Paceman’s long run-up from ‘Div 3’ for Premier debut
KIEREN Helwig will become the first Alexander Thomson junior to graduate to Geelong’s ones when he makes his First XI debut on Saturday.
Helwig said his rise from the GCA3 club to become the Cats’ sixth debutant this season “feels like a win for Div 3”.
The 20-year-old fast bowler will take the new ball alongside Josh Garner as part of a youthful bowling line-up, which will be without spearhead Dom McGlinchey, who is recovering from a back injury.
Garner and Helwig played the majority of last season in the thirds but the pair will lead the attack against Richmond at Geelong Cricket Ground in the Round 14 fixture.
Helwig said it was “a pretty big honour” to make the top grade in Premier Cricket out of Alexander Thomson.
“Coming up through playing Div 3 cricket in the GCA with AT . . . all they’re focused on is just getting players to Geelong,” he said.
“They take pride on getting players up and it just feels good to come through the ranks of AT and now to prove my worth through the ranks of Geelong.
“Having to fight for that spot in the ones just shows the talent we’ve got down at Geelong.
“It feels like a win for Div 3.”
Helwig started this season in the thirds before moving into the seconds, where he has taken 17 wickets in 10 games, including a return of 5-24 in Round 6.
Geelong director of cricket Travis Agg described him as a “bit of a bolter” to replace McGlinchey.
“(He) has bowled exceptionally well in recent weeks for us in the twos,” Agg said. “He’s got good pace, does a little bit with it and he bowls well at Geelong.”
Alexander Thomson president Denis Syddall said Helwig’s debut was “as good as it gets” for the club.
“To see young Kieren . . . go straight from AT to Geelong, it’s a sensational effort,” Syddall said. “We all strive as a team and club for premierships but for individual honours, it’s as good as it gets. As a club, we couldn’t be prouder.”