The move paid dividends for the Kiama junior when he was selected in the NSW PSSA cricket team after a successful NSW Championships in Barooga last week. 

Mackrell was a central figure in the South Coast team, with the side winning four of their five matches. The sole loss came to eventual winners CIS and was a match the boys almost came out on top. 

Mackrell’s father, Adam, said the selection came as a shock to Blake and his family. 

“We were surprised, Blake never expected to be picked in a side like that,” Adam said. “It’s interesting, he bowls left-arm orthodox, he’s been doing that last season and this season. He’s been working on his bowling lately but was more of a batsman previously.

“He just went out there and bowled a really good line and length, he didn’t bowl many bad balls and got some wickets, and I guess the selectors were impressed. He was very excited and surprised.”

While kids typically gravitate towards the glamour of fast-bowling, admiring the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, Blake quickly realised he wouldn’t develop the height required to replicate Starc’s success as a left-arm quick sending thunderbolts towards opposition batsmen.

With that in mind, Blake shifted his attention towards the left arm orthodox and he very quickly found his feet in the challenging craft.

“He was bowling left-arm medium pace, he’s a big enough kid, but he’s never going to be a giant tall fast bowler. Being left-handed gives him a bit of an advantage as a spinner, spinning the ball away from the right-handers. So he decided to work on his spinning and give it a go.

“He bowled well last year, kept working at it, got picked in the South Coast team and did a good job during the few days at the state carnival.”

Mackrell will head to Bunbury to represent NSW at the Australian Championships in mid-December.