Footscray’s Dylan Brasher was almost the hero for Victoria in his Sheffield Shield debut last week
After piling on the runs at Victorian Premier Cricket and for Victoria’s second XI, Brasher finally earned his chance.
Named in the squad for a one-dayer, Brasher had to wait until a few days later to make his debut for Victoria in the Sheffield against Queensland at the MCG.
Out for just two in the first innings, Brasher top scored with 72 in Victoria’s second innings when runs were hard to come by.
He was the last man out as the Victorians lost by 36 runs.
Speaking after the match, Brasher said there were some mixed feelings.
“Obviously I feel super proud and being out here was awesome, but to be 40 short in the end not ideal,” he said.
“It was pretty surreal to be fair, even walking out on the first day and there was a decent crowd here and a lot of family and friends.
“Probably let the emotion get to me the first day, tough not to.
“Felt pretty calm out there and pretty settled kind of helps making your debut a little bit older at 24 you get to learn a few things, felt like my game in a nice spot
“Nice to get a few, few more would have been nice.”
Brasher said he felt that he was batting better than he ever had after biding his time to get his shot.
He said facing Australian test bowler Michael Neser was some of the toughest bowling he had faced.
He said he felt at home for most of the game.
“After the first day when I forgot to use my bat, not so much,” he said, “It was nice to get a few today [Sunday].
“Once I got out there, I was pretty calm. I’ve got a few good processes in place.
“Hopefully this is only the start.”
Brasher batted at three in the first innings before moving to five in the second innings.
He said adding more flexibility to his game was something that he had worked on
“I think I came into the squad originally, I was pigeon holed as that opener,” he said.
“I thought I didn’t want to be stuck here and miss the boat.
“If there was opportunity somewhere else I would love to have opportunity batting at three, four, five, six,
“I just wanted to play.”
Meanwhile, Footscray is in a good position against Essendon.
The Bulldogs bowled the bombers out for 172.
Liam Mason took four wickets for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs will resume at 0-7.
