Eighteen-year-old Northlander Nick Stobart is a genuine up-and-comer in cricket.
The Whangarei Boys' High School player, who also represents the Northland Senior Secondary Schools and the Northern Districts Under-19s team, was last month nominated for the GB Sports "Future Knights/Spirit" Player of the Month Award.
While Stobart didn't win the award, his performances for Northern Districts at the national under-19 tournament are worthy of applause. Stobart was the highest wicket taker for Northern Districts, claiming 11 wickets at an average of 19.27 and an economy rate of four runs per over. And Stobart didn't stop there.
With the bat, the young man carried a respectable lower order average of 22.
Stobart also carries the bat well for Boys' High in the local club competition. On the weekend, he scored an unbeaten half century in his side's Lion Red Cup clash against Kamo. Prior to that, Stobart notched up a swift 39, from 49 deliveries, against Maungakaramea.
