Tara Murray
The hard work is paying off for Bacchus Marsh’s Jack Lalor.
Having had a breakout year for Northcote last season in the Victorian Premier Cricket, Lalor put his name firmly in the eyes of selectors for higher honours.
A trip to Darwin with the Melbourne Renegades Academy gave him the chance to show his form in the shortest format.
Late last month, he made his state second XI debut making 22 and 28.
Lalor said it was a good feeling to see that the hard work was paying off.
“It has been pretty good,” he said.
“I’ve been able to play and we haven’t even played a game of cricket [Premier Cricket]. I got a head start in Darwin and then last week.
“I’ve put in the hard work over the last year and the preseason for this year.
“I’m 23 now and I’ve put in a couple of years of hard work and they’re taking notice of that.”
A talented junior cricketer, who went through the pathway system and represented Victoria at a junior age, Lalor said last season was a real breakout season for him.
He was named in the Victorian Premier Cricket team of the year making 572 runs at an average of 52, while also taking 14 wickets.
For Lalor it was a call by Northcote coaches a couple of years ago that saw him take his game to the next level.
“I’ve been at Northcote since I was 16,” he said. “I’m still young, but I’ve been there for seven years.
“I’ve played 70 to 80 first XI games now. A couple of years ago I started batting at four and I wanted to cement my spot and take ownership of that.
“Last season was a breakout season by a long way with the bat and ball, I’m rapt with that.”
Lalor said the experience with the Renegades was a really good one. He only batted with an ankle injury limiting his ability to bowl.
He said it was a really good experience and he learned a lot about his game.
Having played just one-day and T20 matches in the last couple of years, Lalor thrived in the opportunity to play in the longer format in the Victorian second XI side.
He said despite the success in the shorter format, it’s the longer format he prefers.
“I definitely love red ball cricket and I’m really keen to get into more if the weather stays away,” he said.
“Especially with my bowling I want to look to improve. In white ball cricket you can have a bad ball and go for one run,
“For me I want to be bowling for longer and bowling consistently for 15-20 overs and at the end of the day looking back and there’s not too many loose balls.
“That’s one thing I’m looking forward to.”
Lalor is hoping to get more opportunities with the state second XI and push claims for the Victorian state team.
With the rain playing havoc with many grounds, including at Northcote, Lalor has been spending plenty of time at his home club, along with his brothers.
“It’s quite funny that the rain seems to get everybody else but here,” he said.
“I love going back to Bacchus Marsh. I’ve grown up playing there and I love going back and helping the young kids.
“I’ve had a good hit and bowl.”
