SEVERAL of Mount Gambier’s most talented young cricketers are making waves in Victoria this summer, with some individuals recognised as part of the best emerging country players.
South East juniors Jared Kuhl and Elwood Geary have played for the Western Waves representative team this season off the back of strong form, while an Under 17 Mount Gambier side played in Warrnambool this month.
Kuhl has impressed selectors across the border after he was picked to play against the best Victorian youngsters in the Cricket Victoria Super Series this week.
The tournament gives the South Gambier product an opportunity to be picked for the Victorian Under 15 state training squad this winter.
The chance to shine came off the back of a solid campaign opening the bowling at the Youth Premier League for the Waves, where he took four wickets in five games.
At the Super Series, Kuhl played for Renegades Country and could only manage one scalp during the three-match competition, which finished on Wednesday.
But the knowledge he gained from the high-level tournament will be invaluable for his development as a cricketer moving forward.
Cricket Victoria Greater Western region coach and talent specialist Stephen Field said Kuhl’s natural ability separated him from the pack.
“For Jared it was probably his pace (which impressed the most),” he said.
“He is a natural athlete and will have plenty of ball speed.
“Like all young players coming to terms with his growth and control is a little bit of an issue, but he certainly has some genuine speed and is a very talented young player.”
Although Geary did not quite reach the heights of Kuhl, he also made an impression during his time with the Waves.
At the Youth Premier League the all-rounder bowled short spells without reward, while he batted down the order and scored 31 runs from three innings.
Field said Geary did not receive many chances to perform for the Waves, but believes the youngster has a good foundation to build from.
“Elwood is a promising all rounder,” he said.
“He is an accurate bowler, who can swing the ball and is also capable with the bat.
“Although his opportunities were probably a little bit limited in the YPL, he certainly has the capacity to be a bowling all-rounder.”
The selection process for the Western Waves began last season, when stand out players were nominated from their association.
From there, a 25-player squad was picked and trimmed to a final 13 during a winter program and trial games.
Next season’s cycle has just begun after the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association’s nominated Under 17 players did their best to put their names forward at the recent Country Week in Warrnambool.
Players from 10 different teams fought out for 2020-21 Waves selection during the five-day competition.
Mount Gambier struggled to make an impact as a team and finished last in its group with just one win.
But a few South East individuals enhanced their cases, led by West Gambier pair Josh Cornolo and Connor Prior.
Cornolo took the most wickets in the competition with 17 at an average of just five runs per dismissal.
He was a potent force in each game and collected the impressive figures of 5/15 versus Colac.
Prior stood tall with the bat and was the only Mount Gambier player to reach triple figures for the tournament with 193 runs.
He was fourth highest leading run scorer with a personal best of 65, while Alex Hill also scored a half century.
After ranking each player at the Super Series, the junior Victorian state side will be selected around April, while trails for next season’s Waves squad have just begun.
