A possible concussion was not enough to dampen Marty Jeffrey’s spirits as he continues an action-packed start to summer.
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Jeffrey spent last week representing Sydney Thunder – and his Wiradjuri heritage – in a best of five Indigenous XI tournament against the Hobart Hurricanes. He found the team's cultural tour of Launceston "pretty emotional".
This week he’s in Adelaide representing NSW Country/ACT at the Cricket Australia under 19 National Championships – and he’s not alone.
NSW Country/ACT also features Dubbo product Henry Railz, while CYMS Cougar Brock Larance has starred for Cricket Australia’s Under 17s XI.
Railz, in particular, stepped up on Tuesday.
Batting first, South Australia’s top order slumped to 7-63 before wicket-keeper Daniel Kerber (76 off 82 deliveries) saved the innings.
Chasing 200, NSW Country/ACT were just able to scrape over the line thanks to a brilliant 69 not out by Railz.
“He played a great role to chase those runs yesterday,” Jeffrey said, proud of his teammate and fellow Dubbo junior.
“I think, without that innings, we wouldn’t have been able to win. It was very brave and very smart.”
Jeffrey himself departed in dramatic circumstances.
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After scoring 43 not out in NSW Country/ACT’s four wicket win over Victoria Country, he was feeling good.
“It was a tough situation but I just knew I had to play to my plans and what my role was,” he said.
But on Tuesday, after working hard for 13 from 29 deliveries, a ball reared up under Jeffrey’s helmet and “hit me flush under the chin”.
“I stumbled a bit and stumbled back onto the stumps apparently,” he said.
Jeffrey took advantage of Wednesday’s rest day to visit the doctor, and hopes to be back in action against Western Australia on Thursday.
Larance has been solid for Cricket Australia XI, scoring 31 and 28 runs respectively in the first two rounds.
On Monday he had bowling figures of 0/10 from four overs, and on Tuesday he caught Victorian metro opener Josh Hartill for 14.
