Alex Procopis selected in the Queensland under 19 cricket team
A Sunshine Coast cricket talent has made his first grade debut and gained Queensland under 19 selection despite still being in school. Read his story.
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A rising Sunshine Coast sporting talent has earnt himself selection in the Queensland U19 Cricket team despite being two years younger than his teammates and opposition players.
Chancellor State College student Alex Procopis was selected in the 13-man squad after his performances for Northern Suburbs second grade and will compete at the National Championships in Albury from December 2-8.
Female stars Tarah Staines, Lucy Hamilton and Bonnie Berry were selected in the female side which will play in Brisbane from December 14 to 21.
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Procopis, who is a former Maroochydore junior, has been somewhat of a schoolboy prodigy as he is the only player from this year’s national title winning Queensland 17s to progress into the Queensland 19s in the same year.
The 17-year-old made his Queensland Premier Cricket first grade debut for Norths in round eight against the Sunshine Coast Scorchers.
“It was very exciting for me and it was pretty cool to debut at Kerry Emery Oval,” he said.
“I have a lot of great memories there playing with my Sunny Coast junior cricket mates.”
Procopis, who is also a scratch golfer, said he was excited for the coming days.
“It’s an honour to be selected to represent Queensland,” he said.
“I’d say my playing style is competitive, that’s why I love match-play golf and cricket finals so much.
“I guess that’s also why I’m an all-rounder in cricket because I always want to be in the contest either with bat or ball.”
He said he hoped to improve his game again next season and became a regular first grade player.
“At the moment it’s all about putting together more good batting and bowling performances in Second Grade for Norths,” he said.
“You never really know how ready you are for the next level or two but yes, I feel that I have the game to perform well in First Grade should I get a good, solid run at it.
“I’d like to play regular first grade cricket next season at Norths, but 15 or 16 other blokes will too so the maths is a bit tricky and we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
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