Premier Cricket: Fitzroy Doncaster quick Sam Elliott secures Cricket Victoria rookie deal

Twelve months after flirting with a football career, Fitzroy Doncaster quick Sam Elliott has secured a Cricket Victoria rookie deal.

Sam Elliott is one of the state’s best young quicks. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Twelve months after flirting with a football career, Fitzroy Doncaster quick Sam Elliott has secured a Cricket Victoria rookie deal.

Elliott, 18, was last week named as part of CV’s 31-player squad for 2019-20 after announcing himself as one of Premier Cricket’s brightest prospects over the summer.

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The son of former Test batsman, Matthew, started with the Oakleigh Chargers last season but it was with a red ball from another sport that he starred.

Elliott took 26 wickets, including a haul of 5-58 in Round 12 against Dandenong, and showed his wares as a lower-order batsman with two half-centuries.

“It’s probably one of the best moments or feelings in my life was when I found out,” Elliott said of the moment he was told the news.

“Dad was the first one that I called so sharing that moment with him was pretty special.”

Sam Elliott in full flight. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Back injuries kept Elliott out of cricket for more than two years, briefly turning to football.

“I’ve always loved footy and when the body wasn’t right for cricket, it was appealing to me because I’d always chosen cricket over footy,” he said.

“During that year I got the invite down to Oakleigh and I have a lot of good mates that play down there. Did a full pre-season, played five or six games and it was good fun.

“It was probably the best thing for me to get back out and play some competitive sport.”

Elliott returned to Fitzroy Doncaster during the pre-season and made his First XI debut with brother Zac in Round 1.

He impressed throughout the summer with his ability to mix pace and control, leading to one champion Premier Cricket batsman describing Elliott as “one of the most impressive bowlers” in the competition.

Elliott said he was pleased his body allowed him to show his raw ability during an injury-free campaign.

“That was probably the most exciting thing for me to get through the year unscathed,” he said.

“That was another one of my goals, which I was really happy with. I got a bit sore towards the end but it was exciting to play along with some really good mates at Fitzroy.”