South Gambier cricketer Elwood Geary recently competed at the under 17 national championships, however his competition was unfortunately cut short as he suffered an injury.
The youngster was selected in the Victoria Country team at the national championships after showing his skill in the Mount Gambier and Districts Cricket Association.
Geary is a pace bowler and genuine wicket taker for South’s A grade team and last season helped guide the Demons to a win in the Dycer Constructions Big Bash grand final taking 3/16.
The tournament was played in Ballarat last month with Victoria Country’s tournament finishing in a fight for seventh place on the final day.
Victoria Country played South Australia in the first match, batting first with Geary coming in at 10.
Geary got a chance to bat but could only make two from eight deliveries before being caught as the team finished 10/168.
Geary then bowled four overs finishing with figures of 0/17 as South Australia went past the first innings score in his fifth over.
He did not bat in the next match against Tasmania but bowled three overs, restricting the batsmen to 0/16, with the Victoria Country bowling attack defending a massive 240 total with the ball.
Geary was unfortunately not available for selection for the next two matches after suffering a hamstring injury.
“The second day did not go to plan, I strained my hamstring and missed the next few games,” Geary said.
Geary still made the most of the opportunity while injured.
“Being around the team for the days I was injured being able to learn and take in information from the people around me was huge for me,” he said.
Geary said it was disappointing to miss two matches at his second national championships, his first since under 12s.
“Not being able to play for three days, missing two games and not getting the chance to be able to play as much as I wanted was very disappointing,” he said.
Geary returned against the Australian Capital Territory for the first final, bowling three overs and finishing with figures of 0/17.
He said it was a great feeling to get back out there after a setback.
“Going through rehab with the physio from the day of the injury to Wednesday working towards playing again was a great feeling,” he said.
Victoria Country played Queensland in the final match and Geary finally picked up his first wicket of the carnival, taking the wicket of Queensland’s Steven Hogan who had made 102 before Geary brought his innings to an end.
Geary was pleased with his efforts in the final matches and it provided a highlight of his tournament.
“Getting through injury rehab and being told I would be able to play the last two games of the tournament, then being able to bowl and take wicket on the last day was the highlight for me,” he said.
Geary’s final match of the carnival was brought to an end with figures of 1/55 from eight overs as Victoria Country lost by 61 runs, bowled out for 217 chasing 278.
