By Lance Jenkinson
Dylan Brasher will face up to the nation’s best cricketers at the U19 national championships in Perth starting on Monday.
Brasher, an opening batsman from Footscray in Victorian Premier Cricket, has been a mainstay of underage Victorian teams from the age of 12, but representing his state has lost none of the lustre and he still gets nervous pulling on the blue cap.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in all the sides from under 12s through to under 19s,” he said.
“It’s something you dream of as a kid to represent your state and to represent your country, so to do one of those things already is such an honour.
“It’s taken me to different places – I’ve been to Adelaide, Queensland and now to go to Perth will be even better. It really opens a few doors if you can do alright at this carnival.”
Brasher spent three days with his Victorian teammates at a camp in Bendigo.
The atmosphere within the Vic Metro camp was one of togetherness and ambition.
“We had three days away and the team is already so much more unified,” Brasher said.
“Everyone knows each other a bit better now and everyone’s cracking jokes, which was good.”
While Vic Metro will be missing stars Mackenzie Harvey and Jake Fraser-McGurk, Brasher is convinced the team can go deep into the tournament.
The Vics will begin their campaign against ACT/NSW Country on Monday.
“We’re missing our two best players, but I still think we’ll do alright,” he said.
“To win it this year would be awesome.” The Vic Metro team will be coached by former Australian all-rounder Clint McKay.
McKay has coached Brasher at Maribyrnong College.
Brasher is one of four players selected for Vic Metro with Maribyrnong College links.
Fergus O’Neill and Will Blair will be in the touring party, while Alex Cesarios had to pull out with an injury.
“The school has been incredible for me and the other boys who were there,“ Brasher, who finished year 12 this year, said.
