Halls Head cricket star Damien Burrage is hoping to lead his team to victory at the Cricket Australia national championships in December as captain of the WA under 19s side.
The up and coming 17-year-old made his WA Cricket Association first grade debut with Rockingham-Mandurah in 2017 following a tour to Dubai to represent Australia.
The batting all-rounder also captained his state last year for the September national championships in Tasmania.
The young gun said he was proud to be chosen to lead his team again.
“It’s a great honour to represent your state in one hand and then to captain as well is an even bigger honour,” he said.
“I’ll be involved in selection of teams, setting the fields and controlling what my team does on the day.
“I hope to lead our batting line up because that’s probably my biggest strength and if I can help with the ball and in the field and help my teammates as captain, then I’ve done my job.
“With every chance, we’ll get a medal.”
The team has been training since June for the championships in Adelaide from December 3-13.
Burrage said he learnt a lot from the captaining the WA under 17s side last year.
“It was a good challenge,” he said.
“It’s a good bunch of boys this year, different to last year but everyone gets along well so it won’t be too hard of a job.
“It’ll be different to cold and windy Tasmania though, I’m sure it will be pretty hot and very sunny so some different conditions.”
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Burrage has been balancing finishing his year 12 studies and five ATAR exams with his demanding cricket schedule.
“It’s been tough but I think I’ve done it pretty well,” he said.
“Sometimes cricket has taken a back seat and sometimes school has taken a back seat, depending on how I’m feeling at that point in time.
“There’s obviously times I’ve had to push harder at training or push harder at school.”
The youngster has also been nominated by the Halls Head Junior Cricket Club for the Junior Sports Person of the Year at the City of Mandurah 2018 Sports Awards.
The winners will be announced at a special gala ceremony on November 14 at the Rushton Park Sports Facility.
For more information on the awards, visit the City of Mandurah website.