NSW Blues wicketkeeper Jay Lenton is focused on one-day cup glory

Wicketkeeper Jay Lenton steps out of Brad Haddin and Peter Nevill’s shadow to stand behind the stumps for the NSW Blues.

Cricketer Jay Lenton poses for a photo at the Sydney Cricket Ground (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

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NSW Blues wicketkeeper Jay Lenton says his team is fully prepared for its first JLT One-Day Cup match at the WACA on Friday.

The team left for the season opener in Perth yesterday, after ending its pre-season campaign with a successful training camp last week.

“Things are looking fantastic. We spent 10 days in Brisbane with the whole squad,” Lenton told the Express Advocate.

Cricketer Jay Lenton at the Sydney Cricket Ground (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

“We played four matches and we really got a lot out of it. It’s an exciting time, it’s the first time the Cup has been out of NSW and we’re all very excited, fit and ready to go.”

Lenton lived in Lake Munmorah and Toukley as a youngster, and it was where he first fell in love with cricket.

It certainly hasn’t been an easy journey to professional sport for Lenton, who was dropped after securing his first rookie contract with the NSW Blues at the end of the 2013-14 season.

“It’s not your typical journey like with some of the big name talent. I played cricket on the Central Coast and then thought I’d give Sydney a crack, I spent time at North Sydney when I was 18,” he said.

Jay Lenton batting for Manly against Bankstown (Photo: Phillip Rogers)

“I picked up a rookie contract with NSW, it was all a bit of a surprise for me, you really have to perform, and being around the team I probably took the first year for granted.”

Lenton had a point to prove to selectors and fought his way back after a stint in the NSW Premier Cricket competition.

The now 27-year-old was handed a second opportunity, as he picked up a new deal with NSW for the 2015-16 campaign.

Lenton then went on to make his first-class debut in the Sheffield Shield against Victoria.

Jay Lenton celebrates with Fawad Ahmed after taking a wicket during the BBL game at the SCG (Picture: Gregg Porteous)

“It’s sort of rare to get that second opportunity and it’s been a different journey to the standard kid coming through. I’m pretty proud of myself for being able to achieve that,” he said.

Lenton also added another achievement to his resume this year, as he made his Big Bash League debut for the Sydney Thunder last season.

“It was a shock to play at the SCG in front of 40,000 people in the derby, it was a childhood dream,” he said.

“It took me to another level.”