Aaron Ayre rewarded with Cricket Victoria contract after record-breaking Premier Cricket season

Essendon star Aaron Ayre wasn’t sure he’d ever be back in Victorian colours but after his record-breaking Premier Cricket season earned him a state contract, he’s ready to get stuck in.

Aaron Ayre in action for Essendon. Picture: Hamish Blair

Aaron Ayre wasn’t sure he’d ever be back in Victorian colours.

The Essendon batsman was dropped from the Victorian state squad after the 2016-17 season and appeared long odds to return.

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However, a masterful Premier Cricket campaign that produced a record-breaking 1057 runs forced Victorian selectors hands and Ayre was last week rewarded with a state contract for 2019-20.

“It was probably something I wasn’t sure would ever happen again,” the left-hander said.

“I was lucky enough to have a good season and get rewarded for it.”

Aaron Ayre during his Sheffield Shield debut. Picture: Colleen Petch

Ayre was the second leading run scorer in Premier Cricket this season with 930 runs at an average of 62 in the home-and-away season.

With a fine 94 in the semi-final win over Monash, Ayre became the first batsman in Essendon history to score 1000 runs in a season.

The Bombers star now has his sights set on adding to his two Sheffield Shield appearances but knows he’ll need to take his game to another level.

“It’s always tough, they’ve obviously just won the Shield and been really strong for five or six years, not just last year,” he said.

“It’s a great environment to be in and hopefully I can get stuck in and iron out a few kinks I still have and crack into the team at some stage in the summer.”

Ayre formed a formidable opening partnership with James Seymour at Windy Hill but could be forced to move down the order to break into the Victorian team.

Aaron Ayre in action for Essendon during the Vic Super Slam. Picture: Arj Giese

Australia one-day captain Aaron Finch, Test opener Marcus Harris and incumbent Travis Dean are expected to get first crack while Victoria skipper Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell and young gun Will Pucovski are set in the middle order.

“To play at the next level, you’ve got to be a bit flexible on your preferences and where you slot into the team and whatever role they see me doing I’m happy to do it,” Ayre said.

Reflecting on his historic season, Ayre said he was proud of his achievement but believed he had more runs in him.

“Funnily enough, I feel like I left a few (runs) out there,” he said.

“I got a fair few starts and could have kicked on a bit more. I think there’s still room for improvement.

“Looking back on it, it’s a bit surreal when you think about how little it’s been done over the many years Premier Cricket has been played.”