Two Mount Gambier junior cricketers are on the trip of a lifetime, playing on pitches across Zimbabwe and South Africa.


Jayden Prior and Georgia Barrett have embarked on a tour as members of the Jason Gillespie Academy.


Both Prior and Barrett have represented the region in Adelaide playing cricket for Glenelg Cricket Club, as well as playing local cricket over the summer season.


The pair and their families left last week, flying to Qatar and on to Johannesburg, where they have kicked off their matches.


The tour includes seven games, comprising a mixture of T20, 50 overs and a three day match.


When they are not on the field, the youngsters will be treated to a host of social events and activities in both Zimbabwe and South Africa.


Last year Prior was a member of the academy’s Sri Lanka tour where he was team captain.


He has again been named captain this tour, as well as being the number one wicket keeper on the team and opening batter.


The 17-year-old will be one of the younger players in the side which is an under 19 team.


Heading into the tour Prior said he was a bit nervous about travelling to a foreign country, but was excited about the opportunity to play cricket on international pitches while also being coached by former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie


“I’m not nervous about the cricket side of things, I’m more excited about that side of it being coached by Jason Gillespie will be cool,” he said.


“I’m a bit more nervous about the country after hearing all the different stories.”


Prior said he was interested to see how the South African pitches played, given their difference to Australian grounds.


“I think the pitches will be dry, hard and fast, hopefully good for batting on,” he said.


Barrett will be playing in an open women’s team that features a mixed age range of players.


The youngster has been included in the team as both a batter and bowler.


Barrett said she was honoured to be selected for the tour as it was something she was not expecting


“It’s a pretty great feeling, it was unexpected because I only just moved up to Glenelg, but it’s a good experience that’s for sure,” she said.


“I’m definitely looking forward to the different environment of cricket and meeting all the opposing teams who live over there and the different weather and pitch conditions.”


Barrett said she was not feeling too many nerves, but was excited about playing cricket in a different country.