Hard-hitting Sandhurst batsman Ash Gray will represent Victoria Country at the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Shepparton.
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Two years ago, Gray was battling away in Emu Valley cricket, but the decision to play with Sandhurst in the BDCA has turned his cricket around.
"I thought my chances of playing cricket at a higher level were done, but being under the wing of Craig Howard has done me the world of good,'' Gray said.
"He told me I had to get fitter. I've dropped 35kg since January. If I hadn't have done that I wouldn't have had any chance of making this squad."
The left-hander was named in the squad of 14 after some standout performances in selection trials in recent weeks.
"I made 50 in the first T20 trial game, 62 not out in the second T20 trial game and then 40-odd not out in a one-day game at the QEO on Sunday,'' Gray said.
"I just wish I could make some runs with Sandhurst."
Gray's highest score this summer is 44, while last summer he was a revelation for the Dragons.
He made six half-centuries for the season, including 59 and 57 in the Dragons' semi-final and grand final wins.
This summer's ACCC will be played from January 3-11, with all matches Twenty20 or 50-over format.
"That cricket suits me. It's natural for me to play short form cricket,'' Gray said.
"In the trial games I batted at number three and six in the T20 trial games and then I opened the batting on Sunday, so I'm not exactly sure where I'll bat at the championships."
For now, Gray's focus is helping Sandhurst's premiership defence.
After five rounds the Dragons have a 4-1 record and sit in second place on the first XI ladder.
"Last year was awesome, we came together really well as a unit and we've tried our best to continue that this season,'' Gray said.
"Things are going well at the moment."
Victoria Country squad to play in Shepparton:
Ben Boyd (c) (Warrnambool), Lee Stockdale (vc) (Traralgon), Nick Butters (Warrnambool), Tony Caccaviello (Geelong), Jordy Gilmore (Traralgon), Ash Gray (BDCA), Layton McCann (Geelong), Jordan Moran (Geelong), Jack Reirschel (Sale-Maffra), Pat Richards (Geelong), Cole Roscholler (Ballarat), Jake Sherriff (Ferntree Gully), Ben Threlfall (Warrnambool), Cam Williams (Warrnambool). Emergencies: Matt Tom (Albury-Wodonga), Jack Wrigglesworth (Sale-Maffra).
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