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Meet the Academy – Harry Deering
Harry Deering is a fast bowler and right-hand batter who hails from the Isle of Man.
The tall 17-year-old is a pupil at King’s College in Taunton and has been playing age group cricket for Somerset since Year 8.
“When I was about seven my Dad took us down to our local club which was Cronkbourne,” he explained. “I’ve been playing since then and I played a lot in the back garden with my older brother Alex.
“I’ve always been a right-arm fast bowler, although I used to think I might be a bit of an all rounder, but that idea has worn off.
“I came over to England to go to Millfield in Year 7 which was Covid Year when we didn’t play any cricket. Then ,in Year 8, just before Christmas I had a one on one session with Dave Beal who sent a video of me bowling to Andrew Griffiths at Somerset. He then asked me to come down to bowl in the nets with the Under 14s. I bowled just a few balls and was asked to stop because it was too dangerous, which was quite nice for me.
“I then played a few games that summer for the Under 13s. The following winter I trained with the Under 14s and started the season playing but early on I got a stress fracture and that was my summer over.
“I came back and trained with the Under 15s and got onto the EPP but then I got another stress fracture which put me out for the season.
“Thankfully, I got a full season in 2024 and played in the Under 18s three-day games. It was difficult at times getting back but the team were behind me and they made it easy for me.
“I’m now in the Lower Sixth at King’s. The cricket there is amazing with the facilities that are available and the amount of support you get. We train most days as well as during free periods. I’m also down at the Cooper Associates County Ground a lot.”
Harry talked about his experiences since joining the Academy last Autumn.
“I get a lot of gym sessions and lots of help. There’s also one to one coaching with Andrew Griffiths to set me up with the best possible chance of signing a professional contract at the end of my two years on the Academy.
“Being on the Academy is an amazing opportunity and you get to experience exactly what the pros experience. You get to train with them too some of the time which helps to set you up to be successful.”
Harry also outlined some of his achievements with the ball.
“In one of the Under 18 games, I got three for 30 against Warwickshire away. I bowled nicely in that game and I was pleased with that. For school my best figures are five for 16 against Blundells when I was in Year 10 which is my cricketing highlight.”
Looking ahead of 2025, Harry said: “This year I would love to play some games for Somerset Seconds and prove myself as a front line bowler for the Under 18s.”
He added: “If I get awarded a pro contract at the end of my time on the Academy then that would be amazing.”
