March 1, 2013
Young Redgate off-spinner Jared Sippel couldn’t stop smiling on Saturday with the news that he has been selected in the 15 & Under Australian Schoolboys team to tour Sri Lanka in May.
The Murgon High School student, who has just turned 14, was one of two Queenslanders selected for the squad after putting in a solid performance for Queensland at the National School Sport Australian 15 & Under Championships in Canberra last week.
Jared flew down to Canberra on February 22 and played against Victoria, Western Australia, the ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
He tied as the leading wicket taker during the competition.
The squad will start training in Brisbane on May 6 before flying out to Sri Lanka on May 8.
They will play three 50-over matches (in Galle, Colombo and Kandy) and two T20 games before the tour culminates in a two-day match in Colombo.
Jared comes from a cricketing family.
His grandfather, Nev Kratzmann, is currently playing for Australia in an Over 60s cricket competition in South Africa, and his father Ashley plays for Gympie Gold in the Wide Bay competition.
Jared told southburnett.com.au on Saturday that he was hoping to make a career out of cricket.
But his proud mum Leanne was more cautious: “It’s a long road and there’s so many talented junior players.”
The next challenge is to raise the money for Jared to go overseas.
“We will need to do a fair bit of fund-raising,” Leanne said.
“It will cost $3000 for Jared to go and $3000 for any adult that goes with him.
“We will be looking for any support that we can get.
“The Murgon community has been marvellous supporting Jared. I would like to thank them, the South Burnett Regional Council, the South Burnett Cricket Association and the Murgon & District Cricket Club who have all got him to this point.”
