Jonathan D’Rozario wins Vic Country Under 19 cap
The Monash Tigers all-rounder will represent the Vics at the nationals in Perth in December.
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One week, two representative honours in cricket for Jonathan D’Rozario.
And, adding to his pleasure, they came as he was completing Year 12 at St Peters College in Cranbourne (he is hoping to go on to study sports science at Deakin University).
The all-rounder from Lynbrook was named in the Southern Pioneers Under 18 team for the Youth Premier League.
That will put him at state level in January.
Before then he’ll play in the national Under 19 championships after gaining selection in the Victorian Country side.
D’Rozario will go in as a bottom-age player, as will his Monash Tigers teammate Yash Pednekar, of North Dandenong.
The 17-year-old played at the Under 17 nationals last season, but for the Northern Territory.
Last week’s selection was his first for the Vics, and he was chuffed.
“I put my best foot forward in the process towards it, and I was really happy they judged me good enough to play at the level,’’ he said.
D’Razario is a right-hand batsman and leg-spinner.
What’s his strongest hand?
“I like to say I’m pretty evenly poised, to be honest, handy with both,’’ he said.
Dandenong Premier coach Nick Speak will coach the Vic Country team.
Region manager Adrian Jones will coach the Pioneers Under 18s, who as Under 16s won the Dowling Shield and took the Under 18 championship last season.
D’Rozario is one of the players chasing a hat-trick of titles.
He comes from cricketing stock. His grandfather bowled leg-spin, and for many years his father, Shane, played for Buckley Ridges in the Dandenong association. He was good enough to win the prestigious Wookey Medal as the competition fairest and best as an offie and batsman.
“Jono’’ said he virtually grew up at Buckley Ridges watching his dad.
“Love the place, to be honest,’’ he said.
He started his cricket with Lynbrook juniors but switched to Buckley to play Under 15s and senior cricket.
In 2015-16 he figured in a Turf 3 premiership with Shane, father and son putting on 50 for the ninth-wicket in a low-scoring match. Fourteen-year-old Jonathan then bowled Buckley to victory with 5-56 off 21 overs. Shane retired after the match, on the high of flag success with his son.
Jonathan always aspired to play Turf 1 for Buckley Ridges but a move to Monash Tigers three years ago via their Academy program put that on hold. He’ll do it one day. But for now he’s got runs to make and wickets to take for his club, Vic Country and the Pioneers.
The nationals will be held in Perth in December.
Vic Country U19 Squad
Todd Murphy (c), St Kilda
Mitch Davey, St Kilda
Triyan De Silva, Dandenong
Jonathon D’Rozario, Monash Tigers
Lachie Field, Geelong
Nick Gladman, Essendon
Campbell Griffiths, Melbourne
Ryan Hammel, Frankston-Peninsula
Tom Jackson, Geelong
Cameron McClure, Essendon
Yash Pednekar, Monash Tigers
Paddy Rowe, St Kilda
Kobe Smith, Fitzroy-Doncaster
Callum Stow, Geelong
Coach: Nick Speak