By Callum Dent
Tom Westley is determined to make the most of his inclusion in the England Performance Programme.
The 25-year-old’s stunning form for Essex this term has seen him win a call up to the EPP squad that will travel to Sri Lanka for a three-week training camp in November.
Westley led the way with the bat for his county this season, hitting four centuries en route to compiling 1,642 runs across all three formats.
Joined by 11 other hot prospects on the batting and spin bowling trip to Sri Lanka, Westley is hoping to improve his game further.
Westley, Essex's player of the year, told ecb.co.uk:“That was very pleasing to be recognised by the ECB and be put on to a tour.
“It is something I am very excited about getting stuck into, getting up to Loughborough and then Sri Lanka.
“It will be brilliant to work with some of the best coaches around and be around some of the best young players. Hopefully that will bring the best out of me.”
Although he has led the way with the bat at the Essex County Ground this term, Westley has also shown his potential with ball in hand.
Bowling part-time off-spin, Westley took nine wickets in the Eagles' Royal London One-Day Cup campaign and has aspirations of becoming a genuine all-rounder.
He said: “I want to give myself the best chance to perform out there so I will be working on all-round elements of my game.
“I will be developing my bowling quite a lot because although I do bat in the top three for Essex, when I have bowled well that has affected the dynamics of the team.
“I was one of the leading wicket-takers in the Royal London Cup at one of the lowest economy rates for Essex.
Over the moon to be selected on the EPP program. Thank you for all the messages... Excited for the winter! #sweatinginsrilanka
— Thomas Westley (@Westley21) September 24, 2014
“I think doing that as well as contributing with the bat really helps any side I will hopefully play in.”
Westley, a former England Under-19 international, also has his sights set on a Lions call for the tour of South Africa after Christmas.
“It is very easy to look at other people around the country that have gone on and played Lions and then full England. It is something I would love to do,” he added.
“This is just the start getting on this Sri Lanka tour, but I know there is a Lions tour after Christmas.
“I am going to try and give myself the best opportunity to get on that and build from there.
“It may not happen immediately but if I continue to perform consistently and make people take notice, then hopefully in a couple of years’ time I will reap some rewards.”