Cricket Victoria has unveiled a list of the brightest talents entering its Male Emerging Players Programs and heading the group is none other than Old Students prodigy Ashton Frost.
The crafty left-hand technician was named in Victoria Country’s under-19 squad alongside another Goulburn Valley product in Katamatite all-rounder Kepler Lukies.
In the most recent season, Frost racked up 659 runs at 41.2 while also snaring 18 wickets, playing predominantly for Melbourne in Victorian Premier Cricket.
Meanwhile, during the 2024-25 campaign for Katamatite and Fitzroy Doncaster, Lukies chalked up 368 runs at 26.3 while taking 52 wickets at 9.7.
With the duo setting its sights on the Under-19 National Championships from November 30-December 9, Cricket Victoria’s male talent development manager Tom Evans said the future looked bright for the state’s shining lights with bat and ball.
“We’re excited by the depth of both our squads, which is a testament to the strength of our community and premier clubs, their coaches and the competitions that help to nurture and grow the next generation of Victorian cricketers,” Evans said.
“We look forward to continuing to develop these players as cricketers and people and giving them some opportunities to apply their skills within different formats across the program.”
Moving further up the state hierarchy, Tatura talent Michael Archer has been identified as a potential recruit for Big Bash League clubs seeking to bolster rosters for BBL15.
The crafty leggy finished inside the top 10 VPC wicket-takers in 2024-25 with 30 and went on to make a splash for Melbourne Renegades during the Melbourne T10 Invitational.
Archer featured in the Herald Sun’s list of 43 premier cricket players from across Australia that BBL clubs should take a gamble on, compiled by noted cricket brains Paul Amy and Tim Michell.
“A premiership leg-spinner with the Blues two years ago, Archer came to notice in the Melbourne T10 Invitational in April, topping the list of wicket-takers with 15 and snaffling a hat-trick,” the article read.
“One coach who watched the series closely said Archer showed he had a good over-spinner and wrong ‘un and bowled at a good pace, making it difficult for batsmen to read him.”
Closer to home, Shepparton Youth Club United has locked in key personnel with eyes on the 2025-26 Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield season.
Sam Nash returns as the club’s A-grade captain and coach after a fruitful individual campaign that bore 249 runs at 20.1 and 26 wickets at 15.
The combine has also roped in the services of former player Tyler Green from Katamatite, who whacked 403 runs at 40 with a high score of 101 last season.
Lastly, 2024-25 Haisman Shield grand finalist Nagambie has re-signed the nucleus of its batting brigade in its quest to go one further.
The Lakers have locked in last season’s Lightfoot Medal runner-up Mark Nolan, Mitch Winter-Irving and James Wilson, who combined for 1480 runs and 85 wickets in the most recent summer.
