James Seymour backs up Sheffield Shield debut with first Marsh Cup game

Essendon star James Seymour backed up his impressive Sheffield Shield debut with a maiden Marsh Cup one-day appearance in Victoria’s win over South Australia.

James Seymour raises the bat for his debut half-century. Picture: Darrian Traynor

After making his long-awaited Sheffield Shield debut, James Seymour has added a maiden Marsh Cup one-day appearance for Victoria.

The Essendon star scored runs for fun this Premier Cricket season and was finally rewarded by state selectors last week.

An opener by trade, Seymour walked to the crease at No.6 and made a dashing 60 to help the Vics claim first innings points.

He was again listed at No.6 in the one-day clash against the Redbacks but wasn’t afforded much opportunity as skipper Peter Handscomb and Jon Merlo put together a 205-run stand.

Seymour faced eight balls and scored an unbeaten nine as Victoria posted 7-333 before wrapping up a 21-run win at the Junction Oval.

Two #OneDayCup debutants this morning 🙌

Congratulations to Sam Elliot and James Seymour 👏 #vicsdoitbetterpic.twitter.com/qai5eW1EkJ

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) April 7, 2021

After his Shield debut, Seymour reflected on his journey to state cricket.

The Premier Cricket Ryder Medal favourite was finally rewarded with a cap in the final match of the season after an avalanche of runs for the Bombers.

In typical fashion, Seymour didn’t let the opportunity go to waste, getting off the mark with a six before making 60, as the game ended in a draw.

While thrilled to have broken into the state squad, Seymour was disappointed he didn’t go on and reach triple figures.

“Absolutely, it’s something I’ve worked pretty hard for a long period of time, to wear a Victorian cap,” he said.

James Seymour raises his bat after scoring a debut half-century. Picture: Darrian Traynor

James Seymour in action for Victoria. Picture: Darrian Traynor

“Obviously, not the result we would have liked – playing in a draw – but a good experience.

“I felt pretty comfortable out there but the wicket was pretty flat.

“I was pretty disappointed actually, I was hoping to get through to stumps (on Day 2) and come back in the morning.

“It was good that Harps made a hundred but I was disappointed to get out for sure, you get a start like that when you’ve waited so long for a debut I was disappointed I didn’t kick on.”

Seymour’s half-century was Victoria’s second highest score behind Sam Harper’s maiden Sheffield Shield ton.

He hopes this isn’t the last taste of Shield cricket.

“We’ll see what happens, there’s obviously a few guys away from the Vic squad at the moment, Pucovski’s injured and Finch and Maxwell are away,” he said.

“Hopefully I’ve shown something that the selectors and coaches want to give me another go next season.”

While Essendon failed to make finals, Seymour finished as Premier Cricket’s second leading run-scorer with 822 runs at an average of 91.33 – his fourth straight season with more than 700 runs.

Enjoy the highlights of James Seymour's first #SheffieldShield innings. pic.twitter.com/G4m4v6hRqt

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) April 4, 2021

He’s among the favourites to win a second straight Ryder Medal after tying with Ringwood’s David King last season.

Seymour also scored a match-winning 110 not out for a Premier Cricket XI against the Victorian squad in a Marsh Cup warm-up, which secured a late-season Big Bash League call-up.

Combined with a glut of runs in the Darwin District competition and stint with Randwick-Petersham in Sydney Grade Cricket, Seymour has knocked up 1874 runs since June last year with seven centuries.

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After a hectic 12 months the run-machine is now looking forward to a break.

“Disappointing we didn’t make finals at Essendon but personally I had a good season, so happy with that,” he said.

“Might have a bit of a rest, it’s 10 seasons in a row I’ve played over the winter.

“I might go to Darwin for the Strike League but I’m not too sure yet, we’ll see what happens over the next couple of months.”