ENGLAND Lions fast bowler Jamie Overton was the guest of honour at the Devon Cricket Board youth awards staged at Exeter Chiefs conference centre, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Overton, who was made it into the full one-day squad for the end-of-season Ashes series but didn’t get a game, handed out scores of awards to the next generation of players, all of whom would love to walk in his footsteps.

The former North Devon player who, along with twin Craig plays for Somerset, also took part in a lively question-and-answer session with members of the county youth squads.

Master of ceremonies Mike Dibble looked back on a successful season for Devon in most age-groups, and highlighted the achievements of youth system graduates Heather Knight and Jamie Overton in playing for England.

The U17 girls reached the National T20 finals, where they finished runners-up, while the U17 Boys were semi-finalists in the ECB 50-over competition.

Sidmouth wicketkeeper-batsman Dan Powell was batsman of the year in the 16s team. His highlight was making a century against Glamorgan at Sofia Gardens in Cardiff.

Dom Bess, another of Sidmouth’s stars of the future, was player of the year.

Harvey Sergeant of Sidmouth was U14 batsman and player of the year.