VIC SQUAD RATES COUNTRY MATES
TWO of Geelong’s brightest cricket prospects have been rewarded with state rookie deals for 2020-21.
Tom Jackson and Brody Couch have both been named as part of Victoria’s 28-player Sheffield Shield squad for next season.
Their selections continue the pair’s journey from junior cricket in Warrnambool to the domestic scene.
“You don’t really hear of two guys from the country from the same place to both sign a cricket deal together,” Jackson said.
Both were picked to make their senior debuts at the age of 13 in the in the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association — Jackson for Woodford and Couch for Nirranda.
The duo represented Western Waves in the pathway competition and were selected for Vic Country in the under-17 and under-19 national championships.
They have also had a taste of Victorian second XI cricket.
Couch said he was stoked to receive the deal alongside his good mate.
“It’s pretty big, not only for Warrnambool, but for the Western Waves region as well to have Tommy and myself make it through together,” Couch said.
Jackson, 19, is one of the most exciting young batsman in Premier Cricket.
He has five centuries to his name from 22 First XI matches, including a 122 in the 2018-19 grand final against
Carlton, and has drawn comparisons to Aaron Finch.
Former Geelong coach Tim Ludeman declared Jackson a “future star” when he belted an unbeaten 119 from 114 balls against Frankston Peninsula in January.
“After last year’s three hundreds in a season for an 18year-old — and one of those being in the grade cricket Premier final — that’s pretty impressive to start with,” Ludeman said.
“To go on this year and back it up with another two hundreds, I think heads are starting to turn and take notice — and if they aren’t they definitely should be. He’s ticking more boxes than most other players of his age and I think it’s time people started looking at Tommy Jackson because he is a future star.”
Couch, 20, has capabilities as an all-rounder but has developed into a promising quick. He took 23 wickets last season, including a haul of 5-30 against minor premiers Melbourne University.
Couch said it was fitting the two received rookie deals together. “We’ve been together for a lot of our junior career and obviously up through the Geelong stuff now as well,” he said. “It’s really good to have a great mate by my side.”
Jackson described former Woodford coach John Houston as one of his biggest influences, and Couch said exGeelong mentor Andre Borovec had played a significant part in his early development at the Cats.
Cricket Victoria will release the 2020-21 squad this morning.