Footscray’s Max Birthisel has again been named in the Cricket Victoria male emerging performance squad for 2023-24.
The bowler was one of 16 players named in the squad 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.
Blake Thomson (Melbourne), James Seymour (Essendon), Harrison Smyth (Carlton), Harrish Kannan (Casey South-Melbourne) and Joe Medew-Ewen (Northcote) have been rewarded after being named in the 2022-23 Victorian Premier Cricket team of the year.
Mackenzie Harvey (Carlton) Tom O’Connell (Geelong) were Victorian contracted players while James Seymour (Essendon) played both Marsh Sheffield Shield and Marsh One-Day Cup matches for Victoria last season.
Birthisel had a strong Premier Cricket season and has been through the pathway system previously. He was part of the emerging players squad last year.
Carlton’s Jai Lemire, who previously played for Bundoora United and Plenty Valley has also been named in the squad.
The program will be overseen by Cricket Victoria’s cricket performance coaching staff and will also involve the Victorian men’s team senior coaching staff.
Cricket Victoria’s head of male cricket David Hussey said the program will provide excellent opportunities for players to grow their game.
“Premier Cricket is a key focus of our player pathway and it’s fantastic to be able to reward some of the best performers with additional opportunities to connect with our high-performance coaches,” he said.
“This opportunity allows the group to prepare as well as possible for the upcoming season with their cricket as well providing access to CV’s sport science and sports medicine staff as well as our facilities.
“It was great to see how this program set up the squad last season leading into the Premier Cricket season, and we were able to welcome Tom Rogers and Tom O’Donnell onto the senior contracted list for the upcoming summer.”
Multiple players were not considered for selection due to playing opportunities overseas through representative squads.
The program will run through to the beginning of the Premier Cricket season.
