Premier Cricket: Inside Jai Lemire’s ‘surreal’ double ton for Carlton

Carlton’s Jai Lemire started Sunday just beyond 50 and finished it with an unforgettable double century. He shares his insights on the innings, his development and future goals.

Jai Lemire was inundated with messages the nights before and after his double century.

The Victoria-listed wicketkeeper bat “had to battle through” a tricky period on day one after Carlton dismissed Melbourne for 137 before falling to 4-41 in reply.

Lemire got through unscathed, scoring 51 not out and taking his side just 23 runs shy of victory.

With the entire Sunday to bat, a few of Lemire’s mates sent messages encouraging him to ‘double up’ while his manager suggested he ‘quadruple up, mate’.

He steered the Blues to victory and then took the overnight advice, plundering an authoritative 203 from 291 deliveries.

Lemire, who kept the Dees busy in the field with 32 fours, said his knock still had a dreamlike feeling to it on Monday.

“I mean it’s a little surreal,” he said.

“Day one I didn’t feel that great batting out there, I just had to battle through and on day two it all just fell into place.”

Jai Lemire leaves the field after his double century on Sunday. Picture: Evan Gulbis.

Lemire put the first exclamation mark on his innings the ball after he reached his hundred, carving a shot through the off side for four.

He said he really found his groove after getting to three figures and was desperate to make the most of it.

“I found a bit of a rhythm from 100 onwards, I got a few things to go my way, got a few bad balls I was able to capitalise on,” he said.

“At that stage of the day I was a bit, I suppose we were all unsure of what Evan (Gulbis) was going to do with the game, so I just wanted to move it forward because that was the best way to survive.

“The wicket was just getting better so we were able to play our shots freely which was why I was able to score a few more runs.”

The knock is Lemire’s third Premier Cricket ton after two in his breakout summer last season.

While Sunday’s innings eclipsed his first two, Lemire hasn’t been one to throw it away once he reaches triple-digits.

He said his appetite for scoring big hundreds has come from the guidance of his coaches.

Lemire keeps. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Going through the ranks and coaches, Evan talks about it a lot, he wants me to bat like I’m never going to go out,” he said.

“Other coaches talk to me about how it’s important to spend time in the middle and get a not out, so valuing those things and my wicket are I suppose (how I am) being able to bat long periods of time.”

Lemire started in Carlton’s firsts batting as low as No.10 and evolved from a gap-finder to a gap-piercer.

He said aggression was high on his list of focuses since entering the frame of higher-level cricket.

“Playing at the Albert helps (with the 32 fours) definitely but one of my bits of advice I’ve had over the pre-season has been I need to develop my power game,” he said.

“To go to that next level I need to have those gears, so it’s what I’ve spent a lot of time working on whether it’s at training or in games.

“It’s paid dividends and I’m happy with the way it’s going, hopefully I can keep progressing it.”

Lemire’s 675-run season in a premiership side earned him a spot on Victoria’s books at the end 2023-24.

He’s keeping no secrets about his desire to play Sheffield Shield cricket but, for now, the messages about his 203 are reward enough.

“That Shield arena is the goal but getting the messages I have received over the past day have been so rewarding,” he said.

“I’m so grateful for the network I have around me that’s got me to this place.

“I’m glad to have made a score, for all these coaches around me who have helped me along the way they’ve seen it’s paid off.

“Hopefully they’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.”