Uncovering hidden talent

Designed to find exceptional young cricketers, the program was conducted in Dimboola, Bundalaguah, Ballarat, Shepparton, Bendigo, Albury and Mildura with two Cricket Victoria High Performance coaches and two Bushrangers attending each session.

Established in 2003 by Bushrangers coach Greg Shipperd, the program aims to enhance the state’s talent identification process, giving cricketers who may have slipped through the conventional pathway an opportunity to showcase their skills.

Placed in two groups, under-17 and under-23, around 180 country cricketers participated in a series of practical cricket sessions held in the various regions.

Bushrangers bowling coach Mick Lewis led the activities in Shepparton and Bendigo, noting the importance of the Diamonds in the Bush program.

“It’s important for us to get out to these regional areas and provide cricketers with these opportunities to develop their skills because they don’t get the chance to come to us,” Lewis said.

“Hopefully, they enjoyed the experience and can take some valuable tips from the sessions to improve their game.”

Joining Lewis, Ryan Sidebottom and Jon Holland also provided tips to players and shared their own cricket experiences.

“The boys started off by telling the group about their cricket pathways which was great because they had both been on different journeys,” Cricket Victoria Regional Cricket Manager Ben DeAraugo said.

“Jon Holland went through a traditional pathway while Ryan Sidebottom impressed at his local club Grand Final in his hometown Shepparton and was then invited down to Carlton Cricket Club.

“From these sessions, we hope that the cricketers will be able to implement what they have learnt to help them excel at their respective cricket levels.”

In other regions, Victorian top-order batsmen Rob Quiney and Marcus Stoinis featured in Dimboola while Australian one-day bowler Clint McKay and new Victorian recruit Chris Tremain went to Albury with Scott Boland and Peter Handscomb attending Bundalaguah.

Promising fast bowlers Louis Cameron and Jake Haberfield held sessions in Ballarat while Cricket Victoria Academy coaches Jarrod Loughman and Tim McCaskill were joined by rookies Seb Gotch and Aaron Ayre in Mildura.

Image kindly supplied by Bendigo Advertiser, taken by Jodie Donnellan.