Tasmania set to be led by coach Andrew Gale and captain Jesse Willmott at U19 National Championships
Tasmania is set to be led by a world-renowned coach and an up-and coming young gun at the Cricket Australia Under 19 National Championships.
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Tasmanian coach Andrew Gale is confident they have picked a strong squad of 14 players that can compete with the nation’s best at the Cricket Australia Under 19 Male National Championships in Albury this week.
The Tigers best up and coming players will be led by Gale, who also oversees Cricket Tasmania’s male performance pathway, in his first big coaching job since joining the organisation back in September.
With the squad made up of players from right across the state, Gale was confident they would do well despite somewhat heading in as underdogs.
“We certainly are not going there to make up the numbers. It would be nice to sit here and say we are going to win it but we know the challenges that are there with the other states,” he said.
“They obviously have a lot more players to pick from but it’s nice to go up there as underdogs and show people what Tasmanian cricket is all about.”
The squad will be led by young gun Jesse Willmott, with the appointment just another feather in the cap of the talented spinner.
Already boasting numerous second XI caps for Tasmania, along with being selected for the Cricket Australia under 19 talent camp earlier this year, Gale said he was a standout choice.
“I think I’ve just seen his professionalism,” Gale said.
“Jesse obviously has skill as a cricketer but I’ve seen the way his peers respect him and his knowledge of the game. In a short space of time I’ve got to know Jesse pretty well and he was a standout candidate (for captain) for me.”
A first-time captain, Willmott said that he was keen to help the younger players in the squad throughout the eight-days of competition.
“I just want to be there to help the boys,” he said.
“I’m excited to see what I can do from that aspect and hopefully I can learn a few things.”
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