Shepparton all-rounder Ashton Young, formerly of Old Students in the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield, has received a major boost to his prospects.
The junior standout, who already has plenty of senior experience in Haisman Shield, has been called up to represent Vic Country at an upcoming national youth cricket carnival.
The Under-17 Male Championships are set for January in Ballarat and, after departing Old Students to focus on achieving this very chance, there is validation for effort.
“I’d say it’s happiness, but also a reward for a bit of hard work,” Young said.
“It’s a good opportunity to play among the best in Australia.
“Just getting to play with those quality kids is a good chance to challenge myself.”
In the end, heading south to Vic Premier Cricket was a necessary decision to raise his profile in search of chances like this.
“I felt like I could further my career more in Melbourne and be around a bigger system,” Young said.
“I thought I could give myself more opportunity to be seen. I’ve always believed in myself.
“I’ve tried to keep things at a mix of confidence and humble at one time.”
Young has been in the city plying his trade at Melbourne Cricket Club during the spring season, rapidly increasing his profile as he competes among the more seasoned.
Acknowledging it would be harder to get consistently noticed in Haisman Shield competition, one imagines that with Old Students languishing at 0-5, they sure could use him.
During the past two seasons, Young steadily built a body of experience in the 16 A-grade at Kialla Park Reserve as well as enjoying stints in the seniors.
In the 2022-23 campaign, Old Students gave him chances most of the year to play at the top level, featuring in 11 games.
Young was continuing to put a series of healthy knocks together in the juniors at the same time, with three unbeaten half-centuries catching the eye.
He also featured at multiple youth levels in representative games for Cricket Shepparton, displaying his prowess against the best of Bendigo and Goulburn Murray cricket.
Young is setting goals beyond January, though, eyeing a quick progression through the MCC ranks.
“My aim is to play in the twos by the end of the year,” Young said.
“I’m currently in the threes, so I’m progressing there.
“Hopefully by the time I turn 18, I’m in the ones.”
Hand in hand with those goals will be a solid performance for Vic Country first, which Young has more immediate sights on.
“I suppose getting into the team is one thing, but performing there is another,” Young said.
“I want to do the best I can and, if I play my best cricket, you never know how far it could go.”
In closing, though, Young wanted his gratitude known for those in this region who helped him climb through the junior pathways.
“I’m thankful to everyone who supported me along the way and I’m grateful for the people around me, who I couldn’t have done this without,” Young said.
“They all know who they are.”