Tara Murray
After not being selected for three of the last four games of the Sheffield Shield season, representing Australia A was the last thing on Jordan Buckingham’s mind.
With South Australia going with just three fast bowlers, the young Victorian was the man to miss out as the Redbacks having an experienced line up.
He went back to grade cricket and made the team of the year, with his games and stats on the radar of those picking teams above.
Buckingham soon received a surprise call up to the Australia A team to face New Zealand.
“It was awesome,” he said. “To be honest I didn’t expect it.
“Post Christmas I didn’t get picked in three of the four games. I was told a couple of weeks ago that I was reserve, but I didn’t expect to go.
“After the grade semi final, which we lost, I was told that I was being picked and I couldn’t believe it. I was one of the youngest in the team.”
Buckingham joined the likes of Peter Handscomb, Matthew Renshaw and Mitchell Swepson on the plane to New Zealand.
Buckingham wasn’t selected in the first match, but was given his chance in the second game which was ultimately drawn.
It became a dream debut for his country, producing his best bowling figures.
“You don’t walk into a game thinking you will take six wickets every game, let alone in one innings.
“And to be the top six as well. You feel like all the hard work over the time has paid off. “
While Buckingham didn’t get a wicket in the second innings, he walked away proud of what he had been able to do.
“It was a massive learning curve and it indicated a lot of things with my game,” he said. “It was a really good opportunity and hopefully I’ll get another opportunity and hopefully go up one level more.
“Hopefully it will hold me in good stead.”
Buckingham said the opportunity to pick the brains of Scott Prestwidge who has been involved in the Australian women’s program, had been invaluable.
He said not only was he able to pick up some tactics, but also tips on bowling with the duke ball, which he was doing for the first time.
The former Greenvale and Footscray cricketer said the move to South Australia had been the best one of his career.
He said he loved it over there and had recently signed a new contract to stay at the Redbacks. He’s hoping that he will be more of an automatic pick next season.
“Learning the craft from [Jason] Dizzy Gillespie and Ryan Harris, is really good,” he said.
“Dizzy’s record speaks for itself and so does Rhino’s as a fast bowler. I enjoy working with them.”
While he loves South Australia, Buckingham is quick to praise his former Victorian teams and what they did for him as a cricketer.
After a big summer of cricket, Buckingham now plans to have some time off. A trip to England to play county cricket could be on the cards and ruin those plans.
“I could potentially play in England,” he said. “There’s a few things in the works.
“Nothing has been offered, so I’ll put the bat and ball away for a bit and see what happens.
“For a fast bowler, playing with the duke ball in England is really exciting.”
