Hawkesbury junior cricket player Nivethan "Nivvi" Radhakrishnan has been selected to the NSW Metro Male Under 17s National Championships side to play in Mackay, Queensland, from September 30 to October 10
The 14-man squad was finalised following a three-day state challenge in Coffs Harbour that saw 26 players vying for selection.
They were divided into the Metro Sixers and Thunder teams for the carnival that also included two sides from Country NSW/ACT, the Country Sixers and Thunder.
Nivvi, who plays for Hawkesbury Cricket Club's First Grade squad despite being underage, had previously been selected in the Australian Under 16's representative squad that toured Dubai in January.
He is a unique player as he is an ambidextrous all-rounder; not only can he bat well but he can bowl orthodox spin with both his left and right arms. Also selected was fellow Australian representative Penrith batsman Ryley Smith.
Both Rylry and Nivvi return to the Under 17 National Championships after representing the Cricket Australia XI last season, featuring a number of under aged players.
There were two other Penrith players named to play in Queensland, Jordan Watson and Liam Doddrell.
Each team at the Under 17 National Championships this season will play four round-robin matches to qualify for the semi-finals.
Cricket NSW Coaching and Talent Manager for Metropolitan NSW, Gavan Twining, said the squad possessed significant fast bowling depth.
"It has a mix of accurate swing bowling, with some tall (and) fast quicks who bowl at a good pace," said Twining.
A number of standout performances at the State Challenge confirmed numerous selections.
"Corey Miller scoring a well-crafted 77 on (day three), Lachlan Shaw's 112 and 70 confirmed his potential, along with Ethan Deal, Ryley Smith and Niv Radrakrishnan, all showing their ability to score runs over the three days."
The 2019/20 season nears for Hawkesbury Cricket Club who are currently running their trial sessions and matches in preparation for the season start in early October.
Having started preseason in mid-July and working hard every week since, the Hawks are looking towards growing and developing further this upcoming season.
This Saturday, September 14 the club will hold an inter-club trial game with their potential First Grade squad facing Central West (Bathurst) at Owen Earle Oval, Benson Lane, from 9:30am.
The following Saturday, September 21 they will have their first full club trial, taking on Randwick Petersham, with First through Fourth Grade playing matches.