MPCA 2020-21: Jayde Herrick to renew old partnership at Langwarrin
Former Victorian tearaway Jayde Herrick explains his decision to change MPCA clubs and has fired a warning shot to opening batsmen in Provincial, declaring: “I still have plenty in the tank for when I need it.”
South East
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Jayde Herrick says a “pact” with a close friend is behind his decision to leave Somerville and join MPCA powerhouse Langwarrin.
The former Victorian paceman signed with the Kangaroos last week and says he can’t wait to play with his “old mate” Tom Hussey, who is Langwarrin’s batsman-keeper and assistant coach.
“We both grew up playing in the DDCA and at Cranbourne and then we played four seasons together at Casey South Melbourne in Premier Cricket,” Herrick said.
“And, yeah, it was just one of those things that he’s always said to me that we had to play again before I finished up and I’m only planning another couple of years of cricket. It seemed a good time to join him.”
Herrick is coming off a spectacular 51-wicket season at Somerville and says while, at 35, he’s in the twilight of his playing career, he feels like he can still bowl with enough pace and hostility to test batsmen.
“I still have plenty in the tank for when I need it,” he said.
Herrick was once clocked at 147.8km/h in a one-day game for Victoria.
“That was definitely my quickest but I can still get up to the 138 to 141km/h range when I’m playing on turf,” he said.
“I don’t quite get to that pace when I’m on synthetic (pitches) because you can’t lock out your front leg the same.
“But I can still get up in the 130s when playing on the synthetic.”
Herrick will team with Langwarrin left-arm fast bowler Travis Campbell to form a formidable new ball attack in MPCA Provincial next season.
Ringwood District Cricket Association star Cameron Sharpe will also be part of Langy’s fast bowlng cartel, as will dual premiership opening bowler Adam Campbell, who is returning after a year off.
The Kangaroos have been a dominant force in recent seasons, winning the 2017-18 and 2018-19 Provincial flags, as well as three consecutive T20 titles.
Herrick says he knows “a fair bit” about Langwarrin, having played against the Kangaroos while at Somerville.
“The previous two years we played them in the semi-final of the Peacock Cup,” he said.
“They were a really well drilled, well oiled team that did everything right basically. It’s going to be good to play with a bunch of guys who tick all the boxes and are always behind you.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there when we are allowed to and meeting all the guys and doing some training and playing. It’s going to be great.”
Herrick’s first-class career from 2010-13 contained highs and lows.
In his first game for Victoria, against England at the MCG, he was barred from the attack for dangerous bowling after being no-balled for high full tosses to Matt Prior and Ian Bell.
In the same game he was also forced to remove a black headband after being told it had to be white and without a logo.
In 2011, Herrick was the leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield after three rounds.
Among his 77 first-class wickets were the scalps of Steve Smith, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey.
He regards dismissing the latter two as career highlights.
“It wasn’t so much the names — I’ve got Steve smith and others out — but those two were real battles,’’ Herrick said.
“You’d be all over them for one over, they’d get you the next over and both of them went on for an eight or nine over period and then it culminated with the wicket at the end so it was a real tussle with two of the greats of Australian cricket and it’s something I’ll never forget...it was some of the best times of my cricket career.
“Starting at seven years of age I had some pretty amazing moments but those two moments were right up there that’s for sure.”
Herrick is also one of the most colourful cricketers in Australia, with tattoos covering most of his body.
His most recent ink addition was four months ago.
“I’m still finishing off my right sleeve, it’s always a work in progress when you’ve got this many done,” he said.
“Both legs are full (and) both arms are full.”
Langwarrin president Gary Rees said it was exciting to have a player of Herrick’s class and experience at Lloyd Park.
“He’ll be pretty handy for us,” he said.
“Imagine him and Travvy (Campbell) as an opening bowling combination.”
Rees said Langwarrin would help Herrick with his coaching aspirations.
“He’s got a junior academy and we’ve got the biggest junior base so we will try and help him get some kids through his cricket academy,” he said.