Victorian Under-19 squad announced

Held from January 12 to 22, the squad will play in two one-day and three two-day fixtures.

Fitzroy Doncaster’s First XI cricketer Ejaaz Alavi has been named captain of the side and will bring experience from last year’s Under-19 National Championships.

Most recently, Alavi claimed four wickets and scored an unbeaten 91 for Victoria in their Toyota Futures League clash with South Australia.

“The selection of the squad captain is not always easy but in this case we felt Ejaaz was the perfect fit,” Victorian under-19 coach Jarrad Loughman said.

“He is an intelligent cricketer who is courageous and respected by his peers.

“First and foremost, I hope that Ejaaz can contribute with wickets and runs but I’m sure that he’ll also lead the side extremely well in Adelaide.”

Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers Matt Short and Guy Walker have also been included in the 13-man squad.

Eighteen-year-old Short made his Victorian debut during this season’s Matador One-Day Cup where he played three matches and contributed with 30 runs in his first game.

The right-hand bat and off-spin bowler also earned a contract with the Melbourne Renegades, being elevated from last season’s Development Rookie contract.

In Bartercard Premier Cricket, Short has played five matches for Northcote this season, amassing 140 runs as well as taking nine wickets.

“Matt’s been identified as a long term prospect for Victorian cricket,” Loughman said.

“He’s a multi-skilled cricketer who is still learning about his own game but is a really exciting prospect with the bat and his off-spin bowling.

“We hope his experience at under-19 national level and in Futures League will hold him in good stead to contribute to the team.”

Footscray Edgewater’s Guy Walker continues to work his way back from injury, claiming 2-19 from eight overs during the weekend’s clash against Dandenong.

“Guy missed last year’s Championships through injury but was fortunate enough to represent Australia at the Under-19 World Cup,” Loughman said.

“We are really excited to have Guy in this year’s squad as he is a fierce competitor who offers us some pace with the ball and is very capable with the bat.”

Prahran spinner Sam Grimwade will also make his second National Championships appearance for the season after competing at the under-17 tournament in Hobart.

Named Player of the Series in the Australian Under-19 tour of Sri Lanka, the 16-year-old has shown a lot of promise, featuring for the Cricket Australia XI in last week’s match against India where he claimed the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane, who averages 58 in first-class cricket.

“Sam is a naturally gifted off-spin bowler who continues to improve with every game he plays,” Loughman said.

“He enjoys the contest, thinks a lot about the game but above all else he is a terrific kid.”

The 13-man squad was selected by Cricket Victoria’s Youth Selection Panel following the phase one trials in the pre-season, the Cobram/Barooga series and performances at club cricket.

“The State Youth Selection Panel has selected a strong squad for this year’s Championships,” Loughman said.

“The squad has a good mix of skill sets and a nice blend of top-age and bottom-age players.

“The team includes some big strong quicks, a range of spin bowling options and some promising batsmen who like to play positively.

“As always, the Championships will be a great test given the number of highly talented youth cricketers playing around Australia at the moment.

“However, we hope the squad that has been assembled can represent Victoria and their clubs well.”

In preparation for the tournament, the squad will attend a camp in Anglesea and will train with both the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades in the lead up to Adelaide.

The squad will also face the Under-20 Bartercard Premier Cricket Rising Stars in a 50-over match next Tuesday (9/12) with the side being announced via cricketvictoria.com.au tomorrow.

Under-19 Victorian squad
Player (Current Club, Pathway Region & Skill)
Ejaaz Alavi (c) (Fitzroy Doncaster CC, Northern Falcons & LOS, RHB)
Zach Allen (Endeavour Hills CC, Southern Pioneers & RHB)
Liam Banthorpe (Fitzroy Doncaster CC, Northern Falcons & RHB)
Kieran Elliott (Melbourne CC, Western Spirit, RFM & RHB)
Sam Grimwade (Prahran CC, Inner South East Scorpions & ROS, RHB)
Sam Harper (vc) (Melbourne CC, Outer East Eagles & RHB, wk)
Jackson Mockett (Frankston Peninsula CC, South East Sharks & RFM, RHB)
Jonty Rushton (Ringwood CC, Northern Falcons & LHB, RFM)
Gehan Seneviratne (Hawthorn Monash Uni CC, South East Bayside Breakers & RLS, RHB)
Jacob Serry (Prahran CC,Inner South East Scorpions & RHB)
Matt Short (Northcote CC, Central Highlands & RHB, ROS)
Guy Walker (Footscray Edgewater CC, North West Wizards & RF, RHB)
Jake Wood (Frankston Peninsula CC,South East Sharks & RFM, RHB)