At the age of 16, Thomas R has become the youngest King’s College, Taunton pupil to represent his country after being named in the England Under 19s cricket squad.

This is for the three match One Day International youth series against Sri Lanka that gets underway later this week.

Thomas, a right-handed batter and wicket-keeper, is the latest in a long line of King’s College pupils who have gone on to gain international honours at this level in recent years.

He follows in the footsteps of the likes of Jos Buttler, Tom Banton, and his older brother James Rew.

Thomas has had an outstanding sporting career during his years at King’s Schools.

Among other achievements, he has been crowned county squash champion and is a single figure handicapper in golf.

However, it is in cricket that he has excelled throughout his life and for the last two seasons, he has regularly played for the King’s First XI.

(Image: Richard Walsh)

Thomas is part of the Somerset Pathway and has been on the Academy for the last two years.

He made his first appearance for Somerset Second XI in 2023.

He also plays his club cricket for Taunton St Andrew’s and scored his first century in the Somerset Cricket League at the age of 13.

Last weekend, Thomas hit 150 for Somerset Under 16s against Berkshire, an innings that included 14 fours and 10 sixes.

He followed this up by scoring an unbeaten 85 for Somerset Seconds, his best at this level, to see his side to victory.

Rob Woodman, the head of cricket at King’s College, said: “Thomas continues to achieve great things with his cricket, being an outstanding wicketkeeper and a smart batsman who loves scoring lots of runs.

“A huge and well deserved selection to the England U19s this summer, especially at the young age of 16, makes it even more impressive.

“The school is extremely proud and wishes him well over the next month.”