Batsman to face spinners of India

DAMIEN Mortimer grew up watching his cricket heroes face the spinners of India, but he never dreamed of doing the same thing at just 18 years of age.

Teen in a spin for Indian tour

DAMIEN Mortimer grew up watching his cricket heroes face the spinners of India, but he never dreamed of doing the same thing at just 18 years of age.

The talented batsman, of Denham Court, has been ­selected for the Australian under-19 national side to tour India next month and will face India, South Africa and Zimbabwe in a series of 50-over matches.

The Campbelltown-Camden District Cricket Club player said selection was a dream come true.

"I'm so honoured to be selected for another international tour with the under-19s, and it's another opportunity to try and prove myself against the world's best cricketers of our age group," he said.

"Touring India is something you dream of as a young cricketer and to do it at only 18 is incredible.

Mortimer said his inspiration for facing India's spin bowlers was West Indian hero Brian Lara.

"(He) was the best there was at facing spin and that's something I'll have to deal with when I bat there. Spin is incredibly tough to play, but it's a part of our game," he said.

Mortimer captained the under-19s during their victorious tour of New Zealand in April. He said selection in the national side for the 2014 ICC under-19 World Cup in Dubai was his next goal.

"The tour is our focus, but when we get back it will be getting a squad together for the World Cup and hopefully I'm in it."

Former Australian captain and Cricket Australia national talent manager Greg Chappell praised Mortimer's ability.

"(He's) a solid and pugnacious top-order batsman. Damien is very determined to make it as a cricketer," he said.