KING”S College student Thomas R is heading off to South Africa after being named in the 18-player cricket squad for an England Men U19s training camp in preparation for the upcoming series against the Proteas early in 2025.

Thomas has been a pupil at King’s Schools since joining King’s Hall in 2011 aged four and has played for Somerset teams since under 10s , before joining the Academy in 2021,

This selection rounds off a hugely successful year for the wicket-keeper/batter who doesn’t celebrate his 17th birthday until 29th November.

During last summer Thomas played in all the Somerset Second XI T20 games and was a member of the team that lifted the Second XI T20 Cup. He averaged 112.66 in Second XI Championship cricket which included his maiden Somerset Second XI century against Gloucestershire.

Thomas made his England Under 19 debut in a One Day International against Sri Lanka at Hove in July and was appointed captain for the tri-series against Scotland and Ireland in September at Loughborough, where England won all four matches. 

In the Under18s Super 4s Thomas captained the South and West team to the T20 championship, and he hit an impressive 110 off 56 balls in a 50 over match against the North in the same tournament . 

Thomas plays his club cricket for Taunton St Andrews and during 2024 scored his maiden West of England Premier League One century when he scored 124 against Frocester.

In addition to his cricketing success Thomas is a highly talented sporting all rounder. In 2023 he was the South West under 17 Regional squash champion, and National Schools U18 Plate winner playing for King’s College.

In hockey Thomas reached the under 16s National Finals day with Taunton Vale in 2024, in addition to which he plays for King’s First XI . In golf he has represented Somerset junior teams at under 12, 14 and 16 level and currently enjoys a handicap of 4.6.

The England Under 19s tour to South Africa in early 2025 commences with a one day warm up game against Western Province Under 19s at Cape Town on 14th January. 

This is followed by three Youth One Day Internationals starting on 17th, 19th and 22nd January, all of which are in Cape Town. England then travel to Stellenbosch for the first Under 19 unofficial Test match, the opening day of four of which is on 27th January.