SEVERAL local junior cricketers have been selected for the next step on their cricketing journey, named in squads for the 2024-25 Dowling Shield season.

The metro-based Dowling Shield (male) and the Marg Jennings Cup (female), along with the Country Cups (both) are feeder programs in Cricket Victoria’s player pathway, for the best and brightest young talent to excel on their way to Premier Cricket and beyond.

Rovers United Bruck’s Reid McNamara and City Colts’ Connor Ormond have been named in Northcote CC’s squad for the Dowling Shield, while Benalla Bushrangers player Lucas Ham will represent Greenvale Kangaroos.

The Dowling Shield is set for a seven-round season, commencing on Monday, January 6.

Players picked in Dowling Shield squads are still eligible to represent their region in the Country Cup competition, which commences for the North East Knights on Sunday, December 1.

Meanwhile, Yarrawonga Mulwala wunderkind Jobe Fraser has been selected in the Vic Country Under 17s squad for the Under 17s National Championships in January.

The U17 National Championships are a vital step in the development of the next generation of professional cricketers, providing the opportunity for them to test their skills against the best players in the country.

The squads will continue to train together and utilise the time to play practice matches as part of their on-going development and preparation for January.

The Vic Country side will be coached by Cricket Victoria’s talent development specialist (country) Shane Koop and Prahan CC head coach and former Victorian and Australian player Julien Weiner.