Footscray’s Mitch Jamieson wasn’t expecting a call up to the Victorian second XI cricket team.
Despite having a breakout season and his coach calling for him to be given an opportunity, it wasn’t something he was expecting.
“It was a moment of shock,” he said. “I felt like I was going OK at premier level, but to get the call for Huss [David Hussey] it was pretty surreal to be honest.
“You think about it and you are wanting an opportunity, but I wasn’t quite sure where they would go with it all.
“I know the first game back a lot of Vic boys were back.
“I thought maybe if I could sneak in the New South Wales game or potentially make runs the opportunity against the AC, that would have ticked a few boxes.
“It’s been really cool.”
In what would be one of his biggest weeks ever, Jamieson was named in the team and showed what he could do.
The Keilor product made 154 in the first innings and backed it up with 38 in the second innings.
Jamieson said he wasn’t expecting that performance.
He said it makes him feel that he belongs at that level.
“That was unexpected to be honest,” he said of the 100. “I didn’t expect to do something like that, it did make it pretty surreal
“I didn’t go in with any expectations, just happy to be there.
“To get a little bit more than I would have hoped for initially it makes you feel like you belong. “You go in with a lot of confidence heading back to the premier season.”
Having opened all season for the Bulldogs, Jamieson returned to number three where he’d spent most of his career for Victoria.
He said opening has been a really good opportunity.
While Jamieson experienced the highs of cricket, he was soon brought back to earth.
Returning to Footscray for its match with Prahran, Jamieson was out for a duck late on day one with the Bulldogs needing more than 400 to win.
“Ninety overs in the field and then go out there and bat for four overs and knick one fifth ball,” he said.
“Cricket always wins.
“It was obviously pretty disappointing, but upon reflection no matter how well you are going, or how well you think you’re going, it’s a new game and you have to start fresh every game.”
Jamieson said it was disappointing to finish the regular season with the bat like that, but had been pleased after building on a decent year the season before.
“All things considered, a really good year,” he said. “I learnt a lot, new role.
“Can’t complain at all
“The year before last missed pretty much the whole year with an ankle injury, bit of disappointment to miss my top age year of 19s World Cup and nationals, bit of shame, but have put together some solid seasons now.
“Fills with a lot of confidence heading into the back of the season.
Jamieson said he would continue to control what was in his hands and try to make some more runs as the Victorian Premier Cricket season hit finals.
“Doing everything I can to make as many runs as possible,”he said.
“We’re on our way to look to go quite deep at Footscray and that is pretty much the key focus.”
