The only thing better than starting the season with a century is starting with two of them and Geelong Cricket Club’s Lachie Field has done exactly that across the first two rounds of the Victorian Premier Firsts competition.
Field has an average of 210 after just two outings, the young star is on a high and so are his Geelong teammates after starting the season with two commanding victories.
The 24-year-old said it was special to reach the milestone in the first round and help guide his side to a strong total of 278 against Greenvale Kangaroos.
“There was quite a bit of emotion, and relief as it’s been a goal for some time, to help put the boys in a good position, along with Josh Larkin, was a great feeling,” he told Scribe Sports.
Field made 105 off 126 deliveries before he was caught, but not without putting his side in a great position to register a comfortable win and start the 2024/25 season on a high.
But Field said it was the following week that will go down as his most special cricket memory as he produced another century, another 105 to be specific, but this time it was unbeaten.
“To back it up the following week was even more enjoyable I think, as the whole family was there watching,” he said.
“To help get the team out of a tough spot and put a good total on the board alongside Josh McDonald (104), was quite nice.”
The last time that Field reached triple figures for Geelong was more than two years ago in a Premier Seconds match against Northcote. But this isn’t to say Field hasn’t smashed plenty of runs since then.
Last season, Field started in the Seconds but earned a spot in the First XI after hitting four half centuries. He finished the year on a positive note in the Firsts with scores of 57 and 41.
He scored 422 runs for the season at an average of 42.2, with five half centuries and a top score of 79.
Field continues to ride a huge wave of confidence after spending the off-season playing cricket in the UK at Falkland Cricket Club. He and his partner Meika King decided to spend a season in the UK and experience both life and cricket abroad.
Falkland is located about an hour from Edinburgh and the side plays in the Thames Valley Cricket League. Field said the experience of playing cricket in the England has helped him come back with confidence, sparking his form with Geelong.
“The season in the UK was very enjoyable, meeting a lot of fantastic people and players … Meika and I were so lucky to go to such a great club,” he said.
“(It) has been really beneficial for me as I learnt to play in different conditions and get time in the middle … you have to overcome challenges and are confronted with different scenarios in games.”
Field was a key attribute for the club with both bat and ball, helping lead Falkland to premiership glory. He scored 1021 runs for the season at an average of 48.62 and took 38 wickets including multiple five-wicket hauls, one century and nine 50s.
Field said it was “rewarding” to finish his season with a premiership but said the real highlight was sharing the entire experience with King (who played in the women’s comp).
“When things aren’t going too well on field, it’s always handy having someone that understands cricket, to make sure you’re staying level-headed,” he said.
“(She) gets the highs and lows that come with such a mental game.”
After playing games across both the Firsts and Seconds last season, the all-rounder said he wanted to make sure he was ready to play in the top side upon returning from overseas.
“I was unsure whether I would start back in the twos or the ones, and to be given that opportunity, I really wanted to make sure I took it with both hands,” he said.
“I would really like to solidify my spot there (in the Firsts), as I love playing for Geelong and would love to be part of future success.”
Field thanked the club for the faith they’d put in him throughout the years and hoped to continue to repay them as the season progressed.
“I’m really looking forward to the rest of the year and have really appreciated the support of the coaches/leaders at Geelong,” he said.
“Eamonn Vines, Jake Brown and captain Josh Larkin have been fantastic this season, making it such a fun and competitive environment for young cricketers to thrive.”
Field has seemingly secured the No.5 spot in Geelong’s First XI but rest assured, the talented top-order batsmen will not stop there as he looks to raise the bat yet again.
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