Zane Newton scores first representative century for Mackay-Whitsundays at Harrup Park

It was a return home to remember for Zane Newton, with the cricketer scoring his maiden representative century in front of family and friends.

A move to Brisbane and a constant dedication to his craft has given a Mackay cricketer a taste of elite-level sport.

Zane Newton sacrificed his life in regional Queensland to make the move to the centre of the state’s cricket program, and has been rewarded with strong form in elite pathways.

On a return to Harrup Park as a member of the Mackay-Whitsundays representative team, the Ipswich Grammar boarder lived out his boyhood dream to score his maiden century on the main oval.

Newton said his decision to move south was paying off for him, with the teenager finding runs consistently.

“It’s my first ever 100 in representative cricket, and it was pretty overwhelming because it was in front of a crowd at home,” he said.

“It was a beautiful surface as well, Harrup Park is one of the greatest grounds I’ve ever played on, and it was amazing especially after all the rain the past week.

“I’m lucky to be able to pursue a career in cricket, and it has been working out for me with a few runs on the board.”

The batting prodigy scored 200 runs across three matches at the weekend, including the 108 runs against Central Queensland.

He was named the best player of the North Queensland U18 championships, which Mackay-Whitsunday won.

Newton spends all of his free time in the nets or out in the middle, honing his craft as he tries to break into senior district cricket sides.

He said the level of professionalism was completely different than what is available to junior cricketers in Mackay.

Zane Newton played junior cricket in Mackay before moving to Brisbane.

“There are a lot of cricketers who take the game really seriously which is great for someone like me trying to do the same, it creates pathways that country towns don’t really have,” he said.

“I’ve been playing in the Brisbane Premier League in the thirds for Western Suburb which has been pretty great, I had to do it for myself to get the opportunity to play high-level cricket.

“It was hard to start with, but I feel like you’ve got to focus on cricket and work hard on what you’re there for, so I just spend most of my time playing cricket and going to the nets and enjoying myself.”