JOE Sayers is becoming something of a globetrotter as his cricketing talents take him from one end of the world to the other.

Having just returned from a tour to South Africa with Yorkshire Schools Under-17s Joe is now set for a trip to Australia with England Under-17s.

The Menston St Mary's School pupil has been named in an England squad which is dominated by Yorkshire players. Yorkshire's thriving and successful Academy provides half of the England squad which will visit the Australian Academy from April 1-17.

Three of the youngsters are in fact under 16 and recently returned from a very successful tour of Cape Town with Yorkshire Schools last month.

Commenting on the selections Yorkshire's Cricket Development Manager Steve Oldham said, "It is an exciting time in the Broad Acres with so many talented young cricketers and I would expect all seven to make their mark in first-class cricket in the next few years."

Joe Sayers, Captain of England at Under-15 level in 1999, goes up to Oxford University in October and will undoubtedly feature in their side next season. Six of the boys will play for the Academy team in the Yorkshire Premier League and Sayers, Gilbert and Broadbent have already appeared for Yorkshire Seconds.

Sayers also made an appearance as a substitute fielder for Yorkshire's first team last season and he has been widely tipped to get some first team games under his belt in the coming season.

The 17 year-old left-handed batsman Sayers is joined in the England squad by Yorkshire's Andrew Gale of Heckmondwike Grammar, Chris Gilbert of Scarborough College, David Barwick of Wilberforce College, Hull, Tim Bresnan of Castleford High School, Dan Broadbent of Rydale School, York, and David Stiff of Batley Grammar School.

Sayers is a talented all-round sportsman and at one time he was contracted to Bradford City as a goalkeeper. He has played regularly for Otley Express (now Otley Town) junior teams and has also turned out for Guiseley Reserves.

Joe played his junior cricket with the Guiseley Club and went on to play in the first team before being invited to play for Yorkshire's Academy side last season.