Victoria’s bright future

Melbourne Cricket Club’s Harper has been selected in Australia’s Under-19 squad to face England’s Under-19 squad at the end of the month along with Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers Guy Walker and Matt Short and young Prahran spinner Sam Grimwade.

Prior to the series, the quartet will also be joined by Ringwood Cricket Club’s Rushton at a talent camp at the Bupa National Cricket Centre from March 16 to 20.

Held in Perth, the series against England’s under-19 squad will include a two-day warm-up game, a four-day match at the WACA and five one-day matches.

Eighteen-year-old wicket-keeper batsman Harper noted that he was looking forward to playing in Perth and the opportunity to come up against England.

“To play against the best under-19 cricketers from another country will definitely be a great challenge,” Harper said.

“We’re facing the unknown but I’d say it would be similar to when we came up against Sri Lanka’s under-19s team in that we will get a better sense of players when we come up against them in the first few games.”

After falling in love with the game while playing backyard cricket with his brother, Harper started playing cricket at Johnson Park Cricket Club at age seven with aspirations of becoming a fast-bowler.

“I wanted to be a fast-bowler but I didn’t grow a lot so I decided to take up keeping when I was about 11-years-old,” Harper said.

Following his time at Johnson Park, the right-hand bat moved to Eildon Park for a few years, then to sub-district club Caulfield before joining Bartercard Premier Cricket Club, Melbourne.

Harper has enjoyed his time donning the “Big V” representing Victoria at all age levels including 12-and-under, 15-and-under, under-17 and most recently he was selected as vice-captain of the state’s under-19s team.

“The Under-19 National Championships was a good experience this year,” Harper said.

“It was good to learn from coach Jarrad Loughman as well as captain Ejaaz Alavi as I got an insight into his tactics, the way he sets fields and how he approaches the game.

“I also learnt from Guy Walker and Matt Short who have both had experience playing for Australia and overseas.”

The former Victorian under-17 captain has had an impressive season receiving the Melbourne Stars Development Rookie contract as well as making his Toyota Futures League debut last month where he hit 31 and 47 while also wicket-keeping during the match.

His selection in that fixture came after he posted 89 for Melbourne, his highest score in the Demons’ First XI.

“It was a fairly big jump from underage and Premier Cricket and walking out to bat and face guys who have played first-class cricket was just awesome,” Harper said.

“To also bat with David Hussey for 10 to 15 overs was a great experience.”

The Australian Under-19s team began their preparation in February, playing Papua New Guinea (PNG) in warm-up matches where they played in two Twenty20s that resulted in one apiece and one one-day match in which Australia claimed the win.

“It was a fun week and great to play against PNG,” Harper said.

“From a cultural perspective it was good to see how PNG went about it and it was good to get an insight into how PNG trains and how they are developing as a cricket nation.”

The team will continue its preparation at the upcoming talent camp.

“It should be a great week,” Harper said.

“We get to train using the best facilities and learn from Greg Chappell and Graeme Hick who have had long successful careers.

“It will be a good opportunity to test myself and I just want to enjoy the week and soak up as much as possible so that I can further develop my batting and keeping.”

Harper will be joined at the talent camp by fellow Victorian under-19 representative, Rushton who has had a different cricket journey to the young keeper.

Having grown up watching his dad play cricket, Rushton jumped straight into the game at the age of six at Panton Hill Cricket Club.

Rushton then spent a couple of years at Plenty Valley before moving to Bartercard Premier Cricket Club, Ringwood.

In 15 matches for Ringwood this season, Rushton has scored 278 runs.

Over the weekend, Rushton reached a significant milestone, scoring his inaugural Premier Firsts century against Melbourne University in the quarter finals.

After spending 150 minutes at the crease, Rushton’s 105 came from 141 balls and included eight fours and five sixes.

“It was sensational for Jonty to get that hundred,” Victorian under-19 coach Jarrad Loughman said.

“He’s had a reasonable year but to see his capabilities came through in a final and for him to come out and play positively was great for him.

“Full credit should go to to Ringwood Cricket Club as well for giving Jonty First XI opportunities and backing his ability.”

Through the state pathway system, the left-hand bat and right-arm medium-fast bowler has represented the northern region at under-16 and under-18 levels.

He reached another milestone this season when he earned his first state selection, pulling on the navy blue in the under-19s.

“I had tried out a couple of times before but had never got to that stage, so it was a bit overwhelming when I made it this year,” Rushton said.

“I’m just thankful to everyone that helped me out.”

“Jonty’s improvement lies within his attitude and desire to get better,” Loughman said.

“After not making the under-19s side in his bottom-age year, Jonty has gotten stronger, he had a decent pathway series and spent a full year in Premier Cricket which has improved his all-round skills.”

In five matches at the National Championships, Rushton made 144 runs, with his highest score being a 71 in his first ever hit out for Victoria.

“It was great playing for Victoria and now I’m really looking forward to going to the talent camp and being around that set up,” Rushton said.

“Hopefully I can bring back what I learn from the camp to Premier Cricket.”

Loughman noted that the talent camp would provide Rushton with a good chance to showcase his skills ahead of further under-19 opportunities throughout the year, including a reciprocal tour to the United Kingdom.

“The talent camp will be a terrific opportunity for Jonty, who is a talented three dimensional player that bats, bowls and fields well,” Loughman said.

“To go up there and train a level up in a high performance environment and to get exposure to different coaches, hopefully he can get a lot out of it.”

The talent camp and tour also gives Australia’s best young cricketers an opportunity to showcase their skills in the lead-up to the 2016 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup selection.

We wish Sam, Jonty, Guy, Matt and Sam Grimwade the best of luck over the next month.