Victoria announces Under-17 squad

Held from December 1 to 11, the squad will look to improve on last year’s runner-up finish, playing in two one-day and three two-day fixtures.

Melbourne’s Will Pucovski has been named captain, joining Sam Grimwade, Blake Thomson and Josh Hudson as returning members from last year’s squad.

“Will performed well at last year’s tournament as a bottom-aged player,” Victorian under-17 coach Graeme Rummans said.

“He is impressive in the way he carries himself and I’m sure that he will do a good job in captaining the side.”

Named Player of the Series in the Australian Under-19 tour of Sri Lanka, Prahran spinner Grimwade will take on the role as co-vice-captain along with Thomson.

“Sam has had a very good start to the season and also performed very well at last year’s carnival,” Rummans said.

“It’s great to see him continue his development and I’m looking forward to seeing him play over there.”

Having represented Australia at the under-16 schoolboy’s level, the South East Bayside Breakers’ Blake Parsons has earned selection as the squad’s sole bottom-aged player.

“Blake has been playing well at Premier level and is an exciting left-arm spinner who can bat too,” Rummans said.

“This is a good opportunity for him to keep learning and improving his cricket.”

Members of the squad showcased their skills during the phase one pre-season trials, at club level and at September’s Country v Metro series in Cobram/Barooga in a bid for state selection.

After an impressive series in Cobram/Barooga, the squad boasts six representatives from the country.

“The country boys gave the metro boys a bit of a touch up (during the series),” Rummans said.

“It’s great to see country cricket producing some talented young cricketers.”

The squad will commence its tournament preparation this month with training and a match against an under-18 development squad on November 23.

Under-17 Victorian squad
Player (Current Club, Pathway Region & Skill)
Will Pucovski (c) (Melbourne CC, South East Bayside Breakers & RHB, WK)
Cameron Brown (Casey-South Melbourne CC, South East Country Sharks & RFM, RHB)
Xavier Crone (Strathfieldsaye CC, Northern Rivers & RFM, RHB)
Damon Egan (Melbourne CC, South East Bayside Breakers & RHB, RM)
Zac Elliott (Camberwell Magpies CC, Inner East Emus & LHB)
Sam Grimwade (vc) (Prahran CC, Inner South East Scorpions & ROS, RHB)
Ryan Hartley (Prahran CC, Northern Rivers & LHB, WK)
Josh Hudson (Melbourne CC, Outer East Eagles & RFM, RHB)
Nick King (Dennington CC, Western Waves & LHB)
Jonah Koch (Footscray-Edgewater CC, Western Spirit & RFM, RHB)
Blake Parsons (Prahran CC, South East Bayside Breakers & LOS, RHB)
Blake Thomson (vc) (Melbourne CC, Central Highlanders & RHB, RM)
Matthew Underwood (Footscray-Edgewater CC, Central Highlanders & LHB)