Australian Under-16 player Shobit Singh returns from Dubai with another century

Australian Under 16 batsman Shobit Singh is out to heed the advice of former Test star Chris Rogers: “bat time, occupy the crease’’.

Shobit Singh relaxing at home after returning from the series against Pakistan in Dubai.

Shobit Singh had a surprise when he opened his email last Friday.

A leading cricket equipment manufacturer had come calling with the offer of some goods.

Judging by the number of bats he has near the entrance of the family home in Cranbourne North, Singh has no need for more.

VIC SUPER SLAM: DANDENONG TAKES OUT ANOTHER TITLE

JUDD SET TO CAPTAIN LOCAL CLUB IN NORTHERN FL

WOMEN’S CRICKET: AUSSIE SKIPPER’S INCREDIBLE CAMEO

PART-TIME PLAYER HAMMERS CLUB’S FIRST TRIPLE TON

MPCA TO FACE HEAT IN COUNTRY WEEK BUILD-UP

But perhaps he should not have been surprised by the approach; he is after all among the country’s leading teenage batsmen, as he proved this month on the Australian Under 16 team’s tour to Dubai for a series against a Pakistan youth XI.

Shobit Singh raises his bat after making a century for Australia’s under-16s.

In the fourth match the right-hander hit 107, his second century at representative level.

All matches were played at the ICC Academy and it was demanding cricket.

Pakistan won the series 3-2, helped by a collection of crafty spinners operating on slow, turning wickets.

Singh, 16, says he learned a few things on the tour but a few days after his return to Melbourne, the words of his coach, former Test opener Chris Rogers, were playing in his mind like a catchy song: “bat time, occupy the crease’’.

Nervous at the start of the series, opener Singh missed out in the first match, got a start in the second and had another low score in the third.

When he got away in the fourth game, he was determined to turn it into a substantial innings. He started again when he reached 50 and with purpose and poise moved towards a century. There were no nerves in the nineties. Facing a left-arm Chinaman he went from 89 to 103 in four balls, ticking into three figures with a pull to the boundary.

“I didn’t want to give them my wicket. I wanted to get a big score and define myself,’’ he said. “Stay focused and stay disciplined with my scoring shots. The more games, the more experience I get and it gets easier do that.’’

It was Singh’s second ton at representative level.

Shobit Singh has bat makers lining up after a stellar junior career.

The first, 144 not out, came last season for the Victoria Metro Under 15 team at the nationals in Queensland.

The young Vics won the title — and Singh won acclaim after breaking Aaron Finch’s record for the most runs at the championships.

He finished with 320 at 64.

That makes for mellow memories.

“Gave me a bit of confidence,’’ he said. “It was good to find form like that.’’

The heavy scoring led to his selection in the Australian Under 16 team and in a Cricket Australia XI for the nationals. Singh was 15 when they were held last October. His scores were 26, 91, 22, 34, 13, 54 and 71 — 311 runs at an average of 51.83.

This season he’s mixed his representative cricket with a few matches for Premier club Casey South Melbourne and his school commitments at Haileybury College.

But whenever free he’s also played Friday night and Sunday junior cricket for Mt Waverley, scoring 111 in one match. He plays whenever he can.

Singh was born in India and came with his parents to Australia when he was seven months old.

He started his cricket with the juniors at Berwick Springs.

Three years later he was a bottom-age selection for the Southern Pioneers Under 14 region team for the state titles. The following season he captained it, peeling off scores of 65, 23, 52 and 21.

He hasn’t played for the Pioneers since, the under-age pathway lifting him to national levels.

Singh is making his name in the game — and bat-makers are coming for him.

MORE LOCAL SPORT NEWS

OFF-SEASON HQ: LATEST COACH, PLAYER MOVES IN LOCAL FOOTY

MORE VFL TALENT SIGNS ON WITH NOBLE PARK

NEW COACH FOR FRANKSTON TIGERSHARKS