GLOUCESTERSHIRE just may have found a gem in teenage bowler Ian Saxelby.

The England under-19 international was plucked out of Nottinghamshire 2nds last season and after impressing on trial with Gloucestershire, he was offered his first professional contract at the end of last season.

Saxelby, who doesn’t turn 20 until next month, showed the greatest glimpse of his promising talent so far on Sunday with four wickets in the convincing Friends Provident Trophy win over Surrey.

Indeed, had New Zealand international James Franklin not failed a late fitness test, he would probably have spent the afternoon as the drinks carrier and the same could be said for batsman Will Porterfield who came in for the injured Craig Spearman and also grabbed his chance with both hands by scoring 74 off 84 balls. This perhaps suggests a greater strength in depth in Gloucestershire’s squad this season which is crucial if they are to seriously push for honours.

Saxelby also showed he can hold a bat by top scoring with 60 not out in the ongoing County Championship match against Northamptonshire.

Director of cricket John Bracewell holds the youngster in high regard, and new captain Alex Gidman has shown his faith in Saxelby by picking him for the first three County Championship matches and giving him the new ball duty against Surrey.

Saxelby ended with figures of 7.2-1-31-4 as Surrey were bowled out for 140 at Bristol, 128 runs short after Gloucestershire posted 268-9 when put into bat.

The win put Gloucestershire on top of group A and they visit Yorkshire on Sunday, who have also won their first two games.