Dandenong opening batsman Brett Forsyth celebrated his 19th birthday with a raft of accolades last week. By Paul Pickering
IT was a week Brett Forsyth will not soon forget.
The Dandenong Panthers batsman celebrated his 19th birthday last week with the news he had been selected in the Victorian under 19 squad for the National Championships in Tasmania next month.
If that wasn’t reason enough for a Wednesday birthday toast, Forsyth was then named as the first Commonwealth Bank Future Star Award nominee for the Victorian Premier Cricket season.
He then proceeded to apply the sweetest icing to his own cake by recording his maiden first-grade century at Camberwell Sports Ground on Saturday.
When asked to reflect on his achievements earlier this week, the humble teenager from Aspendale Gardens admitted he could not have dreamt of a more perfect sequence.
And while the dynamic right-handed opener could be excused for lifting his eyes to glimpse a bright cricketing future, he seems determined to keep his head down.
“Since round one (this season), I’ve gone out every week and just tried to do a good job for the team, and whatever comes with that is a bonus,” he said.
After getting the opportunity to open for the Panthers this season, Forsyth has amassed 295 runs at an average of 59 – culminating in a breakthrough innings of 107 in Dandenong’s tense draw with Camberwell on the weekend.
Forsyth said he was actually surprised to be offered the opening spot by playing coach Warren Ayres, having made four ducks at the top of the order in the seconds last summer.
By his own standards, 2006-07 was a frustrating season, yet Forsyth believes the struggle has made him a better player.
“I think I’ve matured a lot in the last year,” he said. “I suppose you need a bit of disappointment to spur you on.
“I worked hard on my fitness during the pre-season and tried to get my mind right to start in the ones.”
Forsyth now looks to have cemented his spot in the Panthers’ opening duo, with fellow Victorian under 19 representative Kumar Sarna moving down to number three.
Given that Sarna won the Future Star Award last season ahead of Dandenong all-rounder James Pattinson, the Panthers are clearly blessed with a wealth of young talent.
And while Forsyth’s performances have surely captured the attention of Victorian Bushrangers selectors, he remains typically focused on the task at hand.
“My aim every week is to get a start, just contribute to the team and hopefully the rest will take care of itself,” he said.
In his time away from the crease, Forsyth is studying at Holmesglen TAFE, having graduated from Mentone’s St Bedes College last year.
Given his status as one of the hottest young properties in Victorian cricket, Forsyth’s sports management course may soon come in handy.
