Anaesh bowled over as he nets India trip

Anaesh Patel is one of just three nationwide winners who will be jetting over to Asia next March after success in the Southall Travel Spin Scholarship scheme.

The competition, held for promising spinners between the ages of 18-21 and not contracted to a First Class county outfit, was held at the Leicestershire CCC Indoor Cricket Centre.

And talented 21-year-old Patel, who got into the sport as a youngster with the help of a 'cricket-crazy' father, wants to make a splash in India before returning and unleashing his skills on the local scene.

The young hopeful has featured for a host of local sides in his junior years, cutting his teeth with Wolverhampton, Walsall, West Bromwich Dartmouth, Staffordshire under-13s and Worcestershire under-17s.

As an 18-year-old he left for Cardiff to study mathematics at university, where he featured for Cardiff Cricket Club in the South Wales Premier League.

Now studying risk management in Leicestershire and commuting from home, Patel is settled and ready to return to the West Midland's scene for the 2017 season – after he enjoys an all-expenses paid week-long spin scholarship in Mumbai.

On winning the event – sponsored by Southall Travels and Club Cricket Conference – Patel said: "I am over the moon to have won the award especially as it was a national competition.

"I am really looking forward to visiting India and gaining further experience on sub-continent pitches. I would like to thank to my bowling coach Kevin Lyons (Glamorgan CCC) and batting coach Ron Headley for the many hours they have spent developing my bowling and batting skills.

"It goes without saying that without the support of my parents this victory would not have been possible."

As well as mixing it with the likes of experienced coach Lyons in Wales and former West Indies star Headley (Worcestershire batting coach), Patel has been able to rub shoulders with the likes of New Zealand Test players Tom Latham and Ross Taylor and West Indian great Michael Holding.

Headley arranged the surprise visit of legendary paceman Holding after Patel had been wowed by the 2010 film 'Fire in Babylon' – an ode to when West Indies dominated world cricket.

He was also invited to pit his wits against the Black Caps stars, with Patel bowling at Latham, Taylor and Co in a star-studded net session.

Patel's dad Naresh, a Level 2 ECB qualified cricket coach, explained how his son would become transfixed with the game at an early age – watching stars on the television and trying to recreate scenes in the house, much to the annoyance of his wife.

"We never pushed him but he was always into it and enjoyed it," said Naresh.

"He's worked hard in everything he has done and cricket is the same.

"We're already looking for a local team for Anaesh to play with next season after the trip to Mumbai. It will be his first time out there and to go on a scholarship there will be amazing for him."

Anaesh hopes to still make the grade in professional cricket, citing his risk management degree as an option to fall back on.

"Initially I wanted to be a batsman, but soon noticed that I could turn the ball so I was encouraged to bowl leg spin and have never looked back," said the youngster.

"I really couldn't believe it that I had won. It was totally surreal and I am really looking forward to going to India.

"I think it's important to spin the ball and always make the batsman drive and also to have confidence in your bowling and skill levels."