Jason Roy's development into a truly world class talent is the perfect case study for the ECB in how to handle gifted young players.

The Surrey batsman has been in phenomenal form for England in the ODI series against Sri Lanka – making centuries at Edgbaston and the Oval in the last three games.

His blistering 162 on Wednesday was the second highest one-day score for England and underlined his emergence as one of the most exciting prospects on the planet at the moment.

But he was almost discarded at the age of 18. How do I know? Because I was the man who ignored the opinions of all the doubters to give him his first professional contract at Surrey.

There was never any question that Jason had the ability to make the grade. The problem was his attitude and both the academy director and 2nd XI coach both said he was such a tearaway that he would be more trouble than he was worth.

The general consensus was that Jason didn't have the mental capacity to behave like a pro cricketer and that his hot-headedness meant he would never comply to what he was being asked to do.

Fortunately I didn't listen to them. I knew there would be ups and downs with Jason but I also knew that his potential was so great that the gamble was worth it.

At times I wondered whether I had made the right decision, particularly as the bills from away grounds kept landing on my desk after Jason had punched another locker or damaged a dressing room door.

I remember one occasion where the 2nd XI played at a beautiful ground which had lovely terracotta flower pots in a line outside the pavilion. Yep, you've guessed it – Jason smashed every single one of them after getting out cheaply.

I had to sit down with his dad Craig and tell him it couldn't go on and watching him on Wednesday the penny seems to have dropped.

Instead of that fire in his belly being a negative it has been harnessed and is now one of his biggest assets.

And that is my point. Sometimes we need to give exciting young players the time and freedom to mature without criticising them the first time they step out of line.

The media also need to be more patient and resist making judgments on players before they have had an opportunity to grow into their careers and adapt to the challenges around them.

Jason could easily have been thrown on the scrapheap years ago due to his antics but now I truly believe he can become a massive player for England in all formats of the game for the next ten years.

It also proves that good coaching and finding someone who can connect with a player is vital – and that is something that concerns me when I look at young Sussex batsmen like Phil Salt, Harry Finch and Matt Machan.

Now Murray Goodwin has gone back to Australia who is guiding these exciting prospects? I watched Machan smash a quickfire 31 at Arundel on Sunday and it was clear he is a brilliant player but needs some help to iron out a few chinks in his game.

I reckon that I could make a massive difference to his game in just one 90-minute session. Machan is at a critical point in his development and – like Roy – needs the right guidance if he is to fulfil his potential.