Dylan Brasher’s cricket career blossomed from the moment he scored a century in his first tournament with a Victorian team.
Playing in the title-winning Victorian under-12 team in 2014, Brasher went out and scored 110 not out against the ACT in the final match and was immediately on the radar for underage state team selections.
“The under-12 one was a bit unexpected because it’s hard to get picked when the trials are all over the place,” Brasher said.
“It has snowballed from there.
“I came back from that and you meet people and they say ‘wow, you scored 100’ in that.”
Brasher has been consistently picked for Victorian teams since.
The Taylors Lakes resident has produced some big innings in big games for his state.
None bigger though than his 112 against South Australia at the under-17 national championships in September.
Brasher, playing as the vice captain under budding star Mackenzie Harvey, had a superb tournament with 252 runs at an average of 36, but it was his century against SA that had tongues wagging.
“I probably wasn’t hitting them as well early, but as soon as I got to 50, that’s when I knew I was hitting them out of the middle alright,” Brasher said.
“That 100 is probably the highlight so far.
“It’s something that I’ll never forget, it was pretty special.”
Brasher has also enjoyed some great moments with the Western Spirit at the state championships.
As a bottom-age player in the under-18s, the 16-year-old made a massive 304 runs at 76, including 107 against the North West Wizards and 91 not out against North East Breakers.
He was the top run scorer at the tournament.
The only Spirit player to ever reach 300 at the under-18 state carnival was current Victorian Bushrangers players and Footscray teammate Travis Dean.
Brasher has been blessed with quality coaching and helpful teammates throughout his junior career.
The Spirit has played a big part in his development, as has his current club Footscray and junior club Taylors Lakes.
“I try to take enough things off enough people and try to put them into my own game,” Brasher said.
Brasher is a year 11 student at the Maribyrnong Sports Academy. He credits the school for the development in his game between years 7 to 11 and his evolution as a leader.
“Holmesy [Leigh Holmes], the coach, he’s been really good ever since year 7,” Brasher said. “It’s just amazing the transformation I’ve seen since year 7 to now.”
The future is bright for Brasher.
His ambition is to earn a first XI position for Footscray in the Premier Cricket and begin a push towards a state contract with the Victorian Bushrangers. The Australian baggy green is the ultimate dream.
Brasher is the March nominee for the Don Deeble Rising Star award. The award, hosted by Sunshine Western Region Sports Club and
Star Weekly, recognises young athletes from the western suburbs who have achieved at state and/or national levels.
Brasher will receive $1000, donated by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, and other prizes to help him in achieving his sports goals.
