FOUR local cricketers have been selected for Victoria Country's U19 Male Emerging Players squad.
Jimmy Thewlis (Wangaratta Magpies), Jez Rigoni (Rovers United Bruck), Harry Jones (Rovers United Bruck) and Kane Scott (Beechworth Wanderers) were all picked in the 19-man squad as they look towards December's National Championships.
Yarrawonga Mulwala's Jobe Fraser was also selected in the under 17s squad.
"The squad will train over the next few months and be cut to around 14 before the national championships," Thewlis said.
"It was probably a bit of a shock to be named in the squad as I don't fell like I've had the best 12-18 months but it's something that's been a goal of mine and I'm really happy to be involved.
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"Playing in the champs is obviously the big goal but I missed the under 17s team after glandular fever set me back so I'm just happy to be named in this first squad."
Thewlis said training's ramping up.
“There’s a fair bit of training that comes with it, we’re doing Sunday sessions with Vic Country and they also hold Wednesday’s that aren’t necessarily compulsory,” he said.
“On the Wednesday the Vic Country and Vic Metro teams come together to train because a lot of the Vic Country boys can’t make it but then on Sundays we train in our separate squads because everyone’s there.
“Pre-season’s also started with Camberwell so there’s already a lot cricket going on.
“I’m loving all of the training at the moment, I’ve got the itch for cricket but I’m also aware that it’s important not to get burnt out too early as I’ve probably done that in previous years.”
Thewlis played his first full season at Victorian Premier Cricket outfit Camberwell Magpies last season where he played a mix of under 18s, fourths and thirds cricket.
He joined his older brother Chris at the club who has had a successful career at the Magpies.
“I’m working on being a bit more of a 360 degree player, I want to be able to score all around the ground,” Thewlis said.
“I’ve found the big difference between premier cricket and WDCA is the spinners, people play spin better and they also bowl spin better so working on that side of my game will be really important.
“Also playing a lot of white ball cricket I’ve been working on limiting dot balls by hitting boundaries or hitting the sweepers.
“And then I want to get faster, more agile and a bit stronger.”
In terms of goals for the upcoming season, Thewlis isn’t getting too caught up in them.
“In previous years I probably would’ve said I wanted to score 600 runs and take 20 wickets but I’ve realised that that’s not a good way to look at things,” he said.
“For me it’s just about process, I’m process driven and if I can stick to that and do the basics well then I’m more likely to play good cricket.”
Thewlis said he was stoked to see three other WDCA picked in the Vic Country squad.
“It’s pretty cool that in a squad of 20-odd there’s four of us who played in the WDCA,” he said.
“We all played North East Knights and Country Week together and Jez (Rigoni) and I are now at Camberwell together too.
“It’s nice to have a few familiar faces there and will be something pretty cool to look back on.”
The squads will be mentored by former first-class player and experienced Dandenong and Geelong Premier coach, Nick Speak, former Ryder Medallist and CV Talent Specialist, James Miller, and current and former Victorian players Xavier Crone, Travis Dean and Jon Holland.
