VSSSA: North Ballarat's Matt Crouch in under-15 squad

NORTH BALLARAT cricket prodigy Matt Crouch will represent his state for the second time in next year's national championships in Campbelltown, New South Wales.The wicketkeeper-batsman has been named in the 13-player Victorian Secondary Schools' Sports Association under-15 squad to take on the country's finest youngsters at the carnival between February 20-26.Crouch also played for Victoria at under-13 level.The 14-year-old's selection coincides with his debut season in the Ballarat Cricket Association club firsts competition, where he has joined older brother Brad in the Roosters choice eleven. He has produced some handy contributions at the top of the order and a number of dismissals behind the stumps.Crouch has made a total of 159 runs in first grade this season, headlined by knocks of 57 against Brown Hill and 40 against Golden Point. Crouch has also had a good season with the gloves, keeping in the past four matches for a return of four catches and two stumpings.Crouch will join former Gisborne player James Lidgett in the VSSSA team.Lidgett is a left-hand top order batsman who is now playing with North Melbourne in the second grade of Melbourne's Premier Cricket competition.The pair will also be part of Central Highlands' Dowling Shield campaign, which begins on January 18.The Courier Sportz Biz Junior Sports Star of the Week receives a $50 voucher courtesy of Sportz Biz, Ballarat.