Ventnor appear to have unearthed a gem in 20-year old Tasmanian prospect Sean Willis.
The young Australian, who is part of the Ageas Bowl based Elite International Academy, hit an undefeated 79 to steer Ventnor to a significant five-wicket win over St Cross Symondians, who have opened with two defeats.
It was the second week running Willis had held Ventnor’s batting together, having made a defiant 73 in the loss against Havant the previous week.
“He’s a top quality player and very decent guy with it. He’ll get stacks of runs this summer,” said Ventnor team-mate Rob Snell.
“Beating St Cross was a top win for us. We’ve lost a lot of quality players and are fielding loads of youngsters, so a win will boost confidence no end.”
Willis hit three sixes and seven fours in his undefeated 79 as Ventnor successfully chased down a modest St Cross Symondians total of 140 to win with 24 overs to spare.
After losing two early wickets, Matt Haworth (30) and Adam Rouse (37) rallied for St Cross, but once their resistance was broken, the Winchester side gradually subsided.
Snell (3-22) took out the middle-order and and Hugh Calloway (4-26) went through the tail.
Ventnor’s openers went cheaply and at 48-3 problems appeared to lie ahead.
But Willis found a reliable partner in the influential Calloway (21) and together they added a vital 62 to tilt the match back Ventnor’s way.
St Cross threw the ball to former Hampshire second team wicketkeeper Adam Rouse, who removed Calloway, but they couldn’t dismiss match winner Willis.
The young Australian, who is part of the Ageas Bowl based Elite International Academy, hit an undefeated 79 to steer Ventnor to a significant five-wicket win over St Cross Symondians, who have opened with two defeats.
It was the second week running Willis had held Ventnor’s batting together, having made a defiant 73 in the loss against Havant the previous week.
“He’s a top quality player and very decent guy with it. He’ll get stacks of runs this summer,” said Ventnor team-mate Rob Snell.
“Beating St Cross was a top win for us. We’ve lost a lot of quality players and are fielding loads of youngsters, so a win will boost confidence no end.”
Willis hit three sixes and seven fours in his undefeated 79 as Ventnor successfully chased down a modest St Cross Symondians total of 140 to win with 24 overs to spare.
After losing two early wickets, Matt Haworth (30) and Adam Rouse (37) rallied for St Cross, but once their resistance was broken, the Winchester side gradually subsided.
Snell (3-22) took out the middle-order and and Hugh Calloway (4-26) went through the tail.
Ventnor’s openers went cheaply and at 48-3 problems appeared to lie ahead.
But Willis found a reliable partner in the influential Calloway (21) and together they added a vital 62 to tilt the match back Ventnor’s way.
St Cross threw the ball to former Hampshire second team wicketkeeper Adam Rouse, who removed Calloway, but they couldn’t dismiss match winner Willis.
