Werribee prospect Matt Watt will get the chance to mix it with the nation’s top schoolboy cricketers next month.
The developing fast bowler will have the honour of representing Victoria at the School Sports Australia national cricket championships in Queensland.
“I’ve been working pretty hard on my cricket for the last few years,” Watt told
Star Weekly.
“To be able to get this opportunity to play for my state is going to be a really good experience.
“Everyone is pretty good around the state championships; it’s a good competition and it’s going to be exciting.
“I’m really hoping I can do well and show what I can do.”
Watt, a student at MacKillop College, got his start in junior cricket at Werribee Centrals.
His talents were identified early, and he quickly made his way to sub-district club Werribee, where he plays in its junior system and senior third XI.
The Wyndham Vale resident isn’t daunted by playing against fully grown men and has set a goal of breaking into the senior seconds this year.
“I relish it,” Watt said. “I’m lucky to be getting this opportunity.
“Playing threes and getting an opportunity at a higher level is really good for me.”
Watt is projected to take the new ball for Victoria at the nationals. It’s a role he’s comfortable to be undertaking.
“I want to put some pressure on the batsmen with the new ball, get something out of the pitch and get some vital wickets for the team.”
Watt’s best asset is his height.
At a young age, he’s able to extract bounce to intimidate batsmen.
He’s trying to model his style on the likes of former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath, who was able to achieve consistent lines and lengths through a steady bowling action.
“Just being consistent and having a nice action and follow-through,” Watt says of his reasons for liking McGrath’s action.
“It’s what you need from a fast bowler, to try and swing the ball and put it on a good length.”
The young prodigy gets instant feedback on his bowling action in training from his dad, Peter.
“Dad helps a lot,” he concedes.
“He gets the phone out and records, so I can watch it over. And he puts it on slo-mo so I can figure out what I need to work on.”
Watt has dreams of one day representing Australia.
The first step towards that goal will be success in the coming schoolboys championships, which has been a starting point for the likes of Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, and Ashton Agar.
“I’m hoping to try and push to get into a Victorian squad,” Watt says.
“Try and work my way up through the younger age groups and then hopefully get into the Bushrangers squad.”
Watt is also a talented footballer and will be part of the Western Jets’ under-16 squad next winter. His twin brother, Jackson, is representing Werribee at under-15 Craig Shield level.
They both like to watch all forms of cricket, and regularly head into the city to watch Renegades and Stars Big Bash League games.
