Liam Blackford doesn’t have to look far to know how short a professional cricket career can be. And the young gun is desperate to make the most of his Victorian contract.
The left-handed rising star ticked off the biggest dream of his sporting life last week when he officially became a professional cricketer by landing a Victorian rookie contract.
As the week ended, he went through some of the last hours he will do in some time with his father Steve’s kitchen building business, before he swaps the tools for the pads full-time.
Liam Blackford at the crease.
After a series of impressive performances with the state’s second XI last summer and a brilliant century against England’s under-19 side, it would appear the only way is up for the North Geelong and Newtown & Chilwell product.
But Blackford knows the work is only just beginning.
While he was handed a deal, Geelong teammates Brody Couch and Tom O’Connell were left off the list after holding a rookie contract for two seasons.
Former Cats batter Tom Jackson also had a contract in recent years and was let go, with the hard hitter now plying his trade in South Australia.
Tom O’Connell lost his Victorian contract. Picture: Mark Wilson
Blackford tends not to look at the bigger picture as much as possible, so he can focus on making runs now, but he knows a state deal doesn’t mean he will be in a job forever.
“Definitely there are some things that have opened my eyes and you know you can’t get comfortable and you always try to push yourself but I also try to not really think about it too much,” he said.
“I try not to stress about my position. It is one way to put more pressure on myself that you don’t need. At the end of the day, you are playing the game you love and that’s how I try and go about it.”
Blackford won’t have to wait long to get stuck into the hard work, with the Vics to kick off pre-season in proper in coming weeks.
Blackford is hoping to make the most out of his keeping. Picture: Mark Wilson
Some players were always deep into action last week, with Scott Boland knocking out poles at training at the Junction Oval.
Blackford’s sweet timing off the bat has seen him pegged as a cricketer of note for some time, but it is with the wicketkeeping gloves he is hoping to make his biggest mark.
The 19-year-old identified a spot as gloveman Sam Harper’s No.2 as a chance to impose himself on the state squad.
“Over the next few months I will really try and work on my keeping and try and become the next option after Sam,” he said.
“I think I will also look at playing a bit of baseball in the winter to get my throwing all good and try and get really strong as an option in the field and improve my game in any way possible.”