TWO years ago Cricket Victoria’s Diamonds in the Bush program helped to unearth a promising young pace bowler from Bendigo.
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His name – Xavier Crone.
Two years on Crone is a rookie-listed Victorian quick who has this week helped to oversee the next crop of young Northern Rivers talent coming through as part of Bendigo’s Diamonds in the Bush camp.
Bendigo’s Diamonds in the Bush camp has been held the past two days, bringing together the Northern Rivers’ talented young male and female cricketers as part of the search for the next generation of players based in regional Victoria.
“It’s a chance for some of us players to have a bit of a dabble in coaching to see if it’s something we like and to pass on a bit of the information that we have learned,” Crone said on Wednesday.
“We’ve had two good days of sessions… a lot of individual batting and bowling work, fielding and net sessions with some really good contests between bat and ball.
“I steer away from providing any batting advice, it’s definitely not my area of expertise. But if I can see something in regards to bowling then I try to help out as much as I can. Northern Rivers always has great young talent on offer and this year has been no exception. It’s great to see some really good players coming through.”
As well as Crone, coaches who have been involved in the Bendigo camp have included Victorian Bushrangers batsman Travis Dean, Victorian and Melbourne Renegades assistant coach Lachlan Stevens, Melbourne Renegades batting coach Chris Harris, Melbourne Stars bowling coach Paul Montgomery, Melbourrne Stars WBBL leg-spinner Alana King, Melbourne Renegades WBBL player Tayla Vlaeminck from Bendigo and Vic Spirit strength and conditioning coach Seb Mather.
Diamonds in the Bush camps have also been held in Hamilton, Albury, Bundalaguah, Ballarat and Mildura.
Meanwhile, Crone – who played in the BDCA with Strathfieldsaye – is gearing up for his third season of Premier Cricket with Carlton, as well as training with the Victorian Bushrangers, where he is on a rookie contact for the second year.
“We’re in the middle of Victorian pre-season at the moment doing a lot of strength and conditioning work in the gym,” Crone, 19, said.
“I’ve just started back bowling and we’ll soon get back into some bat v ball work.
“I’d love to play consistent second XI cricket for Victoria in the Futures League this season and if something was to maybe arise in the back half, I’d love to be able to take that opportunity.”
