Premier Cricket: Geelong emerging talent Lachie Field hits second consecutive ton, reflects on improvement

This emerging talent has come from the clouds with two tons in as many innings to start the season. He reflects on what’s changed and the help from his Premier Cricket partner.

Lachie Field is on fire to start the season. Picture: Carey Neate

Lachie Field played just three games in Premier Cricket last season.

In this campaign. the exciting talent has two centuries in as many digs, announcing himself as a force to be reckoned.

After leading Geelong to victory last week with a score of 105, the 23-year-old had another absolute field day, finishing with the same total against Fitzroy Doncaster – unbeaten this time.

A summer over in England with Falkland in the Thames Valley league – along with his partner Meika King, who plays first grade for Geelong’s women’s side – has paid dividends.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing over there either, overcoming a run of lower scores before building up his run tallies and confidence.

But did he expect this blistering start to the Premier Cricket season?

Lachie Field raises the bat for his 100 against Fitzroy Doncaster. Picture: Carey Neate

“Not at all really, I suppose you’re wanting to do it, but it’s been great. A win last week and to set up the first week of this game has been nice.

“It hasn’t come out of nowhere, but finally having that belief to get it done at that level.

“The back-end of last year I played a few games in the ones and started getting that belief just by spending a bit of time in the middle and realising I could do it and heading to the UK was really important and just batting in games all the time instead of training indoors for a whole winter.

“You don’t have to reset anything, you are just still going from the UK season. You are not guessing, you are not trying to figure it out on the spot. It is rinse and repeat a little bit I guess.”

When you go over there you don’t have your usual coaches and your usual teammates or family over there, so when you are out in the middle and if something’s not going right you’ve got to figure it out for yourself. It is such a good learning experience.”

Geelong lost 4-14 after a 125-run opening partnership between playing coach Eamonn Vines (58) and Ryan Aikman (62) and it was Field and fellow centurion Josh McDonald who heaped the pressure back on Fitzroy Doncaster by setting a monster total of 366.

The pair scored 192 runs for the fifth wicket and it was McDonald who brought up his hundred first, eventually being dismissed for 104 from 130 balls.

In the last over the day it was Field’s turn, and initial devastation became elation when the in-form batter had picked out the man on the fence.

Josh McDonald and Lachie Field come together after McDonald's 100 against Fitzroy Doncaster. Picture: Carey Neate

“I was on 95 and they had nine blokes on the boundary, so I had to try and figure my way out of that one,” Field said.

“It was actually caught on the boundary but he was over the rope by about a metre, so the heart was in the mouth for a little bit.

“It was a bit of relief and a lot of satisfaction and I was pretty happy with backing it up and along with Josh McDonald, putting the boys in a good position for next week.”

The Dunkeld product is keeping a level head with what more form like this could mean in the future.

“For me I am just wanting to do the best I can and get the best out of my ability while I am still fit and able,” Field said.

“If there is anything that comes from it that’s great, but if there’s not then I just want to make sure I am contributing and helping the club and the team to as much success as possible really.”

Field feels King, a pace bowler who crossed from Prahran at the start of last season, has helped his cricket – and vice versa.

Geelong’s Premier Cricket power couple don’t go for dates at the nets – aside from a few sessions in the UK – but it has been off the field where there has been a more marked impact.

“It has been great being able to be at the same club and enjoy each other’s successes and be there when things aren’t going so well, which is quite important,” Field said.

“Both having a good understanding of cricket, you know how many highs and lows there are, which is always good to keep you level and make sure you’re staying up when things aren’t as good and keeping a level when you think you’re on top of the world.”

Originally published as Premier Cricket: Geelong emerging talent Lachie Field hits second consecutive ton, reflects on improvement