Geelong young gun Oliver Peake pounds two centuries at the under-17 national championships

Geelong’s brightest cricketing prospect has underlined his growing reputation for bulk run scoring with two centuries at a major underage carnival in Ballarat. Read his coach’s glowing appraisal.

Olive Peake raises the bat after a hundred against Tasmania. Picture: Dylan Burns.

Geelong Cricket Club’s brightest prospect Oliver Peake has underlined his growing reputation for bulk run scoring with two centuries for Country Victoria at the under-17 national championships.

Peake, who was skipper and batted at three throughout the Ballarat carnival, kickstarted his campaign with 130 off 141 balls against Tasmania in Round 2, while taking 1-12 with the ball.

There was also an unbeaten 111 against the ACT while backing it up with 3-44, plus scores of 73 against Victoria Metro and 40 against Queensland while averaging 57 across six innings.

Unsurprisingly, Peake was named in the team of the tournament.

Olive Peake raises the bat after a hundred against Tasmania. Picture: Dylan Burns.

Cricket Victoria’s talent development specialist Shane Koop said he was incredibly impressed with Peake’s “measured approach”.

“His demeanour never altered whether it was two runs leg before wicket against South Australia or a matchwinning 130 against Tasmania,” Koop said.

“He provided so much education and development opportunities for his teammates.

“His awareness of his bat path and contact points is outstanding, he just seems to adapt to the conditions quicker than anyone else.”

With Koop regularly asking the squad what each game was demanding of them at any given time, Peake had game sense “in spades”.

Meanwhile, he said Geelong Cricket Club had done a fantastic job connecting players with the country talent pathway, including squad members Zane Attard (from Ballarat), Darcy Aitken (Ararat) and Elwood Geary (Lindsay).

“(It) is a reflection of the reach the club is having,” he said.

“It’s great these regional players and many more get the opportunity to develop and test their skills within a Premier Cricket environment.”

It comes as Peake was named as an Australian team reserve for the looming under-19 World Cup after hitting 236 runs at an average of 47.2 at the national championships at Albury in November and December, with three half centuries.

Victoria Country would finish the under-17 tournament in seventh place, scoring wins over the ACT and Tasmania.

How our boys performed at the under-17 national championships

Oliver Peake

After starting his campaign with just two runs against South Australia in Round 1, the talented southpaw responded with 130 off 141 balls the following day against Tasmania — he also chipped in with a cheeky 1-12 with the ball.

Peake only had two scores below 40, with a matchwinning, unbeaten 111 off 119 rocks against the ACT – plus 3-44 – and 73 against Victoria Metro.

The teenager continues to progress his game after averaging 47 with the bat during the under-19 national championships late last year in Albury.

Darcy Aitken

Taking on more responsibility as the tournament went on, Aitken opened his account with 15 runs coming in at number eight against South Australia.

Elevated two spots in the order against the ACT, the VRI Delacombe CC product smashed 32 not out off just 20 balls (three boundaries and a six) in a six-wicket win.

Then moving up to four against Queensland in the final round, Aitken hit 38 to finish off his tournament in strong style.

“Darcy played his role well in the back end of the tournament, he has a competitive nature and was one of a few players who showed he can access the boundary with some clean striking,” Koop said.

Zane Attard

Like his captain, the VRI Delacombe CC product played in every game and definitely had his moments.

He began the competition with his best game for the carnival, claiming 4-32 off 10 overs against South Australia and producing 46 not out at number seven.

Zane Attard bowls for Victoria Country during the under-17 national championships. Picture: Dylan Burns Photography.

With a next best score of 22, and a couple of two-fors, Attard was a solid contributor for Victoria Country.

“Zane has a bright future, a good tactician that has great ability to hold a game with the ball and move the game forward with the bat,” Koop said.

“Zane was asked to bowl with the new ball, through the middle overs and at the death, all of which he executed nicely.”

Fletcher Grimsey-Cook

The Cats leg spinner started his campaign like a house on fire with seven wickets at 12.2 runs apiece, with mini bags against Tasmania (3-21) and NSW Metro (3-31).

However, Grimsey-Cook faded a touch from there, sending down eight wicketless overs for a total of 63 runs during games against Victoria Metro and Queensland to round out the competition.

“Fletch has huge upside,” Koop said.

“He bowled consistently at the start of the tournament with a great ability to spin the ball both ways with different speeds and release points.

“A tremendous character that will impact important games of high-level Premier Cricket in years to come.”

Elwood Geary

Starting the carnival with the figures of 0-17 off 4.4 overs against South Australia, Geary didn’t get an extended spell at the bowling crease until the final game against Queensland after suffering a hamstring strain.

Elwood Geary bowls for Country Victoria at the under-17 national championships. Picture: Dylan Burns Photography.

The South Gambier product would take his first wicket for the carnival with 1-55 off eight overs against the Queenslanders.

“His dedication to the rehab resulted in him getting back for the last two games and playing a role with the new ball,” Koop said.

“Elwood always keeps the stumps in play with his pace, which is an important skill in white ball cricket.”

Originally published as Geelong young gun Oliver Peake pounds two centuries at the under-17 national championships