The Gray-Nicolls trophy for the most improved schoolboy cricketer 2025 was presented this week at the 2026 Gray-Nicolls launch at the Kia Oval.  Theo Lamey of King's College Taunton received the trophy from Sam Billings of Kent and England; with  ESCA President, John Weitzel, introducing the award in the presence of Theo’s family, the Gray-Nicolls team and selected customers. TTheo was nominated for the award for his stellar performances in 2025. He captained the South West side at the  2025 ECB David English Bunbury Festival for the second consecutive year; during which he was the highest run scorer and also set a new individual record score of 157. As a result,  Theo was the team managers' unanimous nomination as the most promising batter.

Theo then made his first ever double century batting for Somerset Under 18s in their three day fixture against Gloucestershire.  He made 213 off 196 balls which included 27 fours and six 6s before being run out after a stay of almost four and a half hours at the crease. Playing alongside team mates who are three years his senior Theo batted at number 6 in the order and came to the wicket with the score on 201 for four in the 54th over. By the time he was eighth wicket to fall he had taken the score onto 575 in the 120th over. Theo then went on to Loughborough to take part in the Young Lions Super 4, for during which he will be playing in two T20 matches, three 50 over games as well as being involved with two profiling day. Theo is an all-rounder who is six feet three inches tall, lives in Devon and plays his cricket for Bradninch and Kentibeare. Theo made his Second XI debut for Somerset in 2024 He played through the Somerset Pathway system and joined the Academy in the autumn of 2024.

This the 48th presentation of the trophy also celebrated Gray-Nicolls 150 years of hand-crafting bats in Robertsbridge since 1875.