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JT Langridge: Living the Dream
Since he was five years old JT Langridge has wanted to become a professional cricketer.
He has now spent his first few weeks on the Somerset playing staff after signing a contract which made that dream start to come true.
The left-arm seamer, who plays his club cricket for Ilminster, worked his way through the Somerset Age Group system before graduating from the Academy in 2022.
Regarding his first weeks as a professional he said: “Having worked my through the Pathway and the Academy it’s starting to get more like the real thing. When you get here it’s just so enjoyable. For all those years you imagine what it’s going to be like and when you get here its exactly like you think. I feel in a really good place.
“Everyone here is so good. Although I’ve got to know most of them through being on the Academy, playing in the Metro Bank One Day Cup and for the Seconds, being here as a full time professional is so different again.
“It’s pretty hard work. Today was an early start and we had a running session over at Huish at eight o clock, then we came back to the ground. Next, we went into a gym session followed by a batting session and next it was a fielding session, so it’s pretty full on.
“There is only a certain amount of time until the summer so it’s about me trying to progress as much as I can, getting the work in, building up and being the best for next year.
“The amount of contact time that you have as a full time cricketer is so much more increased. Through the Academy it’s great and you have support the whole way through but when you come onto the staff it’s different again and the sole purpose is to look after you and get you into the best position possible.”
The 19-year-old made his Somerset debut in the Metro Bank One Day Cup in 2023 but missed out on the whole of last summer after suffering a stress fracture to his back.
“I’m now fully fit,” he explained. “I’m a bit behind in terms of building loads and it’s going to take me a little bit longer to get up to full match fitness.”
How does he feel about the fact that his dream is coming true?
“When I was seven or eight, I wanted to bat like Alastair Cook and bowl like Jimmy Anderson, and as I’ve grown up I’ve felt the chance of becoming a professional cricketer getting closer and closer.
“To be told that I’d got a contract after the tough season I had in 2024 was just incredible. I was so happy and just so proud to be representing all the people who have helped me along the way.
“I had cricket lessons at Somerset when I was eight years old, then I did things involving summer camps and played for age group teams all the way up. Ilminster CC probably gave me a First Team debut before I was ready for it to just try to progress me.
“I’ve had opportunities no matter where I have been which has been really good, because without them I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
