Victoria and St Kilda batter Jon Merlo says he’s made a ‘super positive’ switch to his batting

Victoria-listed batter Jon Merlo has recorded two centuries in a week and he says it’s come as a result of a switch in his mindset between formats.

Jon Merlo. Picture: Hamish Blair

Victorian batter Jon Merlo says moulding the difference in his mindset between formats is to account for his impressive run of form.

Merlo, 25, struck 111 for the Victorian Second XI during the week before recording 139 for St Kilda six days later on Sunday.

Both centuries included a raft of boundaries and were scored at a strike rate of 84 and 89 respectively.

Having worked his way back into the Victorian Marsh Cup side, Merlo is now looking towards a return to the Sheffield Shield XI and says combining his approach to all formats is working in his favour.

“I think in previous years coming back from the Big Bash, I have struggled to get back into the swing of things,” he says.

“One of the things I have tried to work on is just try to be as consistent as possible in all three formats with how I bat and not try to change things.

“With my role within the Vics at the moment, it’s been predominantly white ball and then trying to play Shield cricket, it’s a lot different.

“So for me it’s just been trying to not change that and keep my batting style and mentality similar.

“I am just trying to keep things super simple and be super positive.”

Merlo drives. Picture: Hamish Blair

If Merlo is to return to the Victorian Shield side, it will likely be in the absence of Matt Short, who is with Australia’s One-Day squad.

Merlo says Short’s minor change from white ball to red ball is something he is trying to mimic.

“Previously in red-ball cricket, especially when I have gone up and played Shield cricket, I have probably tried to be the guy that really locks in,” he says.

“I can do that but I am trying to keep the three formats as simple as possible and that means for me, being a free-flowing scorer and being aggressive at times.

“We’ve seen it with Shorty (Matt Short), he’s brought that mentality into all three formats and doesn’t really change too much and it’s worked well for him.

“Probably not to the extent of Shorty because he is completely dominant no matter where you bowl it, but for me it’s understanding what I need to defend and anything outside that I can play my shots.

“I feel like the more positive I am, the better I actually defend and the better I can negate good bowling.”

Merlo has a finishing role within the Victorian white-ball set up. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)

Merlo bowling for the Saints. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Centuries have come regularly for Merlo since his return to cricket approximately a year ago.

The right-hander steered St Kilda to a preliminary final last summer and is one of the most prized wickets in the Saints’ star-laden side.

He is thankful of St Kilda, believing time in Premier Cricket has had a lot to do with his development over the past 12 months.

“I think my mindset has changed to just enjoying the journey more than feeling the pressure, I guess,” he says.

“Sometimes when you come through 15s, 17s, 19s Vic and play in the Aussie 19s, there’s a bit of expectation that you put on yourself that you need to constantly be moving up the ranks.

“I think it is so rare for players to breeze through and just walk through every level.

“I think for me, learning how to craft runs in club cricket has helped me a lot with confidence to say I can adapt to different conditions, adapt to games and still score runs.

“That’s helped me a lot.”