A sports student from Solihull College & University Centre is gearing up for his second season as a professional cricketer at Worcestershire Cricket Club.
17-year-old Isaac Mohammed started playing cricket when he was 6. He comes from a family of cricketers, with former England, Warwickshire and Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen Ali being a relative.
His uncle used to run a cricket academy and Isaac has great memories. He comments: “I used to use the bowling machine all day. I would just bat, and bat. Once it had run out of balls, I would just constantly refill it over and over again!”
The persistence paid off and Isaac was signed by Worcestershire last season making his debut in the T20 Blast. Isaac recalls it being a baptism of fire: “I was in Lancashire playing for the 2nd team and I got a phone call saying I had to return to Worcester straight away. I arrived at the ground and twenty minutes before the game the captain called me over and told me I was opening the batting!”
He was then picked to represent England in the Under-19 team against India. He hit four sixes in a score of 42 on his debut in June last year. He toured the Caribbean with England and was named in the squad for the Under-19 World Cup but had to pull out after breaking his thumb while fielding.
Isaac says he does turn to Moeen Ali for advice at times: “Moeen gives me advice on how to cope with life as a professional cricketer. Everyone at Worcestershire has been great and there is a real family feeling at the club. “
Head of School for Sport, Phil Trilloe, says everyone at the College is so proud: “Isaac is a lovely young man who is very mature and has been balancing his academic and sporting commitments really well. Isaac has achieved some incredible feats for such a young man representing both Worcestershire and England U19 with distinction. Most importantly Isaac remains a really humble young person and has the respect of all of his peers and teaching staff. We are all really proud of his achievements.”
