A first-class county cricket academy is to be set up at Oxford’s St Edward’s School.

Gloucestershire have close links with Oxfordshire at youth level, and already have a number of Oxon juniors in their academy.

And now, Gloucestershire will establish a satellite junior academy at the school in Woodstock Road.

The junior academy will take place every week from November to April.

It will enable talented cricketers from Oxfordshire to benefit from regular exposure to first class players and coaches.

St Edward’s School head of sport Richard Howitt said: “We are delighted that Gloucestershire are coming to St Edward’s.

“It’s incredibly important for young players to have links with top cricket counties.

“We already have a number of pupils on the Gloucestershire training scheme, and this new relationship will make the school an important hub for emerging talent in the region.”

Eight Oxfordshire youth players are in the academy, Matthew Taylor, Andrew Tolson, Will Bull, Dan Matthews, Joe Barrett, Miles Hammond, Tom Costley and Michael Beard.

Head of Oxfordshire youth development, Darryl Woods, said: “It’s a wonderful achievement to have eight of our players within Gloucestershire’s academy.

“Being more local means our players won’t have to travel to Bristol during the week, and so will make life a lot easier.”