Local boys represent state

Local boys represent state

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Willetton Cricket Club players Keegan Dekoker, John Sanders, Blair Walsh and Luke Holt will be participating in the in the Australian Under 17 cricket carnival. Photograph — Aaron Van Rongen.

Four talented boys from The Willetton Cricket Club and Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) premier league are representing the state in the Australian Under 17 cricket carnival.

Sixteen-year-old boy middle order batsman and medium pace bowler Keegan Dekoker, middle order batsman and leg spin bowler John Sanders and top order batsman Blair Walsh were all selected in the Western Australian Team.

Sixteen- year-old Luke Walsh played for Western Australia under 15 carnival last season and because of his outstanding performance he was selected in Cricket Australia under 16 development squad.

As part of the talent identification for Australian Cricket, Luke has attended a number of training camps at the National Cricket Academy in Brisbane.

WA state captain and test player Mitch Marsh presented the boys with their state caps.

Wayne Andrews, former WA State player, will support team coach Brendan Diamanti, who is part of the WACA high performance team.

From September 30 to October 11 the boys will face a series of competitions against some of Australia’s best young cricketers in Mackay, Queensland.

Blair Walsh was also named vice captain of the WA team.

Willetton Cricket Club president Ron Kukura said Blair is a diminutive left hand batsman who is very determined with a strong work ethic.

“He has grown up with cricket,” he said.

“His father Mark Walsh is a former captain of Willetton and played state cricket for WA as a wicketkeeper.

“All the boys have a strong work ethic and are very determined to succeed.”

Mr Kukura said The Willetton Cricket Club places strong emphasis on developing its junior team as evidenced by the high number of boys selected.

“On return from the carnival they will be given every opportunity to play senior cricket,” he said.