COLCHESTER and East Essex’s Harry Bush has taken the Shepherd Neame Essex League by storm.

And his red-hot form for the Castle Park side has alerted the United States national cricket team, who want the talented all-rounder to play in their World Cup ICC qualifiers.

Bush, who joined Colchester from Teddington this year, is riding high in both the leading batting and bowling charts in the premier division.

The 25-year-old former Leicestershire and Durham player has shone for his new club, in the opening weeks of the season.

And that has led to contact from representatives from the US, where Bush was born before moving to the UK when he was five years old.

Bush told the Daily Gazette: “The US cricket team contacted me and wanted to know if I’d like to play for them in their World Cup ICC qualifiers.

“I couldn’t do it as I’ve only just started a new job and I don’t think I could take the time off that’s needed at the moment.

“But if they get to the World Cup and they asked me again, I would take the offer very seriously indeed!”

Bush has helped premier division new boys Colchester hit the ground running, in his debut season for the club.

The top order batsman and off break bowler, who still represents Norfolk in the Minor Counties Championship, is the division’s leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets.

And he is also the third-leading run-scorer having hit 222 runs in just four games, boasting an impressive average of 106.73.

“I’m playing with a lot of pretty close mates at Colchester – it’s going well and I’m enjoying it,” said Bush, who was born in Los Angeles.

“Last year, I was trying to play a high standard of cricket.

“But I’ve come to terms with my amateur status and making the First Class game is not something I’m actively pursuing.

“Obviously if someone offered me a three-year deal somewhere, I’d consider it! “But I’m enjoying my cricket at the moment and we have a good side with some really good young players.

“I think before I had better skills with a younger brain – now I have less skills but more experience!”

Bush was in fine form last weekend, hitting an unbeaten century and claiming six wickets in their nine-wicket triumph over Harold Wood.

“It was one to remember – I’ve never had a performance like that before with both bat and ball,” added Bush.