HE’S Warrnambool’s specialist spin option who is venturing into the uncharted territory of Melbourne Country Week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But Ben Evans is under no illusions about how tough his first taste of senior representative cricket will be.
The Wesley-CBC orthodox bowler, who battled it out with Russells Creek counterpart Joe Kenna for the spin position, revealed a phone call on Friday night confirmed his fate.
“I’ve always wanted to do it at some point. I’ve been in the extended squad for the last while, but haven’t been able to commit to get work off,” Evans told The Standard.
“This year, I thought ‘I’m just going to give this a red-hot crack’. I’ve played against all these guys for so long but I haven’t played with them before.”
The 27-year-old claimed 38 scalps last season en route to a Warrnambool and District Cricket Association team of the year berth.
While he hasn’t been as prolific this season – he’s clinched 19 wickets – Evans’ consistency has been rewarded.
Warrnambool coach Ray Drew on Tuesday revealed Evans’ commitment to training booked his place in the 14-man squad.
Evans revealed he was satisfied with his form and was delighted to be a part of the squad.
“I am venturing into the unknown a little bit but it’s going to be a very good test for myself,” he said.
“I’ll do the best I can and the team will do the best it can. I’ll try to feed off the more experienced guys up there and see what we can do.
“Being a bowler, you have matches where things go your way and matches where it doesn’t go your way.”
Evans said he’d benefited from forming part of Wesley’s dangerous bowling attack.
“Our bowling is our strength. It’s been a smidge down from where we’ve been in the last couple of seasons but we're still going well,” he said. “It helps you as a bowler.”