LAST year was a taster, this time coaches expect Nick Skelly to make his mark.
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The Goulburn-trained allrounder has again been selected in the ACT’s squad for next month’s Australian Under 17s Cricket Championships in Hobart.
Last year he was a debutant and faced his cousin and best friend, New South Wales speedster Tom Skelly.
Next month he’ll carry a wiser head into the Championships and won’t need to contend with the New South Wales quick.
“Last year was more about giving him the opportunity, getting him used to that standard,” ACT coach Kyle Piper said.
“This is probably the year he should put his mark on the competition.”
Piper expects the ACT squad to fare better in the 2012 edition of the Nationals. The Canberrans traditionally perform well against their bigger state cousins.
In 2011, however, they assembled an inexperienced lineup and struggled to compete with heavyweights New South Wales. That move should pay dividends this year.
“Last year we took a new approach and blooded some players,” Piper said.
“We should have a better understanding of what’s required this time around.”
The Championships commence on December 10.