Selected for country squad

Former Umina District Cricket Club member Matt Jones has been selected for the Country Origin under-19 squad to contest the Michael Slater Cup in Coffs Harbour from September 28 to 30.

"Matthew's selection comes on the back of a fine debut season for Gordon in the Sydney grade cricket competition during season 2007-08," Umina cricket club publicity officer Mr Gary Blake said.

"His rise is a tribute to his dedication, having achieved numerous representative honours throughout the District and Country age programs, including representing Country under-17s against the Sydney High Performance squad in 2006/07.

After making his First Grade debut for Umina in the Central Coast Cricket Association competition at 15, Matthew chose to follow in the footsteps of some of Umina's finest cricketers and try his luck in Sydney.

"His teammates in that Umina team included his captain Mark Cattley, who as an Umina junior, went to Northern Districts and was later selected in the NSW Colts team.

"Also in Matthew's team was Simon Blake, who had previously returned to Umina after 15 years with Northern Districts and captained the NSW Country team at the Australian country Cricket Championships in consecutive 2005 and 2006 seasons.

"Another Umina teammate, wicketkeeper batsman Ben Smith, had a successful debut season playing for Northern Districts in 2007-08.

"Another former Umina junior playing grade cricket in Sydney is fast bowler Mark Baker who joined the Balmain Tigers in the late 90s, and continues to this day with the Tigers who are now known as the Sydney Cricket Club."

Mr Blake said the club would be holding registration days during September to give Peninsula residents the opportunity to get involved in the club.

"The Umina District Cricket Club is a small club always on the lookout for cricketers of all ages and abilities who want to play the game," Mr Blake said.

"Anyone interested in playing cricket this season in either the two-day or one-day competitions, starting October 4, can join us at our training and registration days."

Registration days will take place on September 20 and 27, from 9am to 12pm at Rogers Park in Woy Woy.

Visit www.uminacricket.org.au for further information.

Press release, 3 Sep 2008 Gary Blake, Umina District Cricket Club