Hastings-based Englishman Alex Roberts' cricket career has taken a couple of big steps forward in recent days.
Last week the Cornwall allrounder was called in to the England team for the under-19 World Cup in Christchurch early next year. This week it's been selection in the Hawke's Bay side for
the two-day Hawke Cup qualifying clash with Horowhenua-Kapiti on Napier's Nelson Park this weekend.
"I'm absolutely stoked. It's been a great few days," he said of the double-dose of good news. It has left the 18-year-old Yorkshireman reassessing his goals this week after having expected to spend the entire club season in the Bay.
"Things have certainly changed. I'm off to Australia on January 1st to join the England team for a three-week tour before we head to Christchurch for the World Cup. After that I'll be back at Cornwall for the end of the season," he said.
Roberts, a medium-fast bowler and middle-order batsman, was in the initial 16-strong training squad for the youth World Cup but one of two players cut when it was reduced to the tournament 14. He was called in when a Yorkshire Academy team mate withdrew from the tour party.
"It was obviously disappointing for him, but it's given me the opportunity and I've got to make the most of it," he said.
An England under-18 representative against the West Indies during the last northern hemisphere summer, Roberts also hopes to be playing county cricket next season.
Roberts, with 10 wickets at 13.8 for Cornwall this summer, will make his Bay debut this weekend as part of an exciting, youthful-looking bowling attack.
He will join Taraia Robin, a New Zealand under-19 World Cup representative last season, in the pace department with yet another teenager, Napier Boys' High legspinner Robbie Schaw also making his debut.
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
