Sport
19 January, 2024
Hartnett excelling in cricket
Chad Hartnett had a sensational week for the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association Representative side at country week, held in Horsham from January 8-12.
The 13-year-old took five wickets for the week but it was his tight bowling and economy which was the standout.
On Tuesday, January 9, he took 3/7 off 10 overs with six maidens against Portland. The next day he took 2/22 off 7.3 overs with one maiden against Warrnambool. He didn't manage a wicket against Horsham in the third game but finished with figures of 0/22 off 8 overs with one maiden.
Hartnett said he enjoyed the week.
"It has been a good week. I am very happy," he said.
Hartnett loves his cricket. When St Marys changed the synthetic pitches in the nets, Chad took some of it home and created a cricket pitch in a shed. He said he practices everyday.
"I bowl a lot. I probably bowl around 700 balls a week," he said.
"I focus on line and length not so much on speed. In every over, I am consistent where I am bowling at least 4 or 5 on a good line and length."
Hartnett has also been recognised in junior cricket.
Warracknabeal District Junior Cricket Association will play an interleague game against Ouyen Cricket Association on February 11 and Hartnett was named vice captain and he is looking forward to it.
"It feels good to be recognised," he said.
He has also been playing A-Grade this season for St Marys and has picked up five wickets with an average of 26.2 and when Hartnett was asked about playing in A-Grade he said that it's great.
"It's good playing in A-Grade. The boys are good to play with and I am enjoying my cricket."
St Marys captain Colby Schmidt said that Hartnett has been great this season and has been a real asset to the team.
"He has been brilliant. He bowls really tight and you can always set a good field to him," he said.
"I was a bit worried at the start throwing him into A-grade because if he didn't bowl as well then he would get smacked around a bit and it wouldn't be good for him but he has bowled well and showed what he is capable of.
"He has a good action on him. He is a line and length bowler and his slower pace can be hard to get hold of and can throw you off your game a bit in senior cricket. He has been really good for us in that regard."
Schmidt pointed out Hartnett's cricketing smarts and attitude as a standout feature.
"His attitude and cricket smarts for someone that young is sensational," he said.
"You can tell he watches cricket and reads up on it a lot and listens to his coaches. His cricket intelligence is unbelievable.
"He is definitely going to go far in cricket. He has a very bright future ahead of him."