DANNY Leech is one of Cheshire's most gifted young batsmen.

The left-hander has risen phoenix-like through the junior ranks, culminating in his senior debut in 2002.

And fittingly, having spent four successful seasons with the county, earlier this month the Oulton Park player was awarded his county cap along with Nathan Dumelow, his club and county teammate.

"It was a really special day for me," said Leech, who has relished playing Minor Counties cricket.

"We've got a great team. I've had so much fun playing for the county.

"Of course there are lows when you lose and don't perform, but I can honestly say there have been far more highs.

"Most of the players play in the Cheshire County League, so we all know each other from club cricket and there's always been good rivalry."

Century Former Winnington Park player Leech has not had his best season for the county side, but has scored three half centuries and smashed a top score of 103 in a fine win over Herefordshire at Alderley Edge.

Knocks of 51 came against Northumberland and Cumberland in the Minor Counties Knockout Cup, as well as an excellent 85 against Cornwall.

Leech, 25, who lives in Northwich, has been in sparkling domestic form for reigning champions Oulton Park in the ECB Premier Division.

The opening batsman has scored an impressive 726 runs in 15 innings, at an average of 60.50.

That spell has included one century - his highest score this season an unbeaten 130 - as well as three half centuries.

It is a marked improvement on last season when he scored just 351 runs in 12 innings at an average of 35.10.

This year's performances have already doubled that.

"I've done quite well," said Leech.

"I've scored a lot of runs in the league for Oulton Park, which the is opposite to last year when I performed better for the county team.

"I spent a lot of time in Australia over the past two seasons working on my game and I feel I'm a better player for it."

Leech is adamant it was always going to be difficult for Cheshire to win the Western Division title this season after last year's heroics when they took the Minor Counties national crown.

He says their chances faded after the first two games of the season were rained off.

But with fellow young guns Danny Woods, James Duffy, Nick Cantello and Jon Farrow all coming into their own this season, Leech is rightly confident of further honours.

He said: "We're building a good side and I'm sure we'll win the title again.

"On a personal note I want to do as well as I can for my county, I'm living the Cheshire dream!"