Tara Murray
Footscray’s Max Birthisel has taken the next step in his cricket career having been named in the Cricket Victoria emerging performance squad for the 2022-23 season.
Birthisel was one of 17 players named in the squad this week, which features a range of players who are not state contracted and have performed strongly in Victorian Premier Cricket, the under-19 emerging players Program or underage National Championships.
Birthisel took 29 wickets last season for the Bulldogs and was part of the Vic Metro side for last season’s under-19 national championships. He has also previously been part of the Cricket Victorian under-19 emerging players squad.
The program offers enhanced training opportunities throughout the pre-season.
Cricket Victoria’s head of talent development Dean Russ said the program will provide excellent opportunities for players to grow their game.
“It is great to be able to provide additional opportunities for Victorian Premier cricketers to connect with the Victorian High Performance coaching cohort,” Russ said.
“These players of interest within premier cricket can showcase their skill sets to the coaching group and enhance their game ahead of the 2022-23 season.
“The program will provide coaching advice, physical preparation and some additional volume which should be a valuable asset for their development.”
Former Gisborne and Melton junior Tom Rogers is back in the squad having previously been part of the winter program in 21-22.
Rogers was named in the Victorian Premier Cricket team of the year in 2021-22 and made his BBL debut for the Melbourne Stars.
Bacchus Marsh junior Jack Lalor and former Plenty Valley player Jai Lemire have also been named in the squad. Lemire and Rogers have also been named in the Melbourne Stars Academy team to compete in the Top End T20 series in Darwin
Multiple players were not considered for selection in the emerging program due to playing opportunities in Darwin or overseas, providing them great development opportunities.
The program will run through to the beginning of the premier cricket season.
