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Alec Stewart highlights the English batsmen he expects to shine in 2018

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Alec Stewart picks his five English batsmen aged under 25 to look out for in 2018

As many cricketers return to the nets and begin their preparations for another county cricket season, Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart picks the batsmen he expects to shine in 2018.

With England's Test batting line-up far from cemented, the former England wicket-keeper believes the young generation of batsmen coming through have the opportunity to make their mark in 2018.

Stewart selected five players under the age of 25 from Division One and Two that all English cricket fans should be watching out for in the upcoming season...

SAM CURRAN - SURREY

Sam Curran, best known for the wicket-taking abilities, is being tipped to join his brother Tom as an England player.

The 19-year-old all-rounder is yet to score a first-class hundred but has made 10 half-centuries batting at seven for the Division One side.

"When I first saw him as a 15-year-old he was a standout batter," said Stewart.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28:  Sam Curran of Surrey appeals unsuccessfully during day one of the Specsavers County Championship Division One match between S
Image: Sam Curran has taken 86 first-class wickets in 34 matches for Surrey

"When you go into first-class cricket you have to drop down the order a little bit and your opportunities to score big runs diminishes but he has got talent.

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"He will be a genuine all-rounder and it wouldn't surprise me if his batting eventually overtakes his bowling."

JOE CLARKE - WORCESTERSHIRE

Moeen Ali once claimed Joe Clarke, who scored just shy of 1,000 County Championship runs as Worcestershire were promoted last season, could be as good a batsman as England captain Joe Root.

Clarke has nine first-class centuries in 44 matches which Stewart says is a "good habit" for the young batsman to have.

"I have been a big fan of his for the last three or four years," the 54-year-old said. "When I first saw him play at the Oval (in 2016), he only got 30 odd but he looked a talent.

"I've been watching from afar how he's been progressing. It will be interesting how he goes now that Worcestershire are back in Division One. He has good potential."

LIAM LIVINGSTONE - LANCASHIRE

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29 : Liam Livingstone of Lancashire batting during the County Championship Division One match between Lancashire and Warwicksh
Image: Liam Livingstone scored a double-century against Warwickshire in 2017

The 24-year-old has already won his first England cap, having played two T20I's against South Africa in June 2017 and has been included in the Test squad to play in New Zealand in February.

Despite his age, Livingstone is viewed as a true leader on the field and has been named captain of the Red Rose side for 2018.

The prolific run-scorer averaged just under 50 in the County Championship last season, scoring a match-winning 224 against Warwickshire at Old Trafford along the way.

"He's a good ball striker and has started to understand his own game well," Stewart said. "He looks to dominate the bowling attack and I think he has got a bright future."

OLLIE POPE - SURREY

Being director of cricket at Surrey allows Stewart to view first hand plenty of young stars as they develop their games.

In Pope, Surrey have unearthed yet another wicket-keeper with equal talent with the bat and, in his first season for Surrey, the 20-year-old showcased his talents with an unbeaten century against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.

"He's an exciting talent," explained Stewart. "He burst on to the scene in white-ball cricket and in the back end of the 2017 season he played red-ball.

"He is a 360 player, he can play anywhere around the ground, regulation and gets reverse shots out as well."

NICK GUBBINS - MIDDLESEX

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - MARCH 27:  Nick Gubbins of Middlesex bats during day two of the Champion County match between Marylebone Cricket Club and
Image: Nick Gubbins top-scored for Middlesex in their 2016 Country Championship winning season

Gubbins burst onto the scene in 2016, scoring a mammoth 1,409 runs and leading with the bat to help Middlesex clinch the County Championship Division One title.

However, a hamstring injury hampered further progress in 2017, with the 24-year-old managing just one century in 13 innings as his side fell to relegation.

"He has struggled a bit with injury and that 'second season' syndrome," Stewart explained. "I like his method, technique and his appetite for run scoring.

"He has a solid technique that will stand up against the better quality bowling should he step up a level."

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