By ROY WARD
DANDENONG resident Jack Taylor got the great news while preparing for his VCE English exam earlier in early November.
The 18 year old found out he had made the Victorian under-19 cricket extended squad for the national championships in February.
The 16-man squad is expected to be cut down to 12 or 13 players to travel to the championships in Adelaide in early January.
Cricket Victoria coaches will take the side through fitness sessions and match practice in the coming weeks before naming the final squad in the lead-up to the tournament.
Taylor, who plays Premier Cricket for Prahran and moved to Dandenong from Chadstone a year ago, said he was excited to make the squad and would press his claims for a berth at the championships.
“I found out on Wednesday night, pretty much the night before the English exam,” Taylor said. “It was pretty good and a bit easier knowing I had finally made the squad.”
Taylor attends St John’s Regional College in Dandenong and started his career at Washington Park Cricket Club, where he was recruited to Prahran.
He lives within walking distance of Shepley Oval, home of the Dandenong Panthers, but said he would continue to play at Prahran, where the True Blues have made him feel welcome.
An all-rounder who bats in the top four and can either open the bowling or come on as first change, Taylor is playing in the True Blues’ first XI.
“Chris Rogers has been helping me a lot recently with my batting and has been very helpful,” Taylor said.
He said he hoped to fill a similar role with the Victorian side and wanted to give his all for his state.
But first he has to complete his year 12 exams, which will finish next Thursday.
Taylor said Cricket Victoria was supportive of the members of the side who were completing their VCE. “I have given up training for the past couple of weeks to prepare for my exams.”
