In Pathways cricket, the next rung is a state contract. Many into a few is a tough gig—generally, though, the right candidates make it. Footy has the TAC Cup, the VFL, and the draft. More teams, more spots, more opportunities, but no less challenging. Corporates have the cesspool, middle management, and the wankiness of their own office—thank God it wasn’t for me.
Yesterday, Victoria debuted two recent Pathways players. One I know well—Liam Blackford, a Geelong player. The other I know equally well, but from a distance. Harry Hoekstra is a Leongatha native. I used to have a set of keys to the ‘Gatha, not so now. Haha.
I always maintained Hoekstra should have been skating on the left wing for the Pittsburgh Penguins—tell me that’s not a hockey name.
Hook was different in a refreshing way. He bowls left-arm pacers, swinging the new ball early, then with oodles of effort when the shine wears. A lengthy approach precedes a whirl of arms and body contortions before he steadies to deliver from a perfect position. He gets good players out. He has conviction. And why different? That conviction is genuine, not misrepresented—it’s a country thing, it’s real, coaches love it, and first-class cricket welcomed him with open arms yesterday.
The summary: Hook entered the fray at 7/162—he always maintained his batting was better than we gave him credit for—and was last out at 244, contributing an innings-high 45 from 122 balls: three fours, a maximum, and 99 dots of resolute Leongatha defence. South Australia—Shield champions—had Australian Test quick Brendan Doggett, Nathan McAndrew, Henry Thornton, and their own debutant Noah McFadyen, wheeling away on a Junction wicket that offered plenty to the pacers.
The VIC’s had eight overs to bowl before the close.
Jake Weatherald—recent Australian opener—caught Liam Blackford, bowled Harry Hoekstra. 0. Hook finished with 1-2 from 3 overs. Blacky played nicely for 27 from 67 balls.
Hook. Gloves off. A great start. You’re on the ladder now—keep climbing. More on Blacky soon.
Nick
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