Mooroopna residents will be paying close attention to the National Cricket Inclusion Championships in Brisbane next month, when one of their own pulls on the navy blue.
Michael Ford, who plays for Mooroopna Cricket Club, has been selected in the 14-man Cricket Victoria Intellectually Disabled squad for the championships.
Ford, a spin bowler, said he was honoured to represent the state.
“It feels very good and it’s just such a huge honour for myself and my family as well,” Ford said.
“I know I’m good enough and I have got the talent, I believe that I have done the right thing and it’s just huge.”
Ford received a nomination form from his close friend Michael Van Dorsser before participating in a trial in Ballarat and a practice game in Williamstown — surviving two cuts to the squad to make the final team.
“The feeling was really good,” he said.
Predominantly a spin bowler and former quick, Ford can play with the bat when he keeps his focus and has a strong throwing arm.
“I can bat a little bit down the order when I put my mind to it,” he said.
“It’s just about playing the ball on its merit, not playing the stupid shot and trying to hit a six.
“The training was really good and the feeling was amazing when I made the 14-man squad.
“Just the feeling of being in Brisbane with a good, strong group of cricketers that have gone to achieve the same goal, playing as a team for your home state will be amazing, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
Ford was full of praise for his Mooroopna clubmates, especially those who helped teach him the art of spin.
“There was four guys that taught me to bowl spin, my dad, Robert Barker, Reilly Young and Simon D’Elia,” he said.
“I would just like to say thanks to Michael Van Dorsser for putting me up for this cricket achievement.
“And thanks to Mum and Dad for taking me to cricket since I was a little boy.”