Geelong Cricket Club has six players named in the Vic Country under-19s side

Emerging Geelong cricket talent will be on display at a national tournament in December after six Cats players were selected as members of the 14-strong squad.

Harry Haunstein and Oliver Peake will both turn out for Vic Country. Picture: Mark Wilson

Emerging Geelong cricket talent will be on display at a national tournament in December after six Cats players were selected as members of the 14-strong squad.

Star Liam Blackford will lead the Geelong contingent after a stint representing Victoria in the second grade, with 16-year-old Oliver Peake, bowlers Vincent Huf and Thomas Neate, batter Henry Melville and all-rounder Harry Hauenstein also selected.

Hauenstein said he was excited to make the squad for the first time.

“I bowled better than I batted in the practice matches, I didn’t make too many runs there,” he said.

“It’s exciting to make the squad, I haven’t made it before, and I’m a pretty quiet guy so to have a number of Geelong guys make it too will make it a bit easier for me.”

Hauenstein is fresh off a maiden century for Geelong in the second grade, and said he hoped to make the jump to the seniors this season.

Oliver Peake made the under-19s Vic Country squad for a December tournament. Picture: Mark Wilson

Peake said he wanted to “soak up” the chance to play elite cricket against some of Australia’s best players.

“It’s pretty awesome to make the under-19s side, it’s just another level of cricket that I’ll get to try out,” he said.

“Obviously playing against kids at the school level and grown men at the senior games is a bit different, so it’ll be fun to test myself against different players from different states.”

The tournament will run from December 14-22, with Geelong coach Nick Speak set to help with the Vic Country coaching duties.

Originally published as Geelong Cricket Club has six players named in the Vic Country under-19s side