Premier Cricket: Footscray’s Jordan Buckingham earns state contract

One of the best young talents in Victoria’s top competition will move interstate after 46 wickets in the past two seasons.

Jordan Buckingham has been rewarded for two impressive Premier Cricket seasons. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Footscray spearhead Jordan Buckingham has capped a meteoric rise by earning a rookie contract with South Australia.

The 21-year-old was struggling to break into the Dogs’ Premier Cricket First XI line-up three seasons ago, but has impressed with the new ball the past two summers to secure a chance at state level that has arrived earlier than expected.

His ability to take on the role of leading Footscray’s bowling attack coupled with an impressive action and run-up piqued the Redbacks’ interest.

Speculation became fact on Thursday and Buckingham’s move, which has been in the works for several weeks, means he will hone his craft under the watchful eye of one of the finest fast bowlers Australia has produced in SA coach Jason Gillespie.

“We had a chat and said we both have similar actions in a way and bowl pretty similarly,” Buckingham said.

“It’s an awesome opportunity. His credentials speak for themselves, so it’ll just be amazing.

“I’m sure his little bits of advice along the way will go a long way for me.”

Buckingham has been named in Cricket Victoria’s Emerging Performance Squad the past two years, showing he had attracted the attention of selectors in his home state.

He came through Greenvale Kangaroos, making his top-team debut in 2017-18 and going on to play 16 games for a return of 10 wickets.

Buckingham’s first season at Footscray featured just three First XI appearances.

But a raft of injuries in the bowling ranks during 2019-20 proved the catalyst for a breakout campaign as he grabbed 26 wickets at 22.31 apiece.

Buckingham backed up those efforts in 2020-21, collecting 21 wickets at 25.38 in a season of one-day fixtures.

“I didn’t get the wickets I would have liked (in 2020-21), but playing that lead role for the second year straight, I think teams start to plan and try to work you out a little bit more,” he said.

“I might have flown under the radar a little bit the previous season.

“It was definitely a good challenge, but happy with how it all worked it out in the end.”

SA’s scouts were also zeroing in on the young gun during the season, attending Footscray fixtures to see Buckingham in full flight.

They would have noted his consistency, ability to hit the seam and the swing he can generate.

Buckingham has also been working diligently on his bouncer and “change-up ball” in recent times.

“They (SA scouts) came and watched a couple of games, and I obviously found that out after this season,” he said.

“Then they expressed their interest, I flew over, and it was just a no-brainer for me. The facilities, the coaching staff, everything was just awesome.”

Buckingham praised his two Premier clubs for their contribution to his development.

“Obviously through my juniors at Greenvale, they were huge,” he said.

“To then make the move to Footscray, I haven’t looked back and my development sort of sky-rocketed when that move came. I’m very grateful to them.”

Buckingham said mum Jodie, father Steve and brother Zac had “been my biggest supporters over the journey”.

The Redbacks unveiled a new-look squad after finishing bottom of the table in the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup competitions.

Buckingham has not ruled out taking the field in his first season but is acutely aware there is plenty of hard work ahead.

“However it happens, I’m just stoked to be a part of it all,” he said.

The rookie will fly to Adelaide in June for fitness testing before completing his move by the end of next month.