Craig Shepherd believes Eddy Ziebarth would be a CAW first-grader if he was more serious about the sport.

The 15-year-old hit four half-centuries in racking up 343 runs during Country Week, at an average of 85.75.

“I think for the whole week he gave two chances,” Shepherd said.

“It’s pretty amazing to make that many runs and give limited opportunities.”

Ziebarth plays under Shepherd at under 16 level for East Albury, but he then heads home to play for Burrumbuttock’s A grade in the Brocklesby and District Association.

“I used to take cricket seriously, but then I haven’t been taking it as seriously before Christmas,” Ziebarth said.

“Last year I was playing football and wasn’t concentrating on cricket for a bit.

“I took Country Week a bit more seriously, and tried a bit harder.”

Ziebarth played alongside East Albury first-grader Austin Shepherd in an under 14 premiership two years ago, and Shepherd believes his talent is comparable with any youngsters in the top grade.

“Absolutely, but I think he just enjoys it at Burrumbuttock, there’s less pressure out there, and I know at East Albury we’re trying to get him across next year,” he said.

But Shepherd says Ziebarth won’t back away from pressure.

“I normally bat him at number three in the 16s, but we worked out during Country Week that he’s better batting when the ball’s a bit worn,” he said.

“But he loves the pressure, a lot of the time we were five or six for 50, and Eddy would come in and whack his 50, 60, 70 or 80 in even time.

“He’s a real country kid, he loves his fishing, shooting and he’s got dogs so I think he loves getting out bush.”

The Country Week tournament was a breakthrough carnival for the Year 10 Scots School student, after average form earlier in the season.

“I had a bat that had a snapped handle, and I just got a new one, so, I don’t know, I’ll just claim that,” he laughed.

Prior to Country Week, Ziebarth had played some representative cricket, and Shepherd would like to see him return to the higher standard.

“I would have loved to see him play North East Knights, see how good he really is down at that level,” he said.

“He’s just a beautiful stroke-player, plays very straight, anything short he’ll put it away.

“He’s just very correct and he’s got a really good eye.”

Ziebarth’s East Albury Blue outfit sits fifth at under 16 level, but trails the leading teams in runs scored.

So Ziebarth will be looking to put his form to good use as all teams chase the undefeated Tallangatta.