Pomonal junior cricketer Bailey Hosemans will represent the Central Highlands in the 2018 under-14 state cricket championships.
Hosemans made the cut for the 13-man squad that will play in Melbourne from January 15-19 next year.
The 13-year-old bounced back after coming close but falling short at the final cut for the team for the two previous championships.
Bailey’s father and Pomonal Cricket Club president Jason Hosemans said he is “extremely proud” of the way his son continued to work hard and fight for a spot in the team.
“He has worked very hard and thoroughly deserves to have made it into the final squad,” he said.
“He did some training in Ballarat across the winter which helped him a fair bit. He has also grown a lot which has made him stronger which has helped him reach boundaries easier this season.”
He is one of our real success stories of the program
- Gavin Mackay
Hosemans is now a regular in Pomonal’s A Grade side, as well as playing a crucial role as the opening batsmen for the Tatyoon’s under-16 team. He also featured in all three games for the Grampians Cricket Association in the under-17 Kirton Shield.
Central Highlands under-14 coach Gavin Mackay said it was an easy decision to select Hosemans for the team.
“After being cut the previous two years it is clear to see he has gone away and worked extremely hard on his game,” he said.
“He is one of our real success stories of the program.”
Hosemans is the only player from the Grampians Cricket Association to be selected in any of the male teams for the 2018 championships, with teams predominantly featuring players from Gisborne and Ballarat.
He follows in the footsteps of Tatyoon’s Aaron Byron who played in the same side two years ago. Mackay said the team aims to give players from all areas possibilities to play at higher levels.
“The idea behind the tournament is to promote as many kids from outlying areas as possible,” he said.
Hosemans is set to play a crucial role in the Central Highlands team. He is nearly certain to bat in the top four and is a chance of opening the batting.
Hosemans has been in good form with both the bat and the ball so far this season.
Mackay said he believes Hosemans’ recent exposure at senior level will hold him in good stead for the championships.
“Kids like Bailey are pretty hard, facing guys a lot older and more experienced than they are in A Grade competition,” he said.
“it is a great tournament to test see how the best young kids from all across the state match up when they meet one another.”
The Central Highlands under-14 side will play a practice game against the Western Waves on December 10.
Bailey Hosemans’ year so far
Tatyoon – Under 16’s (three matches)
Batting: 81 runs, top score 50, average 40.5
Bowling: 3 wickets, average 6
Pomonal – A Grade (5 matches)
Batting: 38 runs, top score 23*, average 9.5
Bowling: 6 wickets, average 13
Grampians Cricket Association – Under 17 Kirton Shield (3 matches)
Batting: 29 runs, high score 18, average 9.67
Bowling: 2 wickets, average 13.5
