Selman ray of sunshine for Geelong side missing star batter

GEELONG has found an ideal replacement for injured star batter Tom Jackson, with first-class regular Nick Selman parachuted in to make his Premier Cricket debut.

A Queenslander who holds dual Australian-British citizenship, Selman (pictured) has played 61 firstclass matches, largely for Welsh side Glamorgan in County Cricket.

The 26-year-old right-hander comes into the Cats side to face Camberwell

Magpies at home today, alongside fellow first-class cricketer Brody Couch, who returns from state duties. Bowler Nick McGuane and all-rounder Jack Wrigglesworth have made way for the pair.

Selman boasts an average of 26.75 at first-class level, having made seven centuries.

He has also played 19 List A and 24 T20 matches at first-class level.

Selman has family in the Geelong area and after chatting with the Cats he agreed to jump on board, adding quality to a batting line-up that will miss Jackson until at least Christmas after he suffered a knee injury last week.

Predominantly opening the batting for Sunshine Coast in Queensland grade cricket last summer, Selman belted 774 runs at an average of 77.4, with a high score of 196.

He has played three matches with Sunshine Coast already this season and the Cats expect he will be available for the club until Christmas, and possibly longer.

Geelong was short of runs last week against Footscray, posting 225, which was judged to be well under par.

Selman helped guide Glamorgan to its first one-day trophy in more than 50 years this winter, making 36 in the final as his side downed Durham.

“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve personally had in cricket,” he said afterwards. “It’s just great playing any sort of pro cricket and there’s serious players here.”