REPRESENTATIVE cricket and facing older opponents has worked wonders for Josh Driscoll’s confidence.
The talented all-rounder has just turned 13 but is already looking solid as an opening batsman for Mildura West’s second division side, as well as performing well in the under-14s.
The left-handed batsman scored 33 not out and claimed an important 3/13 as West recorded victory over Irymple in the junior division, which earned him the nomination as the Sunraysia Cricket Association Junior Player of the Round.
Like father, like son could not be more appropriate then for Josh on Saturday as his dad Shane took out the senior Player of the Round against Merbein South later that afternoon.
“Obviously getting a good win against Irymple was great as well as making 30 and taking three (wickets),” Josh said.
Even more impressive was the young gun batting in second division later that afternoon and making 34, giving him three consecutive innings of 20 or more.
“It wasn’t a bad day,” Josh said, “I was a bit nervous yesterday before going out to bat (in the twos), it was a bit hot, but when I got out there it was alright.
“I love spending time at the crease, and facing good bowlers in the twos has been a good experience.”
Over the past two months Josh has played in the Schools Sport Victoria (SSV) 12 and under boys competition, and for Sunraysia in Mallee Murray and Northern Rivers country weeks, being part of the winning team in the latter.
“It’s been really good fun making some runs in the Northern Rivers comp and taking seven wickets I was pretty happy with that,” he said.
Shane Driscoll believes the representative games have helped Josh’s development.
“All the cricket he’s been playing away has set him in really good stead to come back here and give him confidence, especially in senior cricket,” he said.
“I think for him to come out last week and make 30 in twos just boosted his confidence a lot, he just seems to be thriving off batting and spending time out there.”
West’s under-14’s face a top of the table two-day clash against Nichols Point.
“We’re coming up against one of the best teams so hopefully we can get a win against them and keep going and get some more,” Josh said.
As the Junior Player of the Round, Josh receives a $50 voucher from Sportspower Mildura.
