Good win for teen

Teenage cricket sensation Jayden Goodwin was crowned winner of the 2019 Myles Junior Sport Star of the Year.

Jayden, who has relocated from Bunbury to Perth in order to fulfil his cricket commitments with the WA men’s cricket team, managed to claim the honour ahead of exceptional swimmer Kyle Lee.

Other finalists in the competition were Andrew Beattie, Madison Bright, Cooper Anderton, Rosie Banks and Kyle Lee.

Following on from a memorable season at club level with Colts, Jayden was the only regional player selected in WA’s under-17s team at the 2018 national men’s cricket championships in Brisbane.

Skippering the team, Goodwin’s form ensured he was selected in the Cricket Australia under-17s team, who were given an opportunity to compete at the under-19 national men’s cricket championships later in the year.

By now, WA men’s team coach Adam Voges was interested in the youngster and promptly signed him on a rookie contract for two seasons.

Despite having an ideal role model growing up in his father Murray, a former Test batsman for Zimbabwe, Jayden also managed to draw plenty from other cricketing greats.

“I am always going to say my dad but aside from him, it would probably be Shane Warne and Mike Hussey,” he said.

“For Shane, it was due to what he brought to the game. He changed the game of cricket, especially with spin bowling.

“I bowl leg spin like him, so he is just the person you want to be like.

“Mike Hussey just loved the game and he was very dedicated about playing for Australia. I read his books and he obviously did not make his debut until he was a lot older than a few others, but he was dedicated.

“His technique really stood out for me and he is one of my batting heroes.”

This season, Jayden has been featuring prominently in Subiaco-Floreat’s first-grade side.