SBHS lad chosen for Sri Lanka tour

CLUB CRICKET

Logan Savory Southland Boys’ High School wicketkeeper-batsman Hamish O’brien has been selected in the Willows Cricket Club’s team to tour Sri Lanka in April.

The Willows Cricket Club is based just outside of Christchurch and was formed in 1994 to help foster cricket and its traditions.

The prestigious countryside club forms teams on a regular basis – which include ex-pat firstclass players – to play mainly against secondary school teams from throughout the country. From those games the club has selected teams to give young players the opportunity to tour overseas. O’brien was one of four players from the Otago under-18 team to make the Willows team that will head to Sri Lanka in April. The other three players are from Otago Boys’ High School.

Fellow Southlander Jacob Duffy would have also been considered for the tour.

However, it is hopeful he will be preparing for the under-19 World Cup in Australia during the New Zealand winter.

Duffy is currently in the process of trialing for the New Zealand under-19 with the squad expected to be sorted by next Friday.

In 2008 Southland’s Ryan Duffy, Jacob’s older brother, was selected for a Willows Club tour in India, also playing visiting teams from Sri Lanka and England.

Another young Southland cricketer who has benefited from the Willows Cricket Club concept is Hamish Cooke.

The 18-year-old received a scholarship to play in England during the New Zealand winter and will leave in April following the Southland season.

Southland Boys’ High School will take on the Willows Cricket Club in their annual fixture this Sunday.