Brisbane Heat quickie and son of a gun links with Melbourne in Premier Cricket
Sensing an opportunity to break into the Victorian Sheffield Shield squad, Queenslander Jack Prestwidge will play Premier Cricket with the Demons next season.
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Melbourne has moved quickly to replenish its fast-bowling stocks, signing Queenslander Jack Prestwidge.
Sensing an opportunity to break into the Victorian Sheffield Shield squad, the 24-year-old is relocating to Melbourne, and told the Demons today he would be joining.
Prestwidge had a number of Premier clubs on his tail.
But a connection with former Melbourne coach Adam Dale kicked in for the Dees.
Prestwidge’s father, Scott, played a lot of cricket with Dale for Queensland, and they have remained close.
Prestwidge has had 10 Big Bash League matches for Brisbane Heat since making his debut against Sydney Thunder in 2018-19. That season he also played one limited overs match for Queensland, taking 2-62 against Tasmania.
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Last season he had appearances for the Queensland Second XI and represented the Cricket Australia XI against the English Lions.
“He brings a lot great cricket ability, and it’s allround skill, and he’s a quality person,’’ new Melbourne coach Ben Vague said of Prestwidge.
“Great acquisition for our cricket club considering we’ve lost two great MCC people and fast bowlers in ‘Trem’ (Chris Tremain, who is returning to NSW) and Jackson Coleman (switched to Footscray).
“We think he’ll play a big role for our cricket club next season.’’
Vague said the Demons believed Prestwidge could perform well in Premier Cricket and gain the interest of the Victorian selectors.
“He’s moving here to pursue further opportunities … and in the short number of highlights I’ve seen I’d say he’s got a lot to offer not just Melbourne, but Victorian cricket.
“We look forward to supporting him through that journey.’’
Prestwidge is a right-arm fast bowler who, according to the Brisbane Heat website, can hit 140km/h. He is also a clean-striking late-order batsman.
The Demons have also picked up all-rounder Jack Craig from the strong Cricket Albury Wodonga competition.
He came to their attention while playing for the Victorian team at last season’s national country championships.
A versatile batsman and off-spinner, he was part of the Mark Ridgway-coached Vics side that won the title.
In the final against WA he made 36 off 40 balls.
At club level he was cricketer of the year in the Cricket Albury Wodonga Provincial First Grade competition after hitting 586 runs at 39 and taking 29 wickets at 17.
He cracked 795 runs and had 28 wickets in the previous season.
The son of legendary Wodonga fast bowler Bob Craig, the 23-year-old popped up for a stint at Footscray six years ago.