KEVIN Sharp says seeing a 12-year-old walk through the door and eventually go on to play first-team cricket still gives him one of his biggest buzzes in cricket.

Sharp worked with Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Gary Balance and Adam Lyth in his coaching days at Yorkshire and all have gone on to play for England.

In his various roles at Blackfinch New Road where he is now head of coach and player development, Sharp has seen similar steps made by several players.

Jack Haynes was a Malvern College pupil when Sharp arrived at the County nearly six years ago and he became the latest home-grown product to break into the first XI this year.

It makes all the net sessions, throw-downs, coaching stints and words of advice worthwhile for former County head coach Sharp and his colleagues.

He said: “If you were to ask me what I enjoy most, I do love doing the batting coaching but also what I call the ‘cradle to the grave’ stuff.

“That is about the 12-year-old walking in through the door and seeing him eventually play first-team cricket “I was lucky to do that at Yorkshire with two or three very good players and here, for example, I’ve known Jack since he was 14 five or six years ago.

“He was at Malvern College when I arrived and with the help of other coaches we’ve seen how Jack has come through the ranks. I love that.”

Sharp believes it is easier for a youngster to step up if they already have contact and a relationship with the coaches.

He said: “When you are in the middle of the club, to get the opportunity to work with the young kids and the seniors is great.

"For the players to know the coach when they were young and to then see them at senior level should help their transition.

“If he turns up at a second-team game having been in the academy and he doesn’t know anyone, it makes it a bigger challenge.

“When our young players come from the academy into the second XI and into the first XI they know who the senior coaching staff are. They will have spent time with them.”

Sharp has slotted into his new role, working at all levels on the playing and coaching side since last winter.

He said: “It’s been an interesting year for me because obviously I’ve been used to managing a team as such.

"I don’t have that direct responsibility now but my role is quite generic right across the club now.

“I support Alex (Gidman) and Alan (Richardson) with the first XI while Andy Sutton and Ryan D’Oliveira have had opportunities for their development in managing the second XI.

"I’ve been there for them because it is still early days for them in relation to the professional game.

“I’ve been supporting Elliot (Wilson) with the academy and pathways and I’ve pretty much gone to all the age groups throughout the summer from under 11s to the academy and also women’s cricket now which we’ve taken on board and I’ve done some coaching with them.

“My role gives me the opportunity to work with coaches and players at all levels from youth right through to the first XI.

“It keeps you quite fresh actually. There are different challenges and you manage younger people differently to adults.

“Throughout my career I’ve worked at different levels in coaching. I started at grassroots level and finished off working with the first team here.

”I think the club trusts me to do the right thing and make sure we cover all corners throughout the club. I’ve enjoyed doing that.

“I suppose my role is a little bit unusual in the game. There will not be many clubs who have someone in a position like I am.

“It was carefully thought out and my diary is full of coaching commitments in the winter as a batting coach from the kids through to the pros. I can’t wait."