Age is just a number.
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That's the mindset of Riverina coach Trent Ball after he selected South Wagga 15-year-old Jake Scott in the Riverina team to contest the NSW Country Championships in Goulburn this weekend.
The teen batsmen caught the eye of Ball at the Riverina Combined High School trials in Albury last week, after also making a mountain of runs in under-18 representative cricket the week before.
Although he could be the youngest player ever chosen for Riverina, Scott showed what he's capable of against more experienced opposition with his maiden senior half century in the grand final rematch against Wagga City earlier this month.
"I met him and his dad and he's a great kid, so I was happy to bring him in," Ball said.
"I did think he was 17, I didn't realise he was 15 and I only found that out today (Wednesday), so he's probably the youngest to play Riverina.
"He's worth giving a go, he's a good kid and he's made a fair few runs. It's a good chance for him, there's some good cricketers he'll be up against and he'll only be better for it."
Representative cricket is another step up, but Scott said his unbeaten 53 for the Blues gave him confidence he can hold his own against more experienced players.
"It was definitely a surprise. I was there (Albury) at a trial on Monday for school, and he was helping pick the team. He came up to me and asked if I was keen to play, and I was pretty shocked," Scott said.
"Coming into the season I did a lot of work and heading into the Wagga City game I wasn't thinking about scoring big runs.
"I batted at four and felt good and ended up making 50, which definitely gives me confidence knowing I can face a high quality of bowling."
Scott said he will try and treat the carnival like just another game of cricket.
"I was talking to dad last night and he said to have some fun and don't put any pressure on yourself to perform," he said.
Ball said Scott will bat in the middle order, but may get a chance to bat higher on Sunday.
"On the Sunday our opening batsman Matt Sharp is away so we might give him a crack in the top four," Ball said.
"We'll see how we're going on the day.
"We should go really well I think, our bowling's probably as good as it's ever been."
South Wagga teammate Brayden Ambler is the only other Wagga player selected in the team.
Riverina will play 50 over games against ACT on Friday, Western zone on Saturday and Illawarra on Sunday.
The side finished third in the eight-team competition last year with two wins.
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