Two former Mount Gambier cricketers are currently representing their school as part of a United Kingdom cricket tour.

Well-known young guns Hamish Case and Jared Kuhl have travelled to the UK as part of the Prince Alfred College side that will take on a series of local schools and invitation XI sides.

PAC co-curricular director Troy McKinnon said the young cricketers would derive a range of benefits from taking part in the tour.

“Given the ever-changing way of the world, Prince Alfred College sees significant value in tours such as these, in developing well-rounded global citizens,” he said.

“Opportunities to engage with the world, in meaningful and memorable ways, as an extension of the co-curricular offering, are fundamental to an education at Princes.

“We believe that boys benefit greatly in terms of their self-discovery, personal responsibility, organisational skills and managing relationships because of immersion into tours like this one.”

Kuhl, currently in Year 11 at PAC, started playing Under 12 cricket with his older brothers and cousin at South Gambier when he was seven.

“As I got older, I was able to represent different teams and regions such as South East at Country Cup, Southwestern Victoria and Western Victoria at the Youth Premier League in Melbourne and joining Glenelg and Prince Alfred College in their teams over the last couple of years,” he said.

“A more recent highlight was playing A Grade for South Gambier with my two older brothers, Ryan and Adam, earlier this year.”

Kuhl, 16, underwent a selection process from a board of cricket and the sporting community at PAC which consisted of old scholar Greg Chappell, co-curricular director Troy McKinnon, head coach Shannon Tubb and cricket director Sam Knight.

The selection process was based on performance at the school level throughout the year and being a team player and our overall character, which behaviour was considered as well.

“When I heard about the opportunity for a cricket tour, I was very intrigued and eager to get selected which I was able to do through hard work and performance in the first XI and being a team player and behaviour in general at school,” he said.

“I was thrilled when I was informed that I was selected and I could not imagine going on a sporting tour.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the countryside and visiting all parts of England, but I am excited to play some cricket.”

The Year 11 student said he was expecting to face a high level of cricket teams currently halfway through their season.

“We are finished and must get back into form and cricket in general,” Kuhl said.

“This means that we will have to be at our best – we finished undefeated in the Adelaide comp off the back of a strong Intercol performance from the whole team.

“We are coming in with confidence and excitement to begin the tour.

“I know all the boys are keen … and it’s a bit unexpected what we will face, but this is a good test for the group and a challenge we have been looking forward to.”

Case, 17, has also been playing cricket since the age of seven, starting off at Yahl Cricket Club and following in his late father Heath’s footsteps.

“Unfortunately, Yahl was unable to keep numbers so I moved to West Gambier Cricket Club playing juniors and seniors for the club,” he said.

“I was then lucky enough to be able to play for Tea Tree Gully who allowed me to play in the under 14 reds, and slowly moved up to the under 16 reds, all the way through to A grade who I currently play for.

“I have been very fortunate to be a part of the First XI Cricket team since Year 10, and lucky enough to be the captain of the team this year.”

The Year 12 student underwent the same selection as Kuhl for the tour, with schooling behaviour and grades, as well as cricketing performance at the school, assessed.

“I think overall, I was lucky enough to tick those boxes giving me the nod to go ahead with the trip which I am very thankful and extremely lucky to be a part of,” he said.

“I am over the moon to be selected to go on the England cricket tour.

“It’s a dream that I have had for a while now, to play overseas, particularly in England.

“I am looking forward to playing cricket over there, what the conditions are like, hopefully play against some strong quality teams, to challenge myself and ultimately become better for it.

“Also, watching a test at Lord’s is something I know I’ll love and to be there with 17 of my closest mates will make it 10 times better.”

Case said he had not set expectations about the tour and was looking forward to the experience.

“I do not have any real expectations whilst being over there.

“It will be funny to be around the British people and hopefully we’ll see some historical places that I have heard about, and we can explore,” he said.

“We get to play some universities and college teams, as well as a county team which will be a great challenge for the boys – hopefully keeping our undefeated year alive.”