New Casey-South Melbourne signing Jayde Herrick is hoping to improve the Swans’ fortunes and break into the Victorian side in the near future.By Marc McGowan
IN AUGUST last year, Berwick’s Jayde Herrick was on the verge of achieving his cricket dreams.
As part of an emerging Victorian players’ squad, the 23-year-old Herrick joined the likes of Adam Crosthwaite, Aiden Blizzard, Rob Quiney and John Hastings in travelling to England to take on several county sides.
That experience led to encouraging early season form for his Victorian Premier Cricket club St Kilda and a call-up to the Victorian second XI side.
Herrick snared two wickets in the first innings, but disaster struck as he steamed in to deliver one of his right-arm fast-medium outswingers in the second dig.
The seemingly routine act resulted in him suffering a four-centimetre tear in his left knee and spending almost two months on the sidelines.
Fully recovered, Herrick returned after Christmas to help the Saints reach the finals and remind Victorian selectors of his all-round ability.
Only weeks after St Kilda’s finals campaign came to a close late last month, he chose to join coach Mark Ridgway in switching camps to Casey-South Melbourne.
The decision ended Herrick’s one-year stint with the Saints following three seasons with Frankston Peninsula.
Former Canberra and Noble Park seamer Ash Perera has also come on board for next season, giving the Swans two key signings in as many weeks.
“They (Casey-South Melbourne) were not a walkover, but you expected to win,” Herrick said.
“One of the main things I’d like to do is turn that around this year and help them be a competitive first XI side.”
Also at the top of Herrick’s priorities will be continuing his personal ascension in the game.
“I’ve got pace and bowl good outswing, but at times I’m a bit wayward,” he said.
“I’m looking for a bit more consistency and, with my batting, you can never really class yourself as perfect – there’s always something to improve on.”
If Herrick, who formerly represented Cranbourne in the Dandenong District Cricket Association, can improve – and stay injury free – he is hoping he can break into Victoria’s powerful line-up in the near future.
“Playing for Victoria is a long-term goal, but I don’t know how long that will take,” he said.
“I thought I was a chance last year, so, with a full pre-season, hopefully I can start in the second XI and it only takes a few games to really get looked at.”
Ridgway is a big fan of Herrick’s talents and feels he is an ideal acquisition for the Swans.
“When Jayde knew I got the job, he was quite keen to come with me and he could actually get totally engrossed in the club and be one of our main strikers with the ball,” Ridgway said.
“He bowls good outswing and all he needs to do is consistently bowl line and length and he’ll take 50 wickets in a season.
“He’s a good lad and will add a lot to the roster. All the guys at Casey-South Melbourne know him and have faced him, and him being a Gippsland boy is perfect.”
Herrick will open the bowling for the Swans with incumbent quick Lukas Hoogenboom and bat in the middle order.
His all-round game will play a critical role in whether Casey-South Melbourne can play finals next season, particularly with Englishman Chris Benham unlikely to return.
“We definitely want to get the club back to its winning ways and get the younger players in the area to stay in the area,” Herrick said.
“I’ll hopefully play my best cricket to help them and help myself to further selection.”
