DUNKELD cricket product, Vincent Huf, continues to impress, selected in the Vic Country squad for the Under-19 National Championships.

The squad was released on Friday with the bowling all-rounder rewarded for a strong debut premier cricket season at Geelong.

The 18-year-old said he was excited to make the squad after having so many interruptions during the pandemic.

“I am really rapt about it, we have missed a lot of cricket over the past couple of years,” he said.

“I have missed the last two national championships, so to be selected is great.”

Having played three division one premier cricket games this season and playing the rest of the season in the second division, Huf had the championships in the back of his mind throughout.

“It was always something to aim for, originally it was going to be in December in Adelaide, but COVID disrupted that and there was a stage where we didn’t know if it would go ahead,” he said.

“Then we started back training after Christmas as a squad.”

Joining Huf in the 14-man squad are some familiar names, including some Geelong club mates, and the Cats’ coach will be in charge of Vic Country’s campaign..

“It definitely helps knowing others, a couple of the boys I am playing with, I have been withing with since I was 12,” he said.

“You come across guys regularly who play premier cricket that you play against as well.

“Speaky is our coach, which is great. Having a coach to go up to there, it is great for our Geelong boys and he knows our game better than anyone else.”

As a bowling all-rounder, Huf has a firm understanding of the expectations form him and what will be required from the former Grampians cricketer.

“With me, I know what my role will be with my bowling and possibly playing some T20s there as well,” he said.

“I think we have five quicks in the squad, so managing workloads will be important as well.

“Just for me, it is just about being consistent with my bowling and try and bowl six balls on the spot with some variation.”

The 18-year-old has enjoyed some success at previous carnivals, and believes this year the group could push for the title.

“It is always the aim, back in Under-15 we were the first Vic Country team to finish third and the next year the team won it, so we have definitely got a strong side for sure,” he said.

“I played two Under-15 carnivals up in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast, definitely up there it was very humid and the conditions will be a bit more humid than that I would imagine.

“White ball cricket does make it tricky, only with it swinging around for a couple of overs though.”

With a full season under his belt, a solid pre-season has the Dunkeld product feeling good, with a finals campaign for Geelong likely before making the trek up north.

“The body is feeling the best it ever has, putting in the work during pre-season and we have been managing workloads throughout the year,” he said.

“That was one thing I was worried about, the carnival being pushed back so late, but by the time it comes around, I will be ready.”

The national championships will be played in Mackay next month.