COUNTRY Club all-rounder Luke Levett has been selected to compete for Northern Riverina in the Riverina under 16 zone carnival in Wagga.
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From there Luke also has the chance to be selected for the Riverina team to contest the Bradman Cup in early 2015.
“You never know what could happen but it’s all about the opportunity, it’s a privilege really,” said Luke.
He attributes his success to the support of his family and the opportunities given him by senior cricketers in the area, such as Phil Gay and Scott Roberts.
His dad Mick is an accomplished cricketer in his own right, entering the record books by taking a hat trick in the Stribley Shield, and the cricketing genes also come from his mum Fiona’s side of the family.
As the great-grandson of Max Rudd and grandson of Greg Rudd, it appears sporting prowess is in Luke’s veins.
He considers Max his hero and fondly remembers learning the fundamentals from the local sporting legend, saying that was where it all started for him.
“It’s in the family, I grew up with a bat and ball,” Luke said.
Earlier this year Luke was part of the Sparre Cup winning team and put in a memorable performance in both the semi-final and the final, during the former remaining stable when occupying the crease with more senior batsmen.
He believes his focus and patience are among his strengths as a batsman, but concedes there are elements of his game to work on.
“I’m still learning what shot is applicable in different times of the game,” Luke said.
“Two weeks ago I got out at 34 playing a silly shot, but it’s about working on my mental game and gaining more experience, which will come as the season goes on.”
Luke previously played for Northern Riverina in the under 14 carnival in Hay two seasons ago, his team finishing second overall in a hard-fought competition that went right down to the last game.
He goes into this carnival a more accomplished cricketer, looking forward to showing his wares as an all-rounder.
Always his biggest fans are his parents, exceptionally proud of the achievement of both Luke and his older sister Emily.
“I’m the first there to watch either of the kids play, whether they like it or not,” Fiona declared.
Mick proudly recalls Luke’s performance in the Sparre Cup final earlier this year, a game Luke considers his highlight so far as a young athlete.
Defending a total of just 107, he and Ryan Breese devastated the Family Hotel Blues top order batsmen, Luke taking 4/8 from six overs.
“He can really swing it when it’s going right, it’s like he’s got the ball on a string,” Mick said.
To show his promise as one of Cootamundra’s best young cricketers, last season Luke was awarded the Fisher/O’Malley trophy for the junior with the most potential.
Far from a one trick pony, he also finished this season with the Cootamundra Bulldogs under 16s as the team’s best and fairest.
Now as a member of the Northern Riverina side, Luke will take on Murrumbidgee, Southern Riverina, and Cricket Albury Wodonga from Saturday 8 to Monday 10 November.
The carnival is called the Colston Scammell Shield, named for two Riverina coaches; the late Terry Colston from Southern Riverina and Tony Scammell from Albury.
At the conclusion of this carnival, selectors will announce the Riverina side to contest the Bradman Cup, which will be played at Maitland/Singleton from January 12-15.
