Farzan Chowna discusses his breakout Premier Cricket season for Essendon

Essendon’s Farzan Chowna almost doubled his previous best this season, producing a campaign that saw him finish among Premier Cricket’s best run-scorers.

Farzan Chowna in action for Essendon. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Farzan Chowna announced himself as one of Victorian cricket’s next run-machines with a breakout Premier Cricket season.

The 20-year-old Essendon rising star scored his maiden top-flight century, finishing the campaign with two, as he almost doubled his previous personal best tally.

Chowna scored 672 runs at an average of 56, the fifth most runs in the competition.

Only established guns Blake Thomson, Brett Forsyth, Dylan Brasher and Ash Chandrasinghe had more.

His maiden century, 134 not out, came against Melbourne in a stirring win at The Albert Ground and was followed up with 111 against Melbourne University, as well as four half-centuries.

Essendon batsman Farzan Chowna. Picture: Stuart Milligan

It dwarfs his previous best of 389 runs at 25.93 last season.

A strong pre-season and mentoring from a prolific teammate were key factors in Chowna’s rise.

“Essendon has given me a lot of opportunities and I was happy to repay that,” Chowna said.

“I worked really hard on my game this season and got a lot of confidence batting at No.3 and being allowed to bat time.

“James Seymour has been a really good mentor for me, not many people get to bat with and learn from a player like him every week.

“Fletch (coach Ben Fletcher) has been good as someone’s who’s played a lot of Premier cricket and Guru (Asanka Gurusinha) before him, so I’ve had some good coaches.”

Despite a strong start to the season, Essendon finished 17th this season, losing it’s final eight games.

Led by Chowna, the club is building a young core with the likes of Aiden Salvado, Connor Poulton, Bailey Toseland and Nick McGuane showing glimpses of potential, while Cam McClure is contracted by Victoria.

“It was disappointing to finish 17th in both the First XI and in the club championship,” Chowna said.

“We started the season really well and looked like we could play finals.

“I think we’ve got some good young players but we’ve just got to find consistency in our performances week to week.”

The Bombers will be looking for Chowna to back up his production next year in support of Seymour.

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The young gun is heading to India for an intensive training regimen before heading to the Northern Territory for a Darwin District season with PINT, which he captained last season.

“I’m looking to work on working through the gears and being more aggressive (in India), Chowna said.

“I think I found my rhythm in the two-dayers and scored quickly enough in the T20s but couldn’t find the right level in the one-dayers, getting stuck between.”

Despite Essendon’s struggles, Chowna and Seymour (502 at 35.86) both finished in the top-10 for runs, while McGuane was ranked equal eighth in wickets with 27.