sport, local-sport, Bulli High School, Victor Strange, Thomas Williams, NSW Metro, NSW Country, Northern Districts, St George
They're good mates who have shared some vital moments on the cricket field together for Bulli High School. But Victor Strange and Thomas Williams are set to become rivals in the battle for representative honours. Strange is undergoing a selection process to be picked for NSW Metro, while Williams is doing the same in a bid to don the NSW Country cap. If all goes to plan, the pair - who also coach Bulli High's under-15s team together - will take on each other at the Under-17s National Cricket Championships in September. "I've bowled to him a few times, it's been really fun and it's all banter. It's always good fun playing against a quality batsman who can play good shots if you bowl bad balls," Balgownie's Strange, who is a right-arm fast bowler, said. "We're good mates, we play golf together every now and then, and have played a lot of cricket together. We're mates, on and off the field." Read more: Wellington Phoenix prepare to host 'Wollongong Appreciation Month' in March Strange, 15, became eligible for Metro selection when he opted to play for St George in the NSW Premier Cricket competition. He juggles school studies with travelling to Sydney three times a week to train and play for the club's third grade side. Getting picked for NSW Metro has been rigorous for Strange, who is currently in their top squad of 24 players. He will compete at the Under-16s NSW State Challenge this weekend, where the final Metro squad will be trimmed to 12 players. "It's been a fairly long process, we've had a few trials," the teen said. "On Sunday, I played a game with the 24. It was a great experience and a lot of fun to play with the top 24 players in NSW Metro. It's been amazing." Woonona's Williams, who is an all-rounder, is going through similar stepping stones in his bid to represent NSW Country. This weekend, he will also compete at the NSW Under-16s State Challenge in Orange, playing for Country Thunder. Williams, 16, said it would be "pretty special" to compete at the national championships, especially if he was up against Strange. "It would be fun and a good challenge because he's a pretty good bowler," he said. "Victor came to our school in year 9 and we've played a lot of cricket together. It's always good playing for Bulli together." Read more: Johnson ready to ignite South Coast Blaze's defence in 2021 The English-born Williams plays for Northern Districts in Cricket Illawarra's second grade competition, making his first grade debut at the age of 15. He said he enjoyed being an all-rounder. "I probably put more work into my batting than bowling, because I just enjoy batting more," he said. "I just want to keep playing with my mates and keep enjoying the game." Williams played for the Trojans Cricket Club in Southampton before his family moved to Australia in 2011. One day, he may get asked to pick who he wants to play for: Australia or England. If given the option, would Williams represent his homeland? "That's not going to happen," Williams said with a laugh. "My parents came over here when I was young and they really liked it. They thought it was a good lifestyle over here."
LOVING THE GAME: Bulli High School students Victor Strange and Thomas Williams are set to face off in rep cricket. Picture: Sylvia Liber
They're good mates who have shared some vital moments on the cricket field together for Bulli High School.
But Victor Strange and Thomas Williams are set to become rivals in the battle for representative honours.
Strange is undergoing a selection process to be picked for NSW Metro, while Williams is doing the same in a bid to don the NSW Country cap. If all goes to plan, the pair - who also coach Bulli High's under-15s team together - will take on each other at the Under-17s National Cricket Championships in September.
"I've bowled to him a few times, it's been really fun and it's all banter. It's always good fun playing against a quality batsman who can play good shots if you bowl bad balls," Balgownie's Strange, who is a right-arm fast bowler, said.
"We're good mates, we play golf together every now and then, and have played a lot of cricket together. We're mates, on and off the field."
Strange, 15, became eligible for Metro selection when he opted to play for St George in the NSW Premier Cricket competition. He juggles school studies with travelling to Sydney three times a week to train and play for the club's third grade side.
Getting picked for NSW Metro has been rigorous for Strange, who is currently in their top squad of 24 players.
He will compete at the Under-16s NSW State Challenge this weekend, where the final Metro squad will be trimmed to 12 players.
"It's been a fairly long process, we've had a few trials," the teen said. "On Sunday, I played a game with the 24. It was a great experience and a lot of fun to play with the top 24 players in NSW Metro. It's been amazing."
Woonona's Williams, who is an all-rounder, is going through similar stepping stones in his bid to represent NSW Country. This weekend, he will also compete at the NSW Under-16s State Challenge in Orange, playing for Country Thunder.
Williams, 16, said it would be "pretty special" to compete at the national championships, especially if he was up against Strange.
"It would be fun and a good challenge because he's a pretty good bowler," he said. "Victor came to our school in year 9 and we've played a lot of cricket together. It's always good playing for Bulli together."
The English-born Williams plays for Northern Districts in Cricket Illawarra's second grade competition, making his first grade debut at the age of 15. He said he enjoyed being an all-rounder.
"I probably put more work into my batting than bowling, because I just enjoy batting more," he said.
"I just want to keep playing with my mates and keep enjoying the game."
Williams played for the Trojans Cricket Club in Southampton before his family moved to Australia in 2011. One day, he may get asked to pick who he wants to play for: Australia or England. If given the option, would Williams represent his homeland?
"That's not going to happen," Williams said with a laugh. "My parents came over here when I was young and they really liked it. They thought it was a good lifestyle over here."
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