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First Contract for Fin
Somerset County Cricket Club are pleased to announce that Fin Hill has signed his first professional contract.
The deal will begin on November 1st and initially run until end of the 2026 season.
The 18-year-old batter, who also bowls right-arm off-spin, learnt his craft at Exeter Cricket Club where he made his First XI debut in July 2021 at the age of 15.
He joined the Somerset Academy two months later.
The former Kings College student made his Somerset Second XI debut in 2022 before making his First XI bow in last year’s Metro Bank One Day Cup match against Durham at Gosforth. He has played a pivotal role within the Somerset U18 age group and has impressed when given the opportunity to represent the Club’s Second XI, playing an important role in the Second XI T20 Cup victory this season.
After signing his contract, Fin said: “I’m really pleased because this is what I’ve been working towards for the last five years. I’m really excited to see where this can take me. It means a lot to me and it’s great that all the hard work has paid off, but the real work starts now.
“I’d like to thank Matt Drakeley (SCCC Head of Talent Pathway) who’s been a great coach and mentor throughout my time on the Pathway. He’s really helped to take my game to the next level.
“Credit also needs to go to Rob Woodman, the Head of Cricket at King’s College, because I don’t I think I would be where I am today without his support. My family have also been incredibly supportive over the last few years. My dad and my brother gave me a lot of encouragement when I was growing up, going to the nets with me pretty much every day when I was younger.
“Over the next two years I’ll be working hard, and the end goal has to be battling for a place in the First Team in all three formats. I’ve got the opportunity to go to Australia this winter to work on my game and my developmental areas before the start of the English summer. I just want to give myself the best possible chance of succeeding.”
SCCC Head of Talent Pathway, Matt Drakeley is pleased that Somerset have secured the services of the talented all-rounder. “I’m delighted that Fin has signed his first contract at Somerset, and I know how much it will mean to him and his family,” he said. “It’s great to see another Devon cricketer transition onto the professional staff and continues to highlight the strength of the South-West region.
“During his three years on the Academy he has shown a high amount of self-awareness and a desire to continue to grow his game to cope with the challenges of both red and white-ball cricket.
“He has demonstrated to other Academy players the on and off field characteristics that we would want any player to hold, and I look forward to seeing him continue to demonstrate these as part of the professional environment.”
Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry added: “Fin has impressed us with his attitude and application during his time on the Academy, and his performances for the Second XI this summer have thoroughly warranted this contract offer.
“We look forward to helping to play a part in Fin’s development as a player and a person over the next two years.”
Rob Woodman, Head of Cricket at King’s College said: “We are very proud of Fin and all that he has achieved this year on the cricket pitch. To be rewarded with a contract is absolutely amazing. He has worked extremely hard and has been very disciplined in all aspects of life, balancing A-levels, cricket and other sports.
“To be leaving King’s with a Somerset contract was a huge goal for many years for Fin and we’re so glad he has been given the opportunity. We wish him all the best for the remainder of the season as well as achieving great things with Somerset CCC in the future.”
