Ashkenazi and Smith stars of the future

Frankston Peninsula paceman Ashkenazi has secured his position in the strong Heat 1^st XI bowling attack this season, after picking up 4-34 against Dandenong in round four.

Ashkenazi will lead the Victorian attack at the Under-19 National Championships to be played in Adelaide in January.

Opening batter and wicketkeeper, Essendon Maribyrong Park’s Emily Smith has developed at a rapid pace this season under the tutelage of several Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit players at the Bombers.

She struck season-high totals of 51 and 34 during November and also impressed with her glovework, having executed six stumpings and has been recently named in the Victorian under-18 squad for the National Championships.

Introduced in 2005-06, the award is presented each season to the best under-19 Victorian male and female player based on the their form at Premier Cricket level and in National Championships, with nominations selected by a panel of committee members on a monthly basis. 

The winners of the Commonwealth Bank Future Star Award will be crowned at the Cricket Victoria Gala night in April.

Commonwealth Bank Future Star Award 2012-13 nominees
October: Jack Taylor (Prahran CC) & Alana King (Dandenong CC)
November:  Ben Ashkenazi (Frankston Peninsula CC) & Emily Smith (Essendon Maribyrnong Park CC)

Commonwealth Bank Future Star Award past winners
2011-12: Meyrick Buchanan (Geelong CC) & Anna Lanning (Box Hill CC)
2010-11: Dylan Kight (Footscray-Edgewater CC) & Molly Strano (Essendon Maribyrnong Park CC)
2009-10: Alex Keath (Melbourne CC) & Cassie Brock (Essendon Maribyrnong Park CC)
2008-09: David King (Ringwood CC) & Meg Lanning (Box Hill CC)
2007-08: Michael Hill (Melbourne CC) & Elyse Villani (Essendon Maribyrnong Park CC
2006-07: Kumar Sarna (Dandenong CC) & Jessica Cameron (Brunswick Park CC)
2005-06: Aaron Finch (Geelong CC) & Emma Inglis (Brunswick Park CC)