Essendon names two Premier Cricket debutants, including a famous name

The O’Donnell name is famous at Essendon and young gun James, son of Simon, will make his Premier Cricket debut alongside brother Tom.

Tom and James O'Donnell will play together for Essendon.

Essendon will debut a famous name on Saturday with young gun James O’Donnell earning his first Premier Cricket cap.

The 20-year-old will debut alongside brother and Bombers vice-captain Tom against Geelong on Saturday should the weather allow.

Tom and James are the sons of Simon O’Donnell.

O’Donnell senior played 50 games for the Bombers scoring 891 runs and taking 83 wickets between 1980 and 1990, while Tom is currently on 43 matches and has 69 scalps.

One of the brightest prospects at Windy Hill, the youngest O’Donnell scored 251 runs at 62.75 (nine not outs) and took 20 wickets at 28.20 in his first full season with Essendon, playing in the Second XI.

Tom and James O'Donnell will play together for Essendon.

The beanpole allrounder will bat in the middle order and join his brother as a key part of the Bombers’ pace attack.

And he won’t be the only debutant on Saturday with Nathan Shoesmith set to open the batting alongside captain James Seymour.

Essendon coach Ash Cavigan said it was exciting time for the whole club.

“It’s really exciting for the club and the (O’Donnell) family,” Cavigan said.

“James is a great young prospect, good skills, ripping young guy with a great character.

“Nathan Shoesmith will debut as our wicketkeeper and he’ll also open the batting.

“We’ll get him in and give him lots of responsibility but he’s another with great character, his work ethic is off the charts.”

Shoesmith was Essendon’s fourth highest run-scorer last season across the grades, piling up 451 runs at 32.21 in 16 Second XI matches, he also gloved 16 catches behind the stumps.

The pair are part of Essendon’s youth movement after the departures of stalwarts Aaron Ayre and Matt Doric as well as Connor Rutland and Donovan Toohey over the winter.

After missing the finals last season, Cavigan said the club was now looking to build the next core group.

James Seymour in action for Essendon. Picture: Hamish Blair

Cam McClure in action for Essendon. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Rather than go out and recruit at the top end or get professional players from overseas we took the decision to look long-term,” he said.

“It’s time to get a group we can bring through together and see if we can get them into a position to hopefully finish in the top four and ultimately winning one.

“We know what that means, we’re going to have great moments from these young guys and we’re going to have moments where we’ll have to support them and persevere.

The Bombers got a huge boost ahead of the trip to Geelong when Seymour and young paceman Cam McClure were released by Cricket Victoria.

Seymour missed selection in the Vic’s first one-day match of the season despite a maiden Sheffield Shield century in the Round 2 win over NSW.

2021-22: GAME ON! PREMIER CRICKET SEASON PREVIEW

LEADER: GET YOUR PREMIER CRICKET NEWS HERE

PREVIEW: FIGHT ON FOR FOOTSCRAY’S NEW BALL

McClure claimed 19 wickets last season and will be expected to step into Doric’s shoes with the new ball.

“We could be very similar to last season, it will depend on how much we see Jim Seymour and Cam McClure,” Cavigan said.

“As far as win-loss goes, who knows, for us it’s more about establishing a style of cricket.

“As long as our guys are doing that we’re confident we’re heading in the right direction.”