Squad a boon for young cricketers

A GROUP of the region’s best young cricketers will spend the summer getting specialist training to enhance their careers.

The players have been chosen for the inaugural KFC Finch squad, the brainchild of Geelong Cricket Club head coach Damian Shanahan.

The squad comprises players aged from 16 into their early 20s. It is designed to build on their experiences from the Bar- won Region’s Bakker squad program.

Shanahan said the squad would train once a fortnight at Kardinia Park.

Star Geelong, Victorian and Australian batsman Aaron Finch — who came t hrough t h e Barwon Region pathway system — is backing the program and will be involved.

Shanahan said the squad also would benefit from guests at training or speaking to them.

‘‘It’s a great opportunity for that young group just to put some cream on top of their Bakker squad experiences and have something that goes for a full season, not just for three or four weeks,’’ Shanahan said.

‘‘This is something that I’ve been really passionate about and have tried to get off the ground for the last three years.

‘‘Now we’ve got the support of KFC and the Hosking group, which is really fantastic.’’.

The Bakker squad selects the best cricketers aged 13 to 17 and introduces them to specialist Cricket Victoria coaching.

Shanahan said the aim of the Finch squad was to build on those experiences.

The group includes Newtown & Chilwell’s first XI captain Riley Ferguson, South Barwon opener Eamonn Vines, promising Marshall spinner Kal Dubbeldam, up- andcoming Colac youngster Luke Inglis and Geelong Premier Cricket lowergrade players such as Dylan McMahon, Dylan Hodge and Scott Dixon.

‘‘ It’s giving those kids who aren’t at the Geelong Cricket Club the chance to train at the best facilities and get extra coaching and really help their local clubs out and making that pool of talent even stronger,’’ Shanahan said. The Finch squad: