WARATAH-born Nathan Price is in such demand that he has been named in three representative sides after outstanding displays in the 2012 Imparja Cup and in Sydney grade cricket for Randwick-Petersham. It's a busy schedule for the former Wallsend all-rounder.
Price has not only won selection for the indigenous development squad for October's tour of India, but has also been named as a member of the honourary Black Caps side - comprising the best players from the Imparja Cup.
Price played in last night's final of the Imparja Cup in Alice Springs and will today travel to Hobart for NSW's Futures League match against Tasmania. Having recently scored 150 not out in grade cricket before notching 97 not out against Queensland and 74 not out on Friday against Tasmania in the Imparja Cup, it is no surprise Price's form has received attention.
''It's a great opportunity,'' he said of the trip to India. ''I know it's going to be a bit of a struggle when I first get there. I'll have to adjust my batting style for sure, but it will provide an opportunity for my game to adapt and evolve.''
Price is hopeful that if he keeps impressing selectors, an opportunity to play first-class cricket will come.
''I just have to be consistent,'' he said. ''I'd like to play first-class cricket; I'd love to play Test cricket. Short term I'd just love to cement my place in the second XI and do well …
''Being 24 now, I definitely have time on my side, even if it takes a couple of years to make it.''
Price's form has caught the attention of NSW chairman of selectors David Freedman. ''His 150 not out in his last grade innings was particularly impressive, so we're keen to have a look at him at the next level,'' Freedman said.
''That's the good thing about this competition - you can expose some guys to a higher level of cricket, which is something they don't normally get a chance to do.''
With the make-up of the Futures League changing this year to increase the number of over-23 players from three to six, Price thinks the right balance has been found. ''Last year they only had three over-23 players, which I think was a little lacking in experience,'' he said.
''So I think it's a good mix when you have six under-23-year-olds and six over-23-year-olds in the squad. Us boys that are just over 23 can still push for senior representative cricket. Having the older guys there in the squad is only going to help the younger guys.
''It's hard to learn off young guys that are your age and at your level. If you've got guys like Phil Jaques, who has that level of experience, it's only going to help your game.''
Price said he had gained a lot from the Imparja Cup, a tournament he thinks offers more than just cricket.
''It's a tournament that promotes indigenous cricketing talent throughout Australia and to be a part of that is amazing,'' he said.
''There are so many talented kids coming through and this is a great way to showcase that talent.
''Down at Alice Springs, they seem to get so much out of this tournament each year; the locals get right behind it. It brings together all the communities and all the cultures from indigenous Australia all into one place - it's fantastic.''
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