Ayoung Limestone Coast cricketer has added another feather to his career cap after representing South Australia at the Under 19 National Championships.


Hamish Case, who played his junior cricket at West Gambier and Yahl, currently plays in Adelaide for Tea Tree Gully in the SACA Premier League.


He recently made the trip to Albury, New South Wales, with the tournament being played over the course of a week.


It was the third Under 19 National Championships Case had attended, which had him entering the week slightly more confident having previously performed on the national stage.


“Going into the carnival I definitely had more confidence,” Case said reflecting on the competition.


“Performance wise I probably was not playing at my best, but I have played in the carnival for three years now so I definitely did not have that fear I had in previous years,” Case said.


Case faced some struggles with the bat early in the championships with scores of 4, 1 and 17 in his first three matches, however he persevered and in the final few matches showed his class, starting with an unbeaten 47 against Victoria Country in a big win for South Australia.


In the second match of the tournament SA faced NSW Metro – which eventually went on to win the tournament – and chasing 196 SA was in a good position at 3/111 but the side lost 7/41 and fell short of Metro’s score.


After four minor round matches South Australia was seventh on the ladder and played two finals matches on the last two days of the tournament.


In the first final Case looked in form early as he quickly made his way to 23 off 30 deliveries as SA chased down a low total.


Unfortunately Case was caught, leaving the other SA batsman to finish the job.


In SA’s final match against NSW Country Case proved why he is such a promising talent, as he played a superb match in which he had an impact with both ball and bat.


With SA batting first, Case came in at five and played a masterful innings, scoring 102 not out from just 100 balls.


His innings included 10 fours and three sixes as he dominated the opposition’s bowling attack.


Case was pleased with his hundred and relieved to know he could play against the best talent in the country.


“The hundred was definitely something I was happy with,” he said.


“It was sort of a relief to know that I have the ability to score a ton against the best talent in the country.


“Considering the tournament I had early on as well it was great to feel at my best and get a good high score and ultimately help the team get a large score and win the game.”


Case’s final day innings was a personal highlight and ranked highly amongst previous innings.


“The innings I would say was definitely one of my better knocks,” he said.


“The feeling of getting a score after a down slope in form makes the ton even better.


“I would probably put the ton in my top three scores, but I have definitely had one or two where I felt better in the moment.”


After setting a huge total of 292 for the opposition to chase SA had no problem defending it with Case in particular playing a big hand in restricting NSW Country to just 140 runs.


Case picked up 3/34 from six overs, which included an important wicket in the top order.


The youngster was also pivotal in the field, taking two catches and helping SA to a 152 run victory.


Despite a successful end to the tournament, Case was still displeased with his slow start.


“Over the tournament I definitely did not feel like I played my best,” he said.


“Although, I was pleased that my performances got progressively better and better which was a positive I’ll take out of the tournament.”


Case remains positive though, with a strong finish to wrap up the championships.


“In the end though, I probably was not as pleased in how I played, however I’ll still stay positive in the way I was able to finish strong,” he said.


“Personally I was not too disappointed with my performance as cricket is a game of ups and downs even when we feel good as a player sometimes results may not show.


“But the best can ride those waves so sometimes you have to get through the down times to enjoy those high times.”


A tournament highlight for Case was seeing a fellow teammate and close friend be selected in the team of the tournament.


“Kane Halfpenny had an unreal week and he deserves the credit as he is a great player and he showed the country what he can do at the highest level for the junior age group,” Case said.


Halfpenny scored 256 runs during the Under 19 National Championships with an average of 42.67, having played a consistent role for SA passing 40 four times from the six matches.