Josh Hartill guides Outer East Eagles to under-18 state championships final

RINGWOOD wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Hartill has confirmed himself as a future Victorian prospect after a standout carnival at the Under-18 state championships.

Josh Hartill on the front foot at the under-18 state championships.

RINGWOOD wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Hartill has confirmed himself as a future Victorian prospect after a standout carnival at the Under-18 state championships.

The Outer East Eagles captain was one of the championship’s leading runscorers with 239 runs at an average of just under 60 to power his side to next month’s final against Inner East.

Hartill’s highlight for the carnival came in Round 3 when he scored 100 against Outer South, finishing with nine boundaries and two sixes in his 138-ball knock.

He also batted through Outer East’s Round 2 game against North East Country to post an unbeaten half-century (59) from 123 deliveries, helping the Eagles finish the carnival undefeated.

Inner East coach Tyson Freeman, who has played in the Second XI at Ringwood alongside Hartill, said his Rams teammate had the hallmarks of a future state cricketer.

Monash Tigers spinner Daniel Scholz sends one down for the Outer East Eagles.

Hartill, who made his Ringwood First XI debut in Round 9, was also a member of the Vic Metro team that advanced to the under-19 national championships final in December.

“His concentration, he just looked a class above, especially on the two days he batted through pretty much the whole innings,” Freeman said.

“I’d be surprised if he isn’t in the talks to eventually play state cricket, especially playing in his own age group.

“He is the best I have seen in his age and he has just looked a class above most of the week so I’d be surprised if he wasn’t among the talks of eventually getting a state contract.”

Ringwood paceman Zac Corcoran finished as Outer East’s leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps, including figures of 4-11 in Round 2.

Monash spin duo Lachlan Treloar (nine wickets) Daniel Scholz (six) also proved to be a difficult combination with their tweakers.

Outer East will face Inner East in an all eastern suburbs championships decider at the Junction Oval on February 18.