Former Bacchus Marsh gun Archie Lalor and Caroline Springs batter Farzan Chowna have been named as part of Cricket Victoria’s first, talented rookie program.
The new high-performance initiative will further bolster Cricket Victoria’s connection with Premier Cricket, providing emerging players with targeted individualised programming to enhance the development of the next generation of Victorian rookies.
This will involve tailored individual plans for all identified players, targeted skill development, analysis and leadership sessions, training and education opportunities with the Victorian senior squad, while also working closely with the Melbourne Stars and Renegades T20 teams and performance managers.
Furthermore, rookies will be provided the opportunity to work closely alongside Cricket Victoria’s specialised sports science and sports medical teams, educating and preparing them for the rigors of playing professional cricket.
Players will also receive the opportunity to play in meaningful T20 games, under-19 and rookie matches and represent Victoria’s second XI, should their performances warrant selection.
Chowna, 20, had a breakout season in Victorian Premier Cricket in 2023-24 with Essendon, earning selection in a Victorian second XI squad.
Lalor, who plays for Northcote, is part of a squad aiming for the final Australian under-19 squad.
Cricket Victoria’s head of male cricket David Hussey said he believes the new program will provide outstanding opportunities for emerging players to further their development, supporting the state’s ambitions for sustained success for years to come.
“The Targeted Rookie Program is great opportunity to enhance the development of some of Victoria’s most exciting young talent,” he said.
“The age profile of our current Victorian playing list has a significant number of players in the mid-twenties meaning we have a great core of players who will hopefully be key figures for Victorian cricket for years to come.
“This initiative is important so that we can keep topping up that core group with young talent, so that our Victorian, Renegades and Stars teams can have sustained success for years to come.”
