HAMILTON and District Junior Cricket Association players, Harry Austin, Eddie McShane and George Huf, have earned selection in the Western Waves Region Under-16 team for the Cricket Victoria Youth Premier League (YPL) here in Hamilton in December.

The trio were announced as members of the team last week, and each bring different skill sets to the side, as they look to better the results of past carnivals from the Western Waves.

McShane is a top order bat who will be keen to shine at the higher level and he will have little fear of the opposition, as he plays A grade for Grampians, where he has been a fixture of that side for the past two summers.

His form in the local Under-16 competition couldn’t be better, yet to be dismissed from his two turns at bat this season, having retired not out in both games.

The 15-year-old Year 9 student at Monivae College said

“It is a good honour and it should be a fun week,” McShane said.

“Senior cricket has given me a lot of experience and guys like Lachie Field and Vincent Huf are great role models, I have asked them plenty of questions and Lachie is our assistant coach during the competition.

“We are very lucky to have most of it here in Hamilton and I am looking forward to it.”

George Huf is another who can bat in the top order, but it is his wicketkeeping that will be the other main skill he brings to the team.

His only knock in the Under-16 competition has seen him record 50-not-out after opening the batting for College, while his glove work behind the stumps has been exemplary.

The 16-year-old said he was excited about what was ahead of him in the YPL.

“It is really good to get into the Waves, it is a good accomplishment,” he said.

“I just tried to keep as cool and calm as possible in the trials.”

As for the games, Huf said he was excited to learn some skills and expected to rotate wicketkeeping duties.

“No real expectations for me, just hoping to play as well as I can at a higher level and learn some leadership skills along the way,” he said.

“Me and Matthew Gome from Warrnambool will probably rotate the wicketkeeping, depending how the game is going.”

Harry Austin brings a double-edged sword with either bat or ball in his hand as his skill with both is equal.

He can swing the ball both ways and can bat in the top six as a stylish right-hander who has all the shots.

“(There is) no indication yet, I think I will play more so a batsman though, I didn’t really bowl as much as what I thought I would in the trials,” Austin said.

“We know the grounds and the sweet spots in the pitches, so it should be a bit easier for us locals during the games up here.”

The campaign begins for the side with a game on November 27 against Central Highlands while the second round will be played a week later against Mallee Murray, then the week-long carnival begins in earnest in Hamilton with matches against Metro North, Northern Rivers, Metro North West, Barwon and Metro West to round out the competition.

“It makes it a lot better knowing both the other two boys made it easier.