Another Di Venuto set to dominate the CTPL for Lions

For Jack Di Venuto, picking the University Cricket Club was a family affair in more ways than one.

Jack Di Venuto, right, pictured with his grandfather Enrico Di Venuto, made his first grade debut last month. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

FOR Jack Di Venuto, picking the University Cricket Club was a family affair in more ways than one.

Jack is just the most recent in a long list of Di Venutos to play in the CTPL, being the grandson of Enrico, son of Peter and nephew of Michael.

But it is not only the Di Venuto side that drew Jack to the Lions. Like Enrico — a six-time Lions premiership coach across all formats — his grandfather on his maternal side, Tim Burbury, is also a Uni life member.

When Jack made his first-grade debut just before Christmas, he was presented with a cap not only featuring his own playing number of 340 on the side, but No.2 on the back — the playing number of the late Tim Burbury.

But there is no doubt with his family roots, he would end up a cricketer — eventually.

“I was actually the latest starter to cricket in our family, I didn’t start playing until I was 10-11 years old, but once I started there was no turning back,” Jack, 18, said.

“Everyone in our family plays cricket and I really enjoy it as well.

“It is good to be involved in a family like this, there are lots of people who can help you.

“Uncle Michael is a great batting coach and a great coach all round, and my father always talks to me about the game and how it rolls and how to go about it.”

The son of North Hobart and Kingborough seven-time premiership great Peter, Jack was born in Hobart but grew up in Melbourne after the family relocated. But he has not returned home to follow in his mother Kate’s footsteps and pursue a medical degree at the University of Tasmania.

“I’ve always loved coming back here to Tassie for the holidays — I love the beach envir­onment, I love the weather, and I love the chilled population,” he said.

“It is chilled out, it is awesome and a great place to be.”

He has broken the family mould in some way, being a wicketkeeper and a right-handed bat.

But despite carrying the well-known surname, Di Venuto said it had never been a burden.

“All my life, even in Melbourne, people still knew my uncle was the batting coach of Australia,” Jack said. “But it has never been about that.

“My mates never brought it up and even now I just feel like another bloke playing cricket and starting out there career.

“I don’t think about those things and I don’t think anyone else does either when I go out to play.”

The CTPL resumes after the Christmas-New Year break today with a round of T20 games. University is away to New Town, North Hobart is on the road to Launceston to play the Greater Northern Raiders, Kingborough is at home to Clarence and in a key clash, top side Lindisfarne hosts third-placed South Hobart-Sandy Bay at Anzac Park.