Scott McKechnie hopes winning a one-year contract with MCC Young Cricketers will lead to a career in the sport.

The 20-year-old Salford-born batsman-wicketkeeper joins the new intake at Lord’s on April 1, which includes two famous sporting sons Liam Gough, son of former Yorkshire and England fast bowler Darren, and Jamie Hoddle, son of the former England manager Glenn.

McKechnie, who lives at New Ash Green, and plays in the Shepherd Neame Kent Premier League for Hartley, was a late starter in the game.

He said: "I played football, cricket and badminton until I was 12 and only took up cricket after watching my stepfather play a few village games and thinking ‘I could do that’."

He has played 2nd XI matches for several counties including Kent, Essex and Durham, as well as working with Simon Willis and Phil Relf at the St Lawrence Ground.

McKechnie’s first MCC Young Cricketers trial – at Lancashire two years ago – was washed out but he is preparing for his first trip, a 10-day visit to Abu Dhabi, which begins next week and includes games against Lancashire and Durham

He said: "It’s a one-year rolling contract and I am looking forward to it.

"It gives me something to build toward and I see it as a step in the right direction."