Mickleburgh has been a regular for Essex this season

Former England captain Graham Gooch says Norwich-born batsman Jaik Mickleburgh has a bright future in first-class cricket.

The 20-year-old has broken into the Essex first team this season and scored his debut first-class century against Durham, hitting 174.

Gooch told BBC Radio Norfolk: "He's still very young but I'm predicting big things for him.

"He's a very switched on lad and is a very good technical player," he said.

The batsman has previously played for Horsford CC in the East Anglian Premier League and has represented Norfolk in Minor Counties cricket.

He top-scored with 75 in Norfolk's MCCA Trophy semi-final against Devon in 2008.

He works hard at his game and I'm predicting big things for him Essex batting coach Graham Gooch

Mickleburgh made his first-class debut in the same year for Essex against Leicestershire and scored 60 as his team won by an innings.

Gooch - now the Essex batting coach - is impressed with Mickleburgh's start in the first-class game.

"He's another guy who has come through our academy system," he said.

"He's broken into our first team this year, got a brilliant big hundred at Durham a few weeks back and we expect him to have a very bright future."

Mickleburgh has played in all of Essex's matches so far in the 2010 season and is expected to feature in their CB40 match in the Netherlands on Friday, 21 May.

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