New Town’s Jesse Willmott caps off stellar 12 months with another Tasmanian Tigers second XI selection

One of Tasmania’s best young cricketers has capped off a stellar 12 months with selection in Tasmania’s second XI squad.

Jesse Willmott has been named in a 12-man squad for Tasmania’s second XI clash against Queensland in Brisbane this week. It will be the 18 year-old’s second time in the squad. Picture: Chris Kidd

One of Tasmania’s most talented young cricketers is set for his second stint in the Tigers second XI side in as many years with New Town’s Jesse Willmott named in a 12-man squad to face Queensland this week.

It’s been a big 12 months for the 18 year-old who earned his first second XI selection in November last year before representing Tasmania at the under 19 national championships in December and was then selected in Cricket Australia’s under 19 talent camp in June.

Now working as a teacher’s assistant after finishing year 12 in 2022, the talented but humble spinner is hoping it’s the start of a long and successful career in the game he loves.

Jesse Willmott bowls for Tasmania at the Cricket Australia Under 19 National Championships. Picture: Supplied.

“Yeah I’m really excited to be in the second XI again this week,” he said.

“It’s another great opportunity to show what I can do but also learn from some older players and the Tigers contracted players in the side.

“We didn’t win last year when I played so it would be nice to get a win but I really want to just keep learning and getting as many opportunities in the second team as I can and just improve from there.

“Obviously the long-term goal would be to become a full-time Tasmanian player but I know I’m still young and have a lot of work to get there. Getting a rookie contract would be great and then just see what I can do from there.”

Currently a member of the Tigers rebranded development pathways program, the Emerging Tigers, Willmott said the new-look system was giving himself and the state’s other young guns the best chance to succeed.

“It has been really good since I’ve been in that pathways system but the new program has been even better,” he said.

Willmott has become a regular member of New Town’s first-grade CTPL team. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Bringing in Andrew Gale (male high performance pathways coach) has seen a step up with some of the stuff we’ve been doing. It’s got a real focus on trying to be a professional cricketer and its working really well. It has some great resources behind it and we get to every now and then train with the contracted players so that’s always really beneficial for us.”

A regular member of New Town’s first-grade CTPL side, Willmott spent five weeks of Tasmania’s winter playing in Darwin and said Bucks captain and current Tigers player Mitch Owen had been a great sounding board so far.

“I spent five weeks up in Darwin which was a really good experience,” he said.

“I think the biggest thing I took away was just playing cricket in a different environment and conditions to what I’m used to.

“Being able to learn from different coaches and players and understand how they see the game was another.

“Bringing that home hopefully only helps my game. Mitch Owen has been great to lean on for advice and having him play in that first second XI game last year was really good.

“To have that connection with someone that’s experienced it all before and is currently playing in the state team is really helpful.”

Jesse Willmott (right) and brother Tyler (left) playing for the Bucks last season. Picture: Supplied.

One of four siblings, Willmott’s eldest brother Tyler also plays in the Buck’s first-grade side and has spent time playing abroad in Europe, something that he may also do one day.

“Yeah I definitely think it’s something I’d look at,” he said.

“Depending on how I’m going and what is happening in my career but I think at some point in time, in the next few years or longer down the road, I’d love to go away overseas and see what it’s like to play in another country.”

Tasmania’s second XI clash with Queensland kicks off on Monday.