Talented Albany and Districts Cricket Association quartet ready to challenge State’s best young players

Four of the brightest cricket prospects from the region will test themselves against the best young players in the State after earning selection to compete at the WACA Under-15 State Talent Carnival in December. Teague Valli, Devon Jefferis, Jed Kowald and Cameron Walsh earned selection after their performances at the under-15 regional talent series in October. The talented Albany and Districts Cricket Association quartet have all been selected to push their case for the WA Cricket Under-15 State Side. Valli, Jefferis, Kowald and Walsh will have the chance to impress in the country team that will come up against five sides from the metropolitan area in the two-day carnival at Lilac Hill on December 20 and 21. Valli tasted A-grade experience last season for Royals and has been in dominant form in the under-17s competition, while also performing strongly in B-grade this season. He is expecting to open the bowling and bat in the middle order. “It’s a pretty big honour, they are great boys to be in the team with and it should be fun,” Valli said. Jefferis plays for Royals in the under-17 competition and is likely to keep wicket and bat in the middle-to-lower order. “I’m very excited and proud to be representing Albany, just excited for the future of what I can achieve,” Jefferis said. Kowald has played A-grade this season for Collingwood Park as well as C-grade and under-17s. He will play a key role with the ball as a leg spinner and can chip in with the bat. “It’s a good achievement and I’m happy to be selected, it’s an opportunity to go to the next level,” Kowald said. Manypeaks’ Walsh will be part of the bowling line-up and has been playing under-17s so far this season. “It means a lot,” Walsh said. “I have always wanted to do State cricket so it’s pretty big.” The team will be coached by WACA country cricket coordinator Andrew Hayes. Six players from the South West region and two from the North West will join the four Great Southern players in the squad of 12.