Premier Cricket 2018-19: Fitzroy Doncaster pair Sam Elliott and Liam Banthorpe included in Victorian squad

Two of Fitzroy Doncaster’s most promising young players have been rewarded for a strong start to the Premier Cricket season with a call-up to Victoria’s Futures League team.

Liam Banthorpe plays a cut shot. Picture: Sarah Matray

Two of Fitzroy Doncaster’s most promising young players have been rewarded for their strong starts to the Premier Cricket season with a call-up to Victoria’s Futures League team.

Paceman Sam Elliott and wicketkeeper-batsman Liam Banthorpe were included in the 13-man squad for this week’s series of Twenty20 games in Perth.

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Elliott will be making his state Second XI debut, while Banthorpe last featured three years ago.

Sam Elliott bends his back during the Super Slam. Picture: Arj Giese.

Elliott, the son of former Test opener Matthew, has quickly emerged as one of Premier Cricket’s brightest prospects.

While his father made his reputation as a world-class batsman, Elliott was recently described by a champion Premier Cricket batsman as “one of the most impressive bowlers” in the competition.

He has grabbed 11 wickets in 10 games, also hitting two half-centuries as a lower-order batsman, and has quickly become an important part of Fitzroy Doncaster’s push for three flags in four seasons.

Enjoyed watching young Fitzroy-Doncaster quick Sam Elliott yesterday. As his dad, former Test man Matt, watched on, the 18-year-old tore in and let the ball fly. Vics have picked him for the Future League T20s. He’s a beauty. pic.twitter.com/fsymIUrvyi

— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) January 27, 2019

Lions captain Ejaaz Alavi said Elliott, who also played five games for Oakleigh Chargers in TAC Cup football last year, had performed above pre-season expectations.

“He came out of nowhere almost in the pre-season and put up a massive pre-season … he’s very professional in the way he prepares and he’s put up really good performances,” Alavi said.

“He backs himself as well and he knows he wants to be playing at the higher level.”

Liam Banthorpe with the gloves for Fitzroy-Doncaster. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Banthorpe has shifted between opener and the middle-order this season, compiling 310 runs at 44. He has also grabbed 15 catches and a stumping behind the pegs.

Alavi said Banthorpe was enjoying a breakout season.

“He’s come into his own this year, he’s the vice-captain, along with Vardz (Nat Vardi), at out club so he’s taken on a bit more responsibility, a bit more leadership and I think he’s had a really good year,” he said.

“He’s played for four or five years in First XI and he knows he belongs at the level.

“He’s one of the better players in the comp now as well and he’s backing himself to score runs when he gets out there to bat.

“He knows he’s good enough to match it with any of the best players in the comp.”

Victoria will play six T20 games across four days, starting on Monday.

Camberwell Magpies captain Andrew Fekete will captain the team, while Monash Tigers teenager Jake Fraser-McGurk has also been included.

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