Three half centuries on rain-affected pitches did not deter Port Douglas’ 11-year-old Banjo Jenkins from earning a place in the Queensland Under-12 schoolboys cricket team.

With scores of 15, 53, 75 (no) and 51 (no) and an average of 97.00, he was the second highest run-scorer at the State Championship. He was also selected as the team’s wicket keeper.

As the only underage player selected in the team, he is still eligible for under-12 selection next year.

“I am delighted to have made the team and looking forward to future challenges. This is a dream come true,” said Banjo.

Playing for the Peninsula team Banjo said: “We had a really good team this year with players including Ian Delange, Finn Vikionkorpi and Archie Ferguson and I thought we could win the championship.”

However, the team finished seventh after a couple of close losses to city teams including Met North and the eventual winners Sunshine Coast.

State selection has capped off a breakout year for Jenkins which saw him named Player of the Tournament for the champion team the Darling Dingos in the inaugural Brisbane Premier League T20 competition.

Jenkins played his junior cricket at the Port Douglas Muddies until this year. This year he is playing for the Rovers under 15 team in the Far North competition. Jenkins has fielded multiple offers from Brisbane GPS schools, however, he will attend Mossman High School in 2022. Banjo also represented Peninsula at soccer and aquathlon in 2021