IT’S usually a good sign at 15 years old when you’re highly rated by multiple clubs.
That’s the case for Mildura’s Jack Probert, who is emerging as a leg spinning talent to keep an eye on.
Like a number of other Sunraysia youngsters, the Mildura West junior is splitting time between his home club and South Australia, where he has played for Port Adelaide’s Under 16 side.
He also recently took to the field for Eastern Comets in the Under 17 division of the Adelaide Premier League, a franchise-style Twenty20 tournament.
West senior coach Chris Williams believes the young all-rounder has plenty of ability and could be in line for a First Division debut in 2023.
The teenager, however, is taking it all in his stride and is continuing to put the hard work into his game.
“I can be a bit loose some times and go for a few more runs but I generally try to take wickets,” he said.
“They play a lot more longer form competition over there (Adelaide) as well, which has been good.
“I’ve gotten to bowl a lot more overs as well which has been good fun. A lot of the pitches have turned a bit more.
“The APL was a good experience, a good competition, one I got drafted into. The batsmen definitely try to go after you a bit more.
“I’d like to play higher levels as I get older, that would be great.”
As much as he has enjoyed the experience of playing in South Australia, with the Under 18 Shield also coming up, he still has eyes on making his top grade breakthrough at Mildura West.
“Hopefully I can make my way in,” he said.
“‘Willo’ is really good, he’s obviously really experienced and he’s been a really good coach. Shane Driscoll coached me for a couple years and Jeremy Blake coached me last year in Under 16s as well and they’ve been really good for my development.”
Williams said Probert is in the mix for a senior debut for his club.
“He’s a young leg spinner who we rate really highly and someone we’re keen to give some first team opportunities too when it suits,” he said.
“We had thought about giving him a debut against Nichols Point (in the final game of 2022) but the ground having such a short square leg boundary we didn’t want to heap that kind of pressure on him.
“We’ll work with Port Adelaide when it comes to his development, we won’t be selfish with him because we want to see him do well no matter where he plays.”
