Victorian Premier Cricket’s rising stars included in emerging players squad
These young cricket guns may have missed out on the Victorian Sheffield Shield squad, but they have been selected as “emerging players” for a program which aims to prepare them for careers as professional cricketers. See the 14-man line-up here.
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Queensland quickie Jack Prestwidge wasn’t included in the Victorian Sheffield Shield squad announced yesterday.
But he will feature in the state’s “Emerging Performance Squad’’ for 2020-21.
Prestwidge, 23, has relocated to Victoria in search of more opportunities at first-class level.
He has signed with Melbourne.
Prolific Premier Cricket left-handers James Seymour and Brayden Stepien, both of whom missed out on Victorian contracts, also feature in the squad, as does Ed Newman, who lost his state rookie deal.
Melbourne University’s Peter Hatzoglou, St Kilda paceman Matt Hennig and Carlton spinner Eddy O’Sullivan are among the fresh faces included.
Fergus O’Neil, the young swing bowler who snaffled a hat-trick for Melbourne last season, is also in the 14.
The squad will train at the CitiPower Centre ahead of the 2020-21 season.
The program gives players from the Under 19 pathway and Victorian Premier Cricket
an opportunity to be part of a “holistic preparation in a professional environment’’ leading in the season.
“This year’s Emerging Performance program aims to provide the selected players with continuity in their respective journeys in the game,’’ Victorian assistant coach Andre Borovec said.
“As has been traditionally the case, there are a broad range of skill sets and experience within the squad.
“We celebrate the fact that this squad provides some players who may not have had any pathway opportunities in the past, with an opportunity to be involved.”
Sessions will be conducted twice a week at the CitiPower Centre under the guidance of Victorian high performance and specialist coaches, taking in areas of skills, strength and conditioning, nutrition, psychology and performance management.
The program will start next month and continue until the end of September.
2020 Victorian Emerging Performance Winter Squad
James Billington, Prahran CC
Dylan Brasher, Footscray CC
Jordan Buckingham, Footscray CC
Peter Hatzoglou, Melbourne University CC
Matt Hennig, St Kilda CC
Ed Newman, Dandenong CC
Fergus O’Neill, Melbourne CC
Eddy O’Sullivan, Carlton CC
Jack Prestwidge, Melbourne CC
Tom Rogers, Ringwood CC
Connor Rutland, Essendon CC
James Seymour, Essendon CC
Zac Sleeman, Monash Tigers CC
Brayden Stepien, Carlton CC