Sport
30 October, 2025
State selection for Slater
RISING young Mortlake cricketer Josh Slater has earnt selection in the Victoria Country under 19 team that will play in the Australian under 19 championships in Perth in early December.
The fast bowling all-rounder was announced in the final 14 player squad after a winter training in an extended squad.
“Very proud, it’s a great honour and very exciting,” Slater said.
“It’s been a good pre-season, we got into the full swing of it in June and it’s been full on ever since.”
Training at the home of Victorian cricket, the Junction Oval in St Kilda, has been a highlight for the 17 year old year 12 student.
“The facilities and coaching has been elite, as has training with a lot of really good players.
“Mum and Dad have been fantastic in getting me to the sessions.”
A bottom ager in the team, Slater went in with no expectations.
“I just went in to learn and get better, the coaches told us to keep selection off our minds which I did.”
The tournament runs from December 1 to December 8, with Slater keen to play on wickets that are known to suit fast bowling.
“It will be interesting to see what the pitches are like, it sounds like they offer good bounce and pace.”
Apart from continued squad training, Slater expects that there will be some practice matches for the Vic Country team against Vic Metro and some premier clubs.
Slater has made the step up this season to second 11 cricket with the Geelong Cricket Club, as well as playing in the club’s under 18 team on a Sunday.
“It’s a really good environment at Geelong, the coaching and facilities there are so good as well.
“We’ve got a really good group in the under 18s too, we’ve started well, winning our first two games.”
Read More: Mortlake