By Ben Kunicki BBC Sport Online

In the star-studded line-up that is the Surrey team, Rikki Clarke has quickly made name for himself.

So much so that, beset by a series of injuries to key players, England have summoned the 20-year-old into their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka.

His opportunity at The Oval may well have come about due to the tragic death of Ben Hollioake but there is no doubt that Clarke has been worth his place.

With the bat Clarke has already contributed 711 runs, including four 50s and two centuries.

The standard of his hitting has impressed many judges and his strike-rate stands at an impressive 67 in first-class cricket so far.

A career-best 153 albeit on the batting paradise of Taunton demonstrated his power, taking only 180 balls, including 20 fours and four sixes.

Effective

Clarke bowls briskish seamers but has yet to make the same impact with the ball, although match-figures of five for 80 in the recent game against Yorkshire hint at a gradual improvement.

Clarke soon received his county cap

He will need to continue to make progress if his future is to be as an all-rounder but there is no doubt he is beginning to catch the eye of many.

Surrey coach Keith Medlycott feels that even at this early stage, Clarke has the attributes necessary to become an England cricketer.

"He's adjusted to first-class cricket really well and impressed many people," Medlycott enthuses.

"He's as exciting a young player as we've seen at Surrey for the past five or six seasons."

"I don't believe that you have to be a certain age to play for England and he's a very determined young man," he adds.

Clarke's major success has been to establish himself in a Surrey side packed with international stars.

Although they have been weakened by England calls and injuries this season, Surrey still possess an enviable depth.

Talent pool

Clarke has leap-frogged several England U19 stars

This is evidenced by the fact that young players who have featured for England U-19, unlike Clarke, have failed to have the same impact.

Michael Carberry and Tim Murtagh have not been able to break into the Surrey side, despite being highly-rated.

Carl Greenidge was one who was forced to leave after failing to dislodge any of the more experienced seamers.

The fact that Clarke has done so with aplomb is a great pointer for the future.

As of yet he has not tasted the adversity that most talented young English cricketers attract whether through injury or loss of form.

Both Surrey and England will be hoping that he does not hit those barriers for some time to come.