Rolystone resident and Midland-Guildford Cricket Club’s under-15 batsmen started the season with very high batting average

Matthew Russo (14) hit 166 not out against Subiaco-Floreat in a mammoth innings recently that included 10 fours and five sixes.

The Roleystone teenager travels 45 minutes each way to train to Midland-Guildford each week.

His latest big score is the fifth highest ever recorded in the WACA district under-15 competition.

In first place is now Australian star Mitch Marsh, who scored 235 not out as an under-15 for Fremantle Cricket Club.

After hitting a number of scores of 50 or more in a budding batting career, Russo said he was elated to reach triple-figures and go on to double his previous best score.

‘Reaching my hundred was the best feeling ” I think I took off my helmet and leapt in the air,’ he said.

‘It’s a good learning experience to be out in the middle for that long.’

Coming in at number four, Russo batted for 197 minutes, combining with opener Joel Curtis for a partnership of 144 runs.

This season, Russo has scored 297 runs at an average of 99. He has also taken eight wickets as the under-15’s opening bowler at an average of just 13.

Russo said he hoped to be selected to play for the junior WACA squad that heads to Darwin next June. If he impresses selectors there, he could go on to represent the junior national team that tours Sri Lanka late next year.