Rowde cricket starlet Owen Alsop is set to join county side Middlesex’s academy and has been tipped to make it to the top of the professional game.

The 16-year-old all-rounder spent time training with the North London side last winter and will earn a full-time spot in their set-up if he continues to impress for the Wiltshire U17 side in the coming months.

Dauntsey’s pupil Alsop has enjoyed a fine start to the season with his school and club side Potterne and says he is willing to make any sacrifice to fulfil his potential.

“I was told there will be a place for me at the academy if I continue to perform,” he said.

“I’ve started well and confidence is a big thing but I haven’t played a lot of county cricket yet, which is what I think I will be judged on.

“I would love to turn professional. Ever since I started concentrating on cricket aged ten it has been my ambition to play first class and push the fringes of the England team.”

Alsop made 114 not out for Dauntsey’s against Bath on Saturday and cricket master Shane Cloete, a former South African professional, says he has the skill to make it to the top.

“I think he’s very, very talented,” he said. “I worked with top players in Zimbabwe, like Travis Friend who went on to play for the national team, and Owen is the same type of player.

“I think there’s a very strong possibility he can make it as a professional.”

Alsop will finish at Daunstey’s in two weeks time and will move to Watford to live with his grandfather shortly afterwards.

“There are people I don’t want to leave and people who don’t want to see me go,” he said.

“But you’ve got to make sacrifices if you want to achieve your dreams.”