IF nice guys really do finish first, then Tom Westley will become the best batsman in the world.

Still just 19, the Essex all-rounder is maturing into a fine young cricketer, while also retaining an alluring modesty and down-to-earth personality that is so often lacking in top-class sportsmen.

Speaking to the Echo at Essex's media day, Westley spoke candidly about a memorable last 12 months, playing alongside England stars Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara and his own lofty international aspirations.

"Last year was quite a big year," said the Cambridge-born teenager, who made his debut in the rain-affected LV County Champion-ship draw against Gloucestershire last July.

"It was more towards the end of the season that I broke into the first team because I was away with the England Under-19s during the middle part of the summer.

"I came back and played in the majority of the championship games which was pleasing. I didn't play in much of the one-day stuff but it was a decent finish to the year for me."

Having impressed for both the Essex Second XI and Shepherd Neame Essex League side Saffron Walden, Westley was handed his big chance by the MCC, who he represented against Sri Lanka A at Arundel last July, scoring 42 in the second innings.

Two weeks later, he was playing championship cricket for Essex for the first time.

"When I played the first championship games I did notice the step up. In my second game against Derbyshire I got 4 and 0 but then I got my first first-class 50 against Somerset and that gave me extra confidence.

"It was very competitive, which was the major difference from Second XI cricket."

Westley also caught the eye in one-day cricket for Essex before heading off to the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia and Essex's winter tour to Dubai.

Before his departure, however, Westley received some top-level coaching from Essex team-mate and England opener Cook - an experience he looks back on with typical modesty.

"It's amazing when you see them around the ground because they're not stand-offish or anything," he added.

"Before I went off to the Under-19 World Cup, Cookie had just got back from England's tour of Sri Lanka but he was good enough to come down to the indoor school with me and work on playing against spin as he had been quite successful in playing against Muttiah Muralitharan.

"I couldn't believe the likes of him, an England cricketer, would come down and help someone like me who is trying to make their way into the Essex side.

"I also roomed with Ravi on the pre-season tour to Dubai and having those types of people around you helps you learn so much about the way they train and play.

"The England players are around whenever possible and are always helping the youngsters - myself, Varun Chopra and Adam Wheater - and we can't believe that they want to coach us and throw balls at us. It's good."

Despite Cook's help, however, he struggled at the World Cup with the bat, but impressed with his off-spin bowling and also when called on as an emergency captain, leading England to a fine victory over Sri Lanka in their fifth-place play-off semi-final.

With those successes behind him Westley, who is expected to bat at number three for Essex in four-day cricket, has his eye on even bigger prizes.

"It was a privilege to captain England. It's something I've wanted to do since such a young age," he said.

"Obviously now the aim is to get into the Essex team and stay there. I also have huge ambitions to play full England, England A or England Academy to complete all the stepping stones.

"I have got to get into the Essex team first, though, and I'd also like to score my first first-class hundred. Those are the goals I have to hopefully build-up and one day play for England."