From backyard battles to Bill Lawry Oval, the Lalor cousins are taking over

The Lalor cousins have played more than 100 games across 10 different competitions this summer, it’s fair to say cricket is a way of life for the family.

The Lalor cousins (from left) Dan, Jack, Sam, Archie and Will.

The backyard cricket games have become so intense the parents don’t risk it.

For the Lalor family, cricket is a way of life, and the Lalor name is an institution at Bacchus Marsh Cricket Club.

Cousins Jack, Dan, Will, Sam, Archie, Ava, Eve and Ivy all started at Maddingley Oval and still call the town home.

Parents Steve and Caitlyn and Peter and Andrea have had to keep up more than 100 matches across 10 different competitions at a multitude of ovals this season alone.

Now the boys – brothers Jack, Dan and Archie and brothers Will and Sam – have joined forces at Premier Cricket club Northcote.

Lalor cousins (from left) Archie, Will, Sam, Jack and Dan at Bill Lawry Oval.

Jack and Dan have cemented themselves in the Dragons’ First and Second XI while Will, Sam and Archie are part of the Dowling Shield squad.

They hope to bring the backyard battles to Bill Lawry Oval one day in the future.

“It’s pretty intense, lefties versus righties,” Jack said of the family backyard cricket.

“I’m usually the mediator, try to keep it all under control, but it does get pretty heated, it’s good fun and it’s good quality backyard cricket.

“That’d be the dream (to play together) and there’s been plenty of talk about it at Northcote already.

“It would be half a team of Lalors.

“It’s a bit of a trek (from Bacchus Marsh), we’re probably going to need a minibus when these boys come down (full-time).”

Oldest of the quintet, Jack, is having a breakout season in Premier Cricket.

Jack Lalor in action for Northcote. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Dan Lalor in action for Northcote. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The batting all-rounder has 477 runs at 68 in nine First XI matches this season, equal fifth with teammate Mark Phelan on the competition’s run-scorers charts.

He has three half centuries to his name with a high score of 94 and seven wickets as well as another 50 in the Super Slam.

Dan, who captained Vic Metro at the Under-17 National Championships, has 225 runs and seven wickets across 11 Second XI and Super Slam matches.

Will made his First XI debut with VSDCA club Brunswick this season, splitting his time between the First and Second XI while also playing under-17s for Bacchus Marsh and Dowling Shield.

He scored an impressive 92 not out in Northcote’s win over Carlton and has 683 runs at an average of 52.54 and 13 wickets across all competitions.

The busiest of the five has been Sam, who’s played 32 games so far this summer.

Importantly, he also has family bragging rights with a pair of centuries this season – a 105 for Central Highlanders in the Youth Premier League in December and his maiden senior ton, 105 for Bacchus Marsh in January – which came off just 63 balls.

He also has a 97 not out for Northcote against Richmond, 92 for the Gisborne District Under-17s and 88 for the Highlanders, giving him 1007 runs at 43.78 in 2021-22.

Lalor cousins (from left) Dan, Jack, Sam, Archie and Will.

Last, but certainly not least, is Archie who has played 28 games this season and would have played more if not for an ankle injury suffered in the opening Dowling Shield match.

The young paceman has eight wickets in six senior games at Bacchus Marsh, took two on debut with Northcote’s Fourth XI and another eight in eight Youth Premier League appearances.

That’s 2855 runs and 51 wickets combined.

Sam and Archie also made their senior debuts with Bacchus Marsh together in Round 1, continuing their rise through the ranks side-by-side.

“It was really good to do it together, we’ve played together since we were 10, so it was good to share that,” Sam said.

Steve Lalor, father of Will and Sam, said the backyard cricket had given the boys a good grounding.

“It’s very competitive on short pitches with a variety of grass lengths. I’m sure they’ve done a lot of learning there,” he said.

“(We don’t play), not any more, we used to when they were young but they’re too good for us now.

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“With MyCricket and Frogbox, it’s 100 per cent cricket on Saturday and Sunday and most days of the week actually – we’re looking forward to a break.”

Sam and Archie have already taken home a YPL title as part of the victorious Highlanders squad but all five are still vying for silverware.

Northcote is sitting fourth in the First XI, ninth in the Second XI and second on percentage with one game to go in the Dowling Shield.

Will’s Brunswick sit 11th in the First XI but fifth in the Second XI, while Sam and Archie’s Bacchus Marsh are second in the McIntyre Shield, and all three are part of the Bulls undefeated under-17 team.