Young Vics quicks Austin Anlezark and Tyler Pearson in line for state rookie contracts

Richmond’s Austin Anlezark, 19, has come into reckoning as a Vics rookie after recovering from back problems and finishing the season strongly.

The right-armer earned attention with a haul of 6-27 off 13 overs for the Victorian Under 19s in a trial match against the NSW Under 19s at the Junction Oval.

Victorian male head of cricket David Hussey watched on as Anlezark generated swing at impressive pace against the visitors.

“Very fast, good control … for a guy who’s come back from a major back injury and played limited cricket, he showed NSW Under 19s and us that he’s a real talent,’’ Hussey told CODE Sports two weeks ago.

“Our bowling coach, Adam Griffith, thinks he’s a new version of Jhye Richardson from WA.’’

Anlezark is from Boisdale-Briagolong Cricket Club in Gippsland and first played for Richmond in 2020-21, in the Dowling Shield and Fourth XI.

Last season, he turned out for the Australian Under 19s in a series against England.

“‘Oz’ is a very exciting young prospect,’’ Richmond captain Sam Mills said yesterday.

“I think it’s rare that you see a kid who can bowl with effortless pace and it all looks so natural.

“He’s been at Richmond for a few years – I think since about 16. He’s from the country, near Sale. There was a bit of a connection through one of our old players and coaches, Ian Simpson, who moved down to Sale – there were four kids who came and joined the club together.”

He said Anlezark had come back from stress fractures and finished the season well.

“It was a slow start to the year for him, but he was able to play really well in the twos and put together some really strong performances, and then got his chance in the ones in the back end of the year,’’ Mills said.

“He missed the semi-final (due to an ankle injury) but played in the twos grand final.”

Mills said of potential state interest: “I’ve heard there is a bit of interest – he’s played in the Australian Under 19s, he played in the Vics’ trial game at the Junction Oval in the back end of the year and took six-fa and bowled really well there. I know he’s definitely on the radar a bit.”

The Vics are also believed to be considering a rookie-listing for Tyler Pearson, a tall right-arm fast bowler from Kingston Hawthorn who also played in the trial game against the NSW Under 19s.

Pearson was called up to play a state seconds match against Queensland late in the season.

Hawks coach Colin Siller said Pearson, from St Brigids St Louis Cricket Club, was an exciting prospect for Victorian cricket.

“He can generate a bit of pace, he’s very accurate, he can make the ball nibble and bounce just off a length, and it can be quite steep bounce,’’ Siller said.

“That’s where they struggle to play him … rather than coming through at stump-height, it’s coming through at glove-height, especially if it’s a nice, hard track with a bit of bounce.

“He can move the ball both ways. And with his height – and now that he’s added a few yards of pace – when he’s running in hard, he’s a handful for any of the top players really.’’

St Kilda left-hander Harry Dixon is also in contention for a rookie contract.

Dixon had a taste of professional cricket this summer, being part of the Melbourne Renegades’ squad.

He also represented Australia in the Under 19 World Cup in South Africa, scoring 50 and 42 in two finals.

Dixon told this masthead after the World Cup that he hoped for a call from Victoria.

“I think a nice long break for me, it’s been a hectic season,” he said.

“It will be nice to have some time off and then hopefully get a contract and start pre-season with the Vics sometime soon.”

Meanwhile, batter Dylan Brasher and spinner Douglas Warren are in line for full Victorian contracts.

Brasher had his best Premier Cricket season, leading Footscray’s top-order with 733 runs at an average of 56.38.

The opener showed his versatility by scoring a matchwinning 98 from No. 6 against Queensland for the Victorian Second XI at Casey Fields.

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Warren shook off some early-season back troubles to spin his way into the Victorian side.

While he took only two wickets across his two Sheffield Shield matches, the left-armer captured 3-69 against Pakistan’s touring side.

Two players have already dropped out of the Victorian squad, with paceman Tom O’Donnell succumbing to injury and leggie Wil Parker returning to football as a Category B rookie with Collingwood.