Date of birth – 3 April 1993 Nottingham
Nottinghamshire First Class Debut – 23 June 2011 v Lancashire (h)
After making his first class debut in unusual circumstances in 2011, Sam Wood went one step further and played a full championship match last summer, soon after returning from the Under 19 World Cup in Australia.
Only in the modern era could anyone make as bizarre a first class introduction as Sam did. After three days of a championship match against Lancashire at Trent Bridge, Samit Patel was whisked away to join up with the full England squad and the young all-rounder was nominated as his replacement. He was even thrown the ball for a brief, wicket-less, four-over spell.
The left-handed batsman and right-arm off-spinner had shown his potential when he was a late call-up on the pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi and Dubai two years ago. With 28 needed from just two overs Sam teamed up with skipper Chris Read to launch a violent assault upon the MCC bowlers to steer Notts into the final of the Emirates Airlines Twenty20 competition.
Later that summer he made three appearances in the CB40 competition, claiming a couple of wickets at Old Trafford against Lancs.
Despite England making a relatively early exit from the Under 19 World Cup Sam ended the tournament on a personal high by stroking 104 against Bangladesh last August.
Returning to the UK he was thrust straight into the Notts side for the championship match against Surrey at the Kia Oval and made scores of 45 and 2, as well as taking the wickets of Jason Roy, Gary Wilson and Stuart Meaker.