Damien Wright.By Marc McGowan
DAMIEN Wright’s cricket career was at the crossroads in May.
A variety of injuries ruined Wright’s last three seasons, and Tasmanian cricket officials did not offer him a first-round contract for the then upcoming season.
But Wright’s strong reputation remained, and Victorian coach Greg Shipperd contacted the 187cm fast-medium bowler about a possible move across Bass Strait.
Wright, 33, jumped at the chance and claimed four wickets, including the prized scalp of Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, in his Victorian first-class debut against Queensland this week.
The four-times Australian ‘A’ representative has also joined former Tasmanian Tigers team mate and now Casey-South Melbourne coach Mark Ridgway at Casey Fields.
The stress fractures in Wright’s back, his reconstructed left ankle and the tear in his left pectoral muscle are all in the past, and he feels his body is in its best shape in years.
“The last three seasons for me have been a bit of a hiccup. There have been huge highs and pretty big lows,” he said.
“But I’ve had a really good pre-season and all the medical staff and our fitness bloke, Dave Bailey (at Cricket Victoria), have been first-class.
“I was always going to go wherever Ridgy went and I’m happy he’s gone here because it’s a club that’s rebuilding and I’m at a stage in my career where I get a bit of a kick out of helping the younger blokes.”
One of those highs – and what Wright, who grew up in New South Wales, describes as his career highlight – was playing a pivotal role in Tasmania winning its first four-day title last year.
He claimed eight wickets for the game, also managing knocks of 67 and 47 as the Tigers defeated New South Wales.
That was Wright’s last appearance in Tasmanian colours, after ankle and pectoral injuries sidelined him for the entire 2007-08 summer.
He also played in the Tigers’ second one-day title in 2005 and left Tasmania as its all-time leading one-day wicket-taker.
Wright competed in 86 first-class matches for the Tigers, snaring 271 wickets and making 2689 runs.
“It’s where I played 11 years of first-class cricket and it was hard to leave – like anybody who played in the same team for a long period of time,” he said.
“In saying that, I didn’t leave on bitter terms or anything and I’m still really good friends with the people there.
“But this is where I’m playing cricket now. Those days are gone, and I’m looking to do some really good things for Victoria.”
Wright has worked with many of Casey-South Melbourne’s up-and-coming talents and likes what he sees.
“I’ve had a little bit to do with Jayde Herrick, and he’s really promising and has all the attributes to be a fast bowler,” he said.
“Ash Perera is a tall left-armer who is quite sharp and is developing into a really good bowler; Clive Rose is a really promising spin bowler and I like (wicketkeeper-batsman) Tom Hussey as well.
“Hopefully it will be a big year for Victoria and the mighty Bloods!”
