Geelong heads into Premier Cricket Christmas break in form

It’s tough trying to break into the firsts as a wicketkeeper but this Geelong youngster has done everything right so far.

Geelong wicketkeeper Ryan Aikman impressed on debut. Picture: Mark Wilson

Debutant wicketkeeper Ryan Aikman has been described as a “huge prospect” for Geelong after he “kept beautifully” on Premier Cricket first XI debut.

With Liam Blackford playing in the under-19 national championships on the weekend, Aikman took the gloves against Kingston Hawthorn on Saturday, snaring two catches and assisting a run out but wasn’t needed with the bat as the Cats crushed the Hawks.

Aikman was clean with the gloves. Picture: Mark Wilson

Aikman has long been seen as a rising star, after he took out the Premier Cricket seconds player of the season last summer when he belted 511 runs at 42.6 while also taking 20 catches and completing nine stumpings.

But the keeping spot in Geelong’s first XI had previously eluded him as Blackford and skipper Josh McDonald took the gloves.

The Ballarat product had compiled three half-centuries this season opening the batting in the seconds to keep knocking on the door for promotion and his clean hands on debut impressed McDonald.

“He is a fantastic young prospect and a super gloveman,” McDonald said.

“He has been playing really well in the twos and last season won the best player in the twos for the whole comp. He got his chance (on Saturday) and kept beautifully.”

Liam Blackford had previously worn the gloves. Picture: Mike Dugdale

Having occupied the keeping position, McDonald sympathised with Aikman’s battle to break into the firsts but the skipper said he had no doubt the young gloveman would continue to improve.

“I think me knowing better than anyone as a keeper, it is a hard spot to get in and when you have a guy like Blacky going in and out (to higher duties), it is a hard spot being a twos keeper and pushing to get into the ones because you only have one spot,” McDonald said.

“But he is going to be a huge prospect for the club and there are bright things ahead for sure.”

‘Faultless’ Geelong quicks set up bonus point win

A “faultless” and “extraordinary” showing from Geelong’s pace trio has given Geelong a much-needed boost after sweeping aside Kingston Hawthorn and picking up a bonus point on Saturday.

The Cats set out to push for the bonus all day, winning the toss and sending the Hawks in, with a plan to keep them to a score under 200.

Dom McGlinchey unleashes. Picture: Mark Wilson

Brody Couch winds up. Picture: Mark Wilson

Quicks Brody Couch (1-30), Dom McGlinchey (3-34) and Josh Garner (2-21) executed that plan to perfection, limiting Kingston Hawthorn to 9-179.

Thanks to Josh McDonald (62) and Meyrick Buchanan (71), the Cats eased home with more than 16 overs to spare to leap up the table to 14th before the Premier Cricket Christmas break.

“The bowlers were clinical to be honest, our three quicks were extraordinary and it was a faultless performance,” skipper McDonald said.

“I think we would have beaten anybody.”

Josh Garner is all concentration. Picture: Mark Wilson

McDonald more than doubled his season aggregate by posting a half-century, a score he felt was coming all summer.

“I thought I wasn’t far off, I had been hitting the ball well but it hadn’t really clicked,” he said.

“To bat with (Buchanan), he has been in amazing form. He copped a pretty stiff decision to get out (LBW), he was first class and has been all year.

“We needed that (win) to show we are a good team. We probably have arguably one of the better teams in the comp on paper so to string it together was what we needed and we look forward to 2023.”

Originally published as Geelong heads into Premier Cricket Christmas break in form