When he made his first-class debut for Netherlands at just 15, it seemed Alexei Kervezee was destined for great things. A year later he was playing ODI cricket and a year after that he played in the 2007 World Cup as a 17-year-old, one of only five players to have appeared in the tournament at such a young age. Worcestershire were delighted to sign him and quietly thought of him as a long-term replacement for Graeme Hick.

But progress proved fitful. While 2010 seemed to be a breakthrough - he played the entire Championship campaign and made 1,190 runs at 44.07 with three centuries - he endured wretched seasons in 2012 and 2013 (when he averaged just 11.33 in first-class cricket) and was unable to maintain a place in the county side.

He retired from international cricket in 2013 with a view to concentrating on his county form - a decision described as "extremely disappointing" by Netherlands officials - and enjoyed an improved 2014 season when he was the county's second highest run-scorer in a Championship campaign that helped them gain promotion.

But 2015 was disappointing. Over taken in the battle for a first-team place by younger men, he played just four Championship games and did not feature in any of the white ball games; for such a talented player, his limited-overs form - in domestic T20 in particular - is oddly modest. He finished the season working hard on his off-spin in the hope of forcing his way back into contention as an allrounder.

It wasn't to be and, having dropped out of the first team, he was released by Worcestershire at the end of the 2017 season aged 28. He signed to play and captain Halesowen in the Birmingham League.
George Dobell