When Archie Wearne and Logan Watts decided to make the switch to the ACT Premier Cricket competition ahead of the 2020/21 season, they were small fish in a big pond.
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Now, 18 months on, their skill-sets and cricketing smarts have come on in leaps and bounds, which has resulted in a call-up to the ACT Under 18s squad.
The pair were selected on the back of their performances for Eastlake, along with their results in the Elite Under 19s competition, in which they both represented the Southern Tablelands.
Since making the move to Canberra, Wearne believes both he and Watts have matured in their approach to the game.
"My confidence [is what has most improved]," Wearne said.
"At the moment I think I can go out whenever I play and execute my plan with around 90 per cent accuracy. That's what's brought me into these teams, you've got to have confidence and be comfortable in your own skin.
"In the past year, Logan's gotten a lot better. He's matured as a bowler, he's not just searching for wickets. He's learned to stick to a plan, and isn't just looking to hit the stumps or bounce people out. He's hitting his spots and letting the ball do the talking ... I think he's matured a lot."
As both young men are the same age, they have played ample cricket together throughout the years and have formed a strong friendship.
But while Wearne is now in his third year of playing in ACT rep sides, Watts is new to the scene.
With more representative cricket experience of the two, Wearne has taken it upon himself to help Watts feel more at ease within the squad.
"It was really hard my first time when I didn't know anyone," Wearne said.
"We had to go away for a week and play with these guys who I'd never met and were a lot better than me.
"I keep on telling Logan to relax, because I can tell he's a very nervous person when it comes to carnivals. If he can relax and play his best cricket, he'll do fine."
While in previous years, Wearne has been happy to be a part of the squad and absorb the knowledge and lessons imparted by older players and the coaching staff, this year he has set his goals higher and hopes to impress as a member of the XI.
"This year I'm going with the mindset that I need to play well to make it into these [higher level] teams," Wearne said.
"Teams like the 18s NSW Country team, I just really want to get in those teams and see where that takes me, and I can start over next year."
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