Kempsey local Callan Mckiernan has been selected to represent ACT/NSW Country U19s cricket side in Adelaide in December this year.
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It is the third time Mckiernan will represent his state at the National Championships and it is a fulfilling result for the 18-year-old as he has just came out the other side of a tough 12-months.
Mckiernan suffered an ACL injury while he attempted to field the ball during a cricket match and he had to undergo surgery which saw him go through a long rehabilitation period.
Earning selection for the state team has made the struggle worth it for Mckiernan.
“I was stoked and ecstatic to be selected. I felt I had done enough but you always have some doubt,” Mckiernan explained.
“There were some tough times during my rehab and to earn selection in a representative team is great.”
The National Championships will have the best cricketers from across the country taking the field in the one location with 10-teams made up of the different states and territories including extra Country and Metropolitan sides from NSW and Victoria.
“It is an awesome opportunity to play in a different state, under different conditions and be facing bowlers who have represented Australia.”
“It is a step up but it is great to be able to showcase my abilities too.”
Mckiernan is a batsmen who can bowl off-spin and he will go to the crease at second drop.
The National Championship will attract a lot of scouts and Mckiernan will use the event to push a claim for a spot in a Big Bash squad and other representative honours.
Selections for the ACT/NSW Country side took place at the State Challenge that was held two weeks ago with two teams from the City and two teams from the Country battling it out over three days.
Mckiernan played at a high level and managed to grab a top score of 80 in one of the matches which helped him achieve selection to travel to a National Championship for a third time as he also represented his state in the U17 and U15 sides.
Mckiernan is very dedicated to chasing his dream of becoming a professional cricketer and he travels by himself to Sydney every weekend to play grade cricket for Fairfield Liverpool.
He will travel with the team to Adelaide for the 10-day tournament that begins on December 5.
