WA have announced a 14-player squad for their upcoming Cricket Australia Under 17 National Male Cricket Championships to be held from January 4-11 in Ballarat.
U17 Squad confirmed for National Championships
The squad will be led by Melville’s Simon Budge, who has been selected in the squad for a second consecutive year after starring at last year’s U17 Championships as a 15-year-old.
A top-order batter by trade, Budge was the backbone of WA’s batting lineup during the tournament, compiling 295 runs at 49.17, including three half-centuries and a classy century against ACT.
Fremantle allrounder Lincoln Hobbs and South Perth’s Wyatt Wilson have both been included in the travelling squad, after the pair both showed plenty of promise during last year’s tournament.
WA will be coached by Male Pathways Coach Tim Edmunds and assistant coach Brian Shields, with support from current Willetton quick Matt Hanna.
Every match of the Under 17s National Male Championships will be streamed live on the Cricket Australia YouTube channel, while scorecards can be accessed through Play Cricket.
Click here to view all fixtures for the U17s Male National Championships
Cricket Australia YouTube Channel can be accessed here
Reflecting on the squad, Male Talent Development Manager David Fitzgerald said:
“We believe we have selected a well-rounded squad with plenty of talent and we cannot wait to see the boys showcase their skills on the national stage.
“It is an exciting opportunity for Simon to lead the group, his experience playing in last year’s Championships was important for his development and we can’t wait for him to captain the side this year.
“He featured prominently among the leading run-scorers in the Championships last year and will play a critical role in our top-order once again this year.
"Lincoln Hobbs and Wyatt Wilson also featured during last year’s tournament and will play key roles in the squad this time around.
“WA Cricket continues to put time and effort into the Pathway programs, and we have a rich history of strong performances in this competition, and we know the playing group will make us proud with the way they go about their cricket."
WA’s 14-player squad:
Simon Budge – Captain – Melville
Micah Akkinapalli – Willetton
Cy Dyson – Subiaco-Floreat
Zane Gartrell – Joondalup
Lincoln Hobbs – Fremantle
Zed Hollick – Scarborough
Stewart Lough – Claremont-Nedlands
Will Malajczuk- Subiaco-Floreat
Ben Mitchell – Willetton
Joshua Nathan – Willetton
Dylan Ratter – Fremantle
Adam Solomons – South Perth
Korey Sweetman – Fremantle
Wyatt Wilson – South Perth