FORMER England international Mark Alleyne thinks Palash Joshi can be a force to be reckoned with in this season’s 2nd XI Championship and Trophy after impressing for the MCC Young Cricketers on tour in the United Arab Emirates.

The Young Cricketers, who are mentored by Alleyne, help players find contracts in the professional game and impress county bosses.

The 15-strong squad recently returned from the Gulf, where they took on Middlesex in two T20 matches, a three-day and one-day match with the MCCU Combined XI and finished with a 50-over match against Sussex in the Zayed Stadium.

Alleyne wants Joshi to continue his fine streak of form after he finished as the leading wicket taker in last year’s 2nd XI Championship.

“Palash got nine wickets in the three-day game, which was very impressive. He is someone that really stood out for me,” he said.

“He is the bowler the counties love to hate really – he constantly gets feedback that he’s not quick enough but he is a very skilful bowler. He gets good players out.

“When you consider that is out of 18 other counties, it’s a really impressive feat for him.

“Unfortunately, he injured his knee on a water slide, so he hasn’t played since we’ve been back in England, but he’s a very skilful swing bowler. He is definitely suited to the multi-day format, I believe.”

After a successful tour, the team now turn their attention to Championship action and Alleyne wants his players to take every opportunity to make the transition to pro cricket.

“The tour in Abu Dhabi was the fourth consecutive year we’ve been out there and it’s very fixture-heavy for a preseason tour,” he added.

“It’s good to get out and play competitive cricket, though.

“Very often the talent isn’t in question with boys we coach here – they can obviously play. But, in cricket, it’s about the application and some of these guys might have been misguided previously.

“They might have been in the wrong culture, so my job is to create an environment for them to express their talent in the right way.

“The idea is to get all the players a full professional contract and every one of them has their own merits.”

Marylebone Cricket Club’s famous Young Cricketers programme provides expert coaching, intensive playing schedules and world-class facilities to young men and women with the potential to progress to professional cricket. Notable ‘graduates’ include Sir Ian Botham, New Zealand’s Ross Taylor and England Women’s Heather Knight.