By DAVID NAGEL
ENDEAVOUR Hills’ batsman Zach Allen has been confirmed as one of the state’s brightest young prospects after being named in the Victorian under-19 squad for next year’s national championships in Adelaide.
Allen, who made three centuries for the Eagles in under-17s last season, is the only player in the 13-man squad not currently playing with a club in the Victorian Premier competition.
The stylish top-order batsman has made three half-centuries for the Eagles this season, with 89 against Ormond in round four his most productive stay at the crease.
Held from 12 to 22 January, the squad will play in two one-day and three two-day fixtures.
In preparation for the tournament, the squad will attend a camp in Anglesea and will train with both the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades in the lead up to Adelaide.
The squad will also face the Under-20 Bartercard Premier Cricket Rising Stars in a 50-over match next Tuesday 9 December.
Under-19 Victorian squad
Ejaaz Alavi (c) Fitzroy Doncaster
Sam Harper (vc) Melbourne
Zach Allen Endeavour Hills
Liam Banthorpe Fitzroy Doncaster
Kieran Elliott Melbourne
Sam Grimwade Prahran
Jackson Mockett Frankston Peninsula
Jonty Rushton Ringwood
Gehan Seneviratne Hawthorn Monash Uni
Jacob Serry Prahran
Matt Short Northcote
Guy Walker Footscray Edgewater
Jake Wood Frankston Peninsula