Matt Crouch named in Vic u-17 team

BALLARAT cricketer Matt Crouch will represent Victoria on the national stage next month.Crouch has been named in a 13-man squad for next month’s Cricket Australia under-17 national championships in Hobart.This is the second consecutive year Crouch has been called up for the week-long tournament.Crouch, a North Ballarat junior, is in his second season with Victorian Premier Cricket club Melbourne.The wicketkeeper/batsman made his firsts debut a fortnight ago, pulling on the gloves against St Kilda after a string of promising performances in the Melbourne seconds.North Ballarat Cricket Club president Greg Spratling said it was exciting to see Crouch doing so well with his cricket.“Matt’s a great kid. We’re pretty proud of him,” Spratling said.Crouch was 14 when he made his Ballarat Cricket Association A-grade debut with the Roosters.Gisborne left-handed top-order bat James Lidgett and 14-year-old Gisborne all-rounder Jack Baker have also been named in the Victorian under-17 squad. Crouch and Lidgett are members of the Central Highlands under-18 boys’ squad and Baker, who is also eligible for the state under-15s, is in the Highlanders’ under-16 Dowling Shield squad this season.Cricket Victoria’s youth selection panel finalised the team after a final hit-out at Dandenong last weekend.Victoria’s under-17s will be coached by state selector and former Victorian and New South Wales batsman Graeme Rummans.