ACT Comets captain and Queanbeyan Cricket batsmen Jono Dean believes star all-rounder Vele Dukoski can fellow his footseps in gaining a state cricket contract in the near future.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Comets and Queanbeyan teammate Dukoski was last week named the Futures League player of the 2013/14 season after a brilliant debut season for the Comets.
And the 24-year old backed up this reward immediately with a stunning 128 not out that saved Queanbeyan a spot in the Douglas Cup grand final.
The minor premiers only needed a draw to advance past ANU at Sterling oval last weekend, and tied the scores at 228 on first innings.
But after piling on a further 212 runs in their second innings, ANU had Queanbeyan 3/10 and with 55 overs to bowl them out for an outright win, would have backed themselves for the upset.
But Dukoski showed why he is a genuine up-and-comer for Cricket Australia- almost turning the game on its head and gaining an outright victory to Queanbeyan- and Comets captain and Queanbeyan batsmen Jono Dean said his hard work has paid off.
"There's no doubt he's a genuine all-rounder," said Dean. "Over the years I've had numerous discussions with Vele about lifting with the bat, and he made his maiden first grade hundred on the weekend."
Dukoski appeared in all four Futures League matches for the Comets, amassing 314 runs with the bat and taking sixteen wickets with the ball.
His six wickets in their final match against Western Australia included a hat-trick- only the third such occurence in Comets history.
He was one of the Douglas Cup's best bowlers too, claiming 78 victims.
And Dean hoped selectors from the states in the Futures League kept a close eye on him.
"I hope he has a big pre-season this year and we all know he loves to play his shots, so I don't see any reason why he couldn't push a claim for a T20 spot as an all-rounder [in the Big Bash League]," said Dean.
Dean said Dukoski's individual brilliance makes him a saving grace in teams that he plays in.
Vele Dukoski Futures League Statistics:
Played: four;
Innings: eight;
Runs: 314;
Wickets: 16.