A ‘great opportunity’ for Jack

June 23, 2026

SUFFOLK’S Jack Auld says it is a ‘great opportunity’ for him after being named in an Invitational Under-19 squad to face international opposition.

The 17-year-old has been included in a 13-strong squad to play both England and South Africa Under-19s before they meet each other in a Youth One-Day International series later this month.

Jack’s call-up follows on from recently being involved with the England men’s side for the First Test versus New Zealand at Lord’s (pictured above) earlier this month.

Jack, who was born in Bury St Edmunds and lives near Ipswich, said: “I am excited to be named in the invitational XI.

“It as a great opportunity to play against the best players of my age in the country and I am looking forward to the experience.”

The Invitational squad will face England U19s on Friday and South Africa U19s the following day, both at the Hazlegrave Ground in Loughborough, before the YODI series starts on June 30th.

Jack, who grew up playing his club cricket for Hadleigh CC, has featured regularly for the Essex Men’s 2nd XI this season, and took 6 for 69 versus Yorkshire in his last outing.

The former Hadleigh High School pupil who is now studying for a B Tech in Sport at Suffolk One Sixth Form College in Ipswich, assisted with the 12th man duties at the Lord’s Test.

He was one of three Essex Academy players who helped out, although both Sonny Baker and Matt Fisher, who subsequently played in the Second Test at The Oval, were also there for the first three days.

Jack said he was ‘surprised and excited by the opportunity’ to join in practice on the morning of the first day’s play and then assist the players, running drinks, gloves, helmets and anything else they needed on the pitch.

Jack, whose ambition is to play first-class cricket, said: “I really enjoyed it, being around the England team and having the bonus of it being at Lord’s.”

The fast-bowling all-rounder became the youngest player since the Second World War to make his Suffolk debut when he featured in two T20 matches against Cambridgeshire at Ipswich School last June.

His appearances for Suffolk since then have been limited due to his involvement with the Essex Academy, which he joined in April last year after training with the first-class county the previous winter.

Jack, who played for the Suffolk County Age Group sides from U10s upwards, said: “I had no idea I was the youngest until I read it. I was a bit surprised but was more focused on enjoying the game!”

Ben Wallis, who is Performance Cricket Manager with Suffolk Cricket, said: “Everyone at Suffolk Cricket is really pleased for Jack.

“Being involved with the England Test team is very special and something he should be very proud of.

“Jack has been involved in the Suffolk CAG system since under-10s and has worked really hard for a number of years, so it is really pleasing that he is now getting his much-deserved rewards.”

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