BRIDGWATER Cricket Club's Smeed brothers, who hails from Shapwick, have enjoyed a memorable week.

Will, at 16 the elder of the two, has been selected in the ECB Young Lions squad while Henry, 15, has signed up with the Somerset CCC academy.

Both have progressed through the Somerset age groups, while Will also shone for Bridgwater's 1st XI in WEPL Premier 1 over the summer - Henry will be joining his brother in the side next season.

Somerset academy director Steve Snell said: "Will Smeed is a strong hard-hitting batsman and has made a big impact in Second XI cricket when he has played this year.

"The number of centuries and match-winning innings he has played in a short career is quite frightening, especially when you think he will still be an under-17 next season.

“Will seems to be on a very quick path to the top and when he got his first Second XI hundred I said to Greg Kennis, the team coach, that it would be the first of many centuries.

"With his prodigious talent with the bat, for him to have the chance on an international stage to show what he can do is really exciting.”

Henry has enjoyed a productive summer, helping the Bridgwater Red Sox defend their Somerset Under-19s Cup trophy as well as playing a key role as King's College won the National Under-15 Schools Cup.

The right-handed batsman said: "I’m very happy to have joined the Somerset Academy this year.

"My ambition is to play cricket for Somerset and this is my next step towards achieving that.”