Nov. 8, 2014

GLENN Hannah considered himself a batsman a couple of years ago.

Then he grew and discovered he could bowl, and with a bit of pace. Those around him — namely representative selectors — started to take notice.

“My bowling has definitely picked up over the last two years. I probably considered myself more of a batsman in juniors rather than a bowler,” he said.

“It’s really been over the last couple of years that it’s changed to the other way around.

“It’s just growth. I’ve gone through a growth spurt which has helped me develop as a bowler and find more pace.”

Hannah, 18, is the youngest member of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association (WDCA) squad chasing Festival of Cricket success this weekend.

The Nestles paceman, who is about 200 centimetres tall, represented the WDCA at the Twenty20 tournament last year in division two.

He has also played representative cricket in juniors but will feature alongside the best cricketers in the association for the first time today.

But to say Hannah looks out of place is to do him an injustice. He is a contender to take the new ball ahead of Hank Schlaghecke and Jason Mungean.

“I haven’t really thought about how it’s going to go,” he said.

“The aim is to try and be successful but I’m going to try and enjoy it as it comes and do my best and the results will come.

“I’d love to start off with the new ball but I’d be happy to bowl whenever.”

Nestles has been Hannah’s cricket home since he started in the under 13s.

The King’s College student is also a basketballer, although cricket is his sporting priority and allows him to forget about his year 12 studies for a few hours.

“It’s been pretty easy. Cricket is a good way to relax from the study and take your mind off things and hang around with your mates,” he said.

Glenn McGrath is his idol in the sport while Ian “Lefty” Wright and teammate Geoff “Whiz” Williams have helped him capitalise on his genetic gifts. He doesn’t consider himself intimidating as a bowler but knows his height works in his favour.

“I get good bounce out of the wickets, even on hard wickets,” he said. As for his future ambitions, Hannah hopes this weekend can help him earn selection for Melbourne Country Week in February.

“It was a little bit of a surprise (to get selected). There are a lot of other talented bowlers out there. It’s a privilege,” he said.

“I’m not going to let it slip. I’m going to try my best to impress and get into the Country Week side. That’s my aim.”