TRIO TAKE ON NATION
A TRIO of emerging Geelong cricketers hope months of toil will hold them in good stead in next month’s National Indoor Cricket Championships.
Josh Walker, Max Potter and Josh Jackson have won selection in the Victorian under-15 team that will go to Toowoomba for the carnival from July 7 to 14.
They have spent several weeks commuting to Dandenong and Maribyrnong for training with the state squad.
They have also lined-up for Dandenong in state league indoor cricket each Saturday in a bid to hone their skills ahead of the national titles.
Walker will represent Victoria for a second year, while Jackson and Potter are on debut.
Jackson, a left-arm paceman who plays second XI cricket at Grovedale, said he was excited to test his skills against the country’s best.
“I’m looking forward to the experience and getting to deal with all the crowds,” he said.
Queenscliff left-arm spinner and batsman Potter said: “I’m just keen for the experience and the atmosphere.”
With the senior men’s championship wrapping up hours before the junior tournaments, hundreds of fans will be on hand to see them in action.
The sole representatives from Geelong, Walker, Potter and Jackson are expected to play key roles in Victoria’s quest for glory.
Jackson will open the bowling and play a role in the middle batting pair.
Walker, who plays at St Peter’s, is a chance to open the batting and will use his variety of leg-spin and off-spin to collect vital wickets.
Potter will also bat in the middle order and is a key man with the ball.
“In games I bowl at the death and the start, so basically when they need me,” he said.
They won selection in the 11-man squad after excelling in trials back in February.
Potter was plucked from the Barwon Rockets’ Dowling Shield squad.
“I got an invitation to the trials and I just did it to play cricket all-year round,” he said.
The Victorian under-15 team was disappointing last year, but Walker believes this team will fare much better.
“I reckon we’ll go all right,” he said. “We’ve got a much stronger side.”