By Callum Ludwig
A young cricketer from the Upper Yarra is set to mix it with the best young talents at the crease, having been selected for the 2023-24 Vic Metro U17 Male Emerging Players Squad.
Dylan Walker has spent his junior cricket playing for Warburton and the merged Seville Burras side, though he will now ply his trade for Ringwood as part of his rise to the top.
Dylan said he felt pretty honoured to be selected for the squad.
“I wasn’t really expecting it, but it was good to get recognition because it’s been a long time coming, having played cricket all my life and trying out and playing for different rep (representative) teams,” he said.
“Dad played all his cricket at Warburton, so I was always watching him on a Saturday afternoon and then started up in the under 12s at Warby at about seven or eight, and then it was merged with Seville who I played for three years.”
Dylan made his 1st XI debut at the senior level in 2021 at the Seville Burras, getting to play alongside his dad Mick and also featured in the Outer East Eagles representative side in the Youth Premier League last summer, fishing fourth in the Stars League, which is affiliated with Big Bash League franchise the Melbourne Stars.
Dylan said he’s a left-arm off-spinner, right-hand batsman and likes to bat and bowl.
“I love to do everything and it will be good to get the challenge in, to improve my game and just hope to get to the best I can be,” he said.
“Obviously, I’d love to play for Australia one day, that’s always been my dream but you never know, but hopefully I’ll just play at as high of a level as I can.”
In 48 matches, Dylan has hit 1153 runs at an average of 52.41 and a high score of 100 not out, while also nabbing 82 wickets at an average of 12.05 and best figures of 5/7.
Dylan said he doesn’t really know whether he favours wielding the bat or ball.
“At club level last year, I was more of a batsman, but when I’m playing in the rep teams and other stuff, I’m mainly a bowler, so it depends where I’m playing,” he said.
“I think I should be well prepared for playing with the squad, I know a few of the people that are in the squad as well and have played some tournaments with them before, but I think it should be a good challenge and I should be ready to take it on.”
Dylan wanted to give a big thanks to his coaches at the Seville Cricket Club Kane and Len for their support.
