(Photo: Getty Images)

By Charlie Peat

THEY say never go back but Tom Kohler-Cadmore believes that learning from Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance can take his game to the next level after sealing a mid-season move to Yorkshire.

The hard-hitting 22-year-old batsman made the switch after reaching an agreement with his county Worcestershire. And Headingley is a place he is familiar with, after coming through Yorkshire’s junior system before attending boarding school at Malvern College in his adopted county.

“Obviously it’s really exciting for me to sign for Yorkshire,” Kohler-Cadmore said. “It is where I started out with my cricket and I have fond memories of playing as a youngster here, so to be able to play at such a big club is really humbling and it’s nice to get the opportunity.

“Yorkshire is the strongest county in the country, and me playing at the strongest side in the country is going to help me to be more ruthless in my cricket.”

Kohler-Cadmore, who hit the fastest century of 2016, will be linking up with some familiar faces after playing much of his early cricket with Ben Coad and Jack Leaning, both of whom have made strong starts to the campaign.

He said: “I played my youth cricket with Ben and Jack for Yorkshire, and also played at East Yorkshire with Will Rhodes, so it is quite nice to already know a couple of the lads coming into the dressing room.

“I played with Coady in the B team for two years and with Jack in the A team at U15s, so it will be great to be playing in the first team with them after all these years.

“Jack and Coady are going really well. Jack got a big score against Lancashire and we all know how well Coady is doing with the ball. Hopefully I can join them.”

Kohler-Cadmore has made a blistering start to the red-ball season, averaging 48 and the destructive hitter is hoping he can learn from Yorkshire’s marquee players to improve his all-round game. He said: “The main reason I moved was because of how strong they are and how that can help me progress and improve my chances of playing for England.

“Up here they love to win and winning is everything, so for me it’s a big part of the reason of why they are as good they are.

“They have some of the best batsman with Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance so it will be nice to learn from them.

“I think with those guys to learn off you couldn’t ask for anybody better, it’s a big draw for the club.

“It’s very flattering to have them approach me and that they wanted me to play.”

Despite pushing to leave Worcestershire, Kohler-Cadmore admits he will always look upon New Road with happy memories.

He said: “I have had so much support down the years from coaches, players and fans. Everyone down there has been brilliant and I will always look back upon it fondly.”

*This article originally featured in The Cricket Paper’s 16 June 2017 edition | Subscribe: http://bit.ly/TCP-Sub