IN these troubled times at New Road, 17-year-old Aneesh Kapil’s debut for Worcestershire has given the club a little ray of sunshine.

Despite still studying for his ‘A’ levels at Denstone College in Uttoxeter, the young all-rounder put down his books to make his comepetitive bow for struggling County in the seven-wicket Clydesdale Bank 40 defeat against Yorkshire.

While the majority of his elder team-mates struggled to make an impact, right-handed Kapil’s 88-run fifth-wicket stand with James Cameron was the only highlight of the innings.

But the teenager, who opened the batting for Wolverhampton in the Birmingham League as a 13-year-old, also went on to put in a good display with the ball, showing some good pace.

“I thought his performance was exceptional,” said Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes.

“He showed a bit of composure with the bat, displayed some class and it didn’t surprise me that he came in and played in that manner — he’s a terrific young cricketer.

“He did well in the field and with the ball he bowled straight with a bit of zip.

“He used his brain and bowled some cutters which was excellent — I was very pleased with his debut.”

Despite Worcestershire struggling both in the LV= County Championship and the CB40, Rhodes is determined not to get too carried away with the youngster’s emergence.

Kapil, who featured in the university match against Leeds/Bradford MCCU in April, has still to finish his studies and the New Road chief will use him sparingly.

“As long as he is up with his revision then we might have a chance of him being released to play an odd game here and there while he is doing his exams,” Rhodes said.

“He’s an exciting talent and there is plenty of cricket left in the season for him to play.”

Having been compared to former Worcestershire skipper Vikram Solanki by both Rhodes and academy manager Damian D’Oliveira, Kapil is the latest in a long line of youngsters to be given their chance by Worcestershire.

Solanki made his one-day debut at 17, former County wicketkeeper Steve Davies was 18 when he played against Sri Lanka for Worcestershire in a limited overs match and Ben Cox was also 17 when he made his Championship debut at Somerset in 2009.

“We always give guys who we think are going to be very good cricketers a go early,” Rhodes said.

“Matt Pardoe and Neil Pinner are both 20 and Coxy is another, so we do give lads a chance at an early age.

“Aneesh had a great game against York-shire, but we won’t get too carried away, we will make sure that the rusty gate doesn’t slam him straight back in the face the next game.

“We are all hopeful that he can have a good and long career here at Worcester.”