A promising young cricketer has decided to play for Norfolk instead of Suffolk after both counties offered him a place on their U13 teams.However, Liam Fairweather, 12, from Thornham Magna, insists that neither county rivalry, nor the level of coaching, were to blame for his choice, writes Howard Lloyd.

A promising young cricketer has decided to play for Norfolk instead of Suffolk after both counties offered him a place on their U13 teams.

However, Liam Fairweather, 12, from Thornham Magna, insists that neither county rivalry, nor the level of coaching, were to blame for his choice, writes Howard Lloyd.

Liam said: 'To be honest, it had nothing to do with rivalry, or the standard of coaching because both of them are very similar.

'I chose Norfolk because I felt the coaching staff knew me a bit better.'

The left-arm bowler, who is also handy with the bat, cites England bowler Stuart Broad as the current player he admires the most.

Liam was also complimentary about the standard of cricket he encounters when he plays men's cricket for Mellis Cricket Club.

'The standard is very high. Sometimes you come across really good players. I definitely enjoy playing for them, and there's lots of respect between the two of us.'

Despite already notching two hat-tricks, however, as well as captaining the Hartismere High

School team for his year group, the youngster is modest about his success, claiming:

'People might call it skill, but I prefer to think of myself as being very lucky.'

Norfolk County Cricket Club has also invited Liam on a tour of one of England's fiercest cricketing rivals, Australia, next April.

Upon being asked whether he might one day represent England at senior level and find himself competing for the Ashes, Liam responded: 'Well, you never know. I'm just focusing on playing with the top players in the county first.'