SIX south-west cricketers are preparing for face-to-face training and matches as Cricket Victoria seeks opportunities for its emerging players amid the coronavirus landscape.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
West Warrnambool's Fletcher Cozens and Grampians' Vincent Huf are in the Vic Country under 17 male squad.
Milly Illingworth (Heytesbury Rebels), Hannah Rooke (Brierly Christ-Church), Maddie Green (Port Fairy) and Lila Wilkinson (Merrivale) are part of the Vic Country under 16 female program.
The pandemic has put national championships on the back-burner but Cricket Victoria, which has run online sessions for the teenagers, is working towards face-to-face training and matches.
Cozens, who lives in Hawkesdale, is preparing to play for Vic Country in familiar surrounds.
Cricket Victoria is planning a four-match under 17 representative tournament in Hamilton and Dunkeld in January, subject to coronavirus restrictions, featuring Vic Metro, Vic Country and South Australia.
Cricket Victoria and South Australian Cricket Association are working together to provide "match opportunities for the selected players to develop and showcase their talents".
"We're working to ensure the players are given the opportunity to compete in a national championship style environment," Cricket Victoria's Jarrad Loughman said.
Cozens, 16, said he hoped everything fell into place and he could play just down the road from home in January.
"It's not too far to drive for the parents and it's good to have some representative cricket as Western Waves got cancelled so it would be good if I got in," he said.
Cozens said the under 17 squad would be split into three teams - Vic Country, Vic Metro and combination - for the tournament.
"It is a good opportunity to showcase your skills," he said.
"I want to try and play against kids of my own ability and test my skills."
The girls' squad is working towards potential matches against New South Wales in Wodonga in January.