Joe Medew-Ewen discusses call-up to South Australia Sheffield Shield squad
From what was meant to be a short stint in SA grade cricket, Victorian spinner Joe Medew-Ewen is on the verge of a Sheffield Shield debut with the Redbacks.
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Joe Medew-Ewen was only planning to play four games in South Australia before returning to a lockdown-free Melbourne.
However, the decision to remain in Adelaide has paid off handsomely with the left-arm spinner now on the verge of a Sheffield Shield debut.
Brilliant form for Port Adelaide earned him a place in the Redbacks’ 12-man squad for Saturday’s clash against NSW on the hallowed Adelaide Oval turf.
It’s been a rapid rise for the Port Fairy junior and Northcote Premier Cricket product.
Medew-Ewen, 23, has snared almost 50 wickets across 20 games for the Magpies and a pair of South Australia Second XI outings, including 6-95 on debut against Tasmania.
The 23-year-old said he wasn’t expecting to step up to the elite level this quickly.
“Definitely not, not this early. I’ve had a pretty good grade year but I didn’t think in my first season I’d be in and around the Shield squad,” he said.
“I played two Second XI games as well, I’ve never played Futures cricket, I’ve played a lot of games which has helped as well.
“I planned to play four games with Port Adelaide, I did my quarantine in Alice Springs to get into SA, and decided to stay on and really pleased I did.
“Around Christmas time (South Australia contacted me), before that first Second XI game in Hobart, from then on I knew I’d made the right call.”
Medew-Ewen is the second leading wicket-taker in South Australian Premier Cricket with 26 scalps, has taken another nine in the league’s One-Day Cup, four in the T20 Cup and 10 for SA’s Second XI.
His blistering form follows an outstanding season with Northcote in Victoria that saw him claim 35 wickets for the Dragons.
If given the chance the rising star would be the second Victorian in as many weeks to debut for South Australia after Peter Hatzoglou stepped out in the Marsh Cup clash against WA.
Medew-Ewen would join Matt Short and Marcus Stoinis as recent Northcote players to reach the Sheffield Shield level should he debut and has received a number of congratulatory texts from his former teammates.
The challenge of facing a powerhouse NSW team that will include international stars David Warner, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Moises Henriques, Nathan Lyon, Kurtis Patterson and Mitch Starc.
“It’s a great opportunity, they’ve got a really strong team and I’m excited by the opportunity to play against some really good players,” Medew-Ewen said.
“It depends on the pitch but my role gets bigger and bigger as the game goes on, day three and four.
“I do love all three formats, definitely love Twenty 20, but as an introduction to the squad I think red ball cricket suits me best – the long format, the longer spells I enjoy that.”
South Australia’s final XI will be confirmed before the toss on Saturday morning.
ANOTHER VICTORIAN SPINNER SET TO DEBUT FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Spin young gun Joe Medew-Ewen’s scintillating form as earned him a Sheffield Shield call-up with South Australia.
The left-armed has been named in the Redbacks’ 12-man squad for the clash against NSW at Adelaide Oval, starting on Saturday.
If named he’ll be the second Victorian spinner to debut for South Australia in as many weeks after Peter Hatzoglou stepped out in the Marsh Cup one-day competition.
Medew-Ewen started the season with South Australian Premier Cricket outfit Port Adelaide due to Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdown and immediately caught the eye of Redbacks selectors.
He starred for Northcote in 2019-20, claiming 33 wickets as the Dragons reached the preliminary final before the season was called off.
Since linking up with the Magpies he’s bagged a staggering 39 scalps, including the second most in Premier Cricket with 26, at an average of 21.79.
The wrist spinner has also impressed for South Australia’s Second XI.
He took 6-95 on debut against Tasmania, including the wicket of former Test batsman Alex Doolan, and 3-36 in the second innings against ACT/NSW Country.
It’s a long way from Port Fairy but Medew-Ewen has taken every step in his stride.
Northcote coach Steve Taylor said there was no harder worker than Medew-Ewen during his time at Bill Lawry Oval.
“It’s an exciting time for Joe, we’re all rapt for him,” Taylor said.
“He’s got a special skill set with his craft and there’s no harder craft in cricket than left-hand wrist spin.
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“I haven’t seen too many work harder since he came down from Port Fairy, he spent a couple of years in the UK, and now he’s reaping the rewards.
“I spoke to him before and just told him ‘you don’t get too many of these opportunities without working hard’ and how proud the entire club is of him.”
If Medew-Ewen is named in South Australia’s final XI he will join former teammate Matt Short as current Northcote players to have played Sheffield Shield.
Former Dragon Marcus Stoinis represented Victoria at Shield level before returning to Western Australia.
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