Tarling Shines With Successive Centuries At ECB Super 4s

Leicestershire CCC Academy scholar Jake Tarling crowned a week to savour with back-to-back centuries at the prestigious ECB Super 4s competition.

The 18-year-old struck successive hundreds while representing the North during last week’s multi-format competition at Loughborough University’s Haslegrave Ground, finishing the tournament as the fourth highest run-scorer with 253 runs at an average of 84.33.

Tarling’s duo of tons came during the final two 50-over fixtures, with the first struck during Tuesday’s narrow one-run win over the Midlands. Batting at number four, he hit an enterprising 114 (113b), including 11 fours and three maximums.

A day later, the Pathway star picked up where he left off “ smashing a brutal 117 not out off 110 balls. His daring knock included eight sixes, including a mighty pull off Nottinghamshire’s Tom Giles to cross into three figures.

The week concluded with an eight-wicket T20 win over the Midlands, during which Tarling hit the winning run - and a seven-wicket defeat to London & East. The teenager ended the competition with the second highest average (84.33) across the five fixtures.

The top-order batsman joined the Pathway last winter after a successful trial and has impressed for Leicestershire’s U18s with 328 runs at 32.80, while taking his wickets at a miserly average of 10.

Tarling most impressed during the U18’s T20 competition, scoring 236 runs from just five matches at an average of 47.2 and a rapid strike rate of 174.81.

His form was rewarded with a Second XI debut against Nottinghamshire earlier this month, scoring 37 as the Foxes won by an innings and 80 runs at Kibworth.

Discussing Tarling’s impressive week, Head of Talent Pathway, Jigar Naik, said: “It was fantastic to see Jake perform so well against some of the best in his age category across the country.

“The way he handled his approach in a pressurised environment showed encouraging signs for his future. To stand up and get back-to-back hundreds, especially with the way he went about structuring those innings, showed maturity beyond his years.

“We look forward to seeing him channel those learnings for the Academy and the second team here at Leicestershire.”

To see clips of Tarling's hundreds, click HERE.