Quinn Childs bowling earlier this year. PHOTO/FILE
CRICKET
JAKE BELESKI
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Just one day after being named in a Central Districts XI to take on Tasman at the weekend, Quinn Childs received another boost after being named in the CD Under-19 squad.
The talented 18-year-old Wairarapa spin bowler was named in a 13-strong squad that will contest the National Tournament at Lincoln from December 13-21.
Wairarapa senior men’s coach Neil Perry said it was great to have Childs, a student at Rathkeale College, rewarded for his dedication and hard work.
“It’s always good to see people achieve individual success – he works hard, he’s a good player and it’s always exciting to see them achieve things.
“It’s a great advert to everyone else who is working hard as well, that if they work hard, take wickets and score runs, they’ve got every opportunity to advance their career as well.”
Childs has been a prominent figure on the Wairarapa cricket scene for some time, and has plenty of support from his family.
In fact, he plays alongside his brother Ethan and father Mark in the Wairarapa senior team.
Perry said his selection was the result of strong performances over a long period of time.
“He’s been a very, very good bowler for a long time.
“He gets a lot of drift and he spins the ball hard, and he turns the ball and also has great control of flight.
“He’s got all the skills that he needs as a spin bowler.”
Being a left arm spin bowler makes him something of a rare commodity in New Zealand cricket circles, but Perry said it was still his responsibility to go out and bowl well at every opportunity.
“The fact that he’s a left arm spin bowler is a competitive advantage, in terms of there’s not too many of those,” Perry said.
“But you’ve still got to bowl very well, and he works hard on all aspects of his game . . . he’s a great fielder with a great arm and a good pair of hands as well, and his batting is very good.”
Ethan was unlucky not to join his brother in the under-19 team, and Perry said he must have missed out by the narrowest of margins.
“He’s [Ethan] come along massively and there’s always a little bit of disappointment when somebody misses out.
“He certainly played very well for us at Chapple Cup and he’s come on in leaps and bounds.
“He’s been superb leading the bowling attack and his batting has been improving all the time.”
