By Nick Creely
JORDAN Wyatt is the kind of cricketer that never shies away from the big moments, and amidst the positivity emanating from Casey-South Melbourne this season in a number of different areas, a match-winning star has emerged from the shadows.
Starting his season in solid touch in the seconds, which included a century against Camberwell Magpies in Round 6, the talented middle-order batsman was recalled to the firsts to play Dandenong, Frankston Peninsula, St Kilda and Footscray Edgewater in a string of Twenty20 matches.
But in those games, Wyatt scored just seven runs, including two ducks.
For many cricketers, that would be deflating and potentially zap all confidence from their game, but Wyatt’s hunger to succeed and love for batting has seen him grow from the experience, and is now emerging one of the most exciting young batsman in a competition that has produced a plethora of champions.
Just before Christmas, Wyatt oversaw his Swans chase down 330 against the Monash Tigers, a side renowned for its bowling talent, as he struck a patient and well-timed 92, just as it looked like they were running out of legs.
To prove this was no fluke, Wyatt then backed it up on Saturday against Melbourne University, striking a fabulous 78 off 77 balls in 38-degree heat, as his Swans won their fourth game in a row and are now charging towards a shock finals appearance.
He is described by his coach Brian Keogh as the ultimate team man, and a player that relishes the hard stuff, and few could disagree with that assessment.
The batting product, hailing from Drouin, has been around the blocks after a stint at Melbourne, Casey-South Melbourne, his home club in Drouin, and now finally back at the Swans, and said that the appetite and desire to win will never diminish.
“I’ve always had the hunger to make runs – I just love it and that’s the best part of this sport,” he told the News.
“There is not much better feeling in this sport when you play an innings that helps get your team over the line – my last two innings have been an awesome feeling.
”It was an awesome feeling to contribute in a winning side – I’m all about the team and how it goes, and obviously individual performances are rewarding, but it’s team first for me- You ask anyone in our team and we are all the same.”
Wyatt also said that he slightly changed his approach after an inconsistent start to the season, and now believes that will hold him in good stead heading into a tough four game block.
“I spoke to BK (Brian Keogh) during the week, and he told me to take about 20 balls until I start really getting aggressive – it wasn’t really working for me in the Twenty20’s before Christmas,” he said.
“I sort of did that on the weekend and it worked again, so I’m giving myself some time before accelerating – With the Twenty20’s I had to try and accelerate quicker, and now looking back I wish I had my time again, one day it comes off in that format and others it doesn’t.”
With the prospect of a finals berth for the young Swans, Wyatt said the excitement is plain to see, but stresses the hard work comes now.
“With the young group that we have got, it’s always positive to get wins on the board and get the season heading in the right direction – It was an amazing win this weekend,” he said.
“We aren’t getting ahead of ourselves, because with a young group it can be a potential downfall, so we are looking just one week at a time, and try to consolidate our position – we want to play a final, that’s why we play the sport – we’re in a good position but a lot of hard work is to come.”
The Swans tackle Fitzroy-Doncaster in a two-dayer at Casey Fields on Saturday from 11am, in what looms as a potentially season defining clash in their finals hopes.
