Fiery Albany fast bowler Bryce Jackson named as WACA rookie ahead of 2021-22 season

Albany fast bowler Bryce Jackson was lost for words when he received a call to say he was being offered a rookie contract with the Western Australian Cricket Association. Jackson is one of four rookies in the 26-man WACA men’s State squad announced on Saturday, bolstered by a host of current and former national stars. He began playing cricket locally with Collingwood Park and then progressed to the junior ranks with Melville, representing WA at under-19 level before making his first-grade debut in 2017-18. Jackson has battled ongoing stress fractures in his back and a shoulder injury last season limited him to just two first-grade matches. The last Albany cricketer to play Shield cricket for WA was Colin Penter in the 1970s. The 21-year-old said he struggled to believe the news was true when WACA talent development manager David Fitzgerald called him after a trip home to Albany on the Anzac Day long weekend. “They kind of jokingly said it and I didn’t take it seriously at first then when they said, ‘we are offering you a rookie contract’ I was just lost for words after that and I couldn’t speak or say anything,” Jackson said. “I was in complete disbelief especially after the season I have had and the luck I have had the past couple of years. “I haven’t put performances on the board so I was just shocked that I was in the picture and able to receive a contract and when I was telling the parents I was literally in tears. “I was very shocked to receive one but also very grateful for them to show faith in me that they believe in me.” Jackson was thrilled at the thought of becoming teammates with the likes of rising Australian star Cameron Green, one-day spinner Ashton Agar and fast bowler Jhye Richardson while the WA squad also contains Shaun and Mitch Marsh, Josh Philippe and Marcus Stoinis. As a young teenager Jackson and his family drove to Perth every weekend over three summers to play for Melville before he moved up permanently to further his cricket dream. “It’s always been my dream, obviously this is the first stepping stone but it’s always been a dream to get paid for what you love,” he said. “You work your whole life to get to where you are and basically I have got to the point where it’s a good stepping stone to go higher and it’s just one more step to my end goal. “It’s a huge honour, not a lot of people will get this opportunity, I want to grab it with both hands and see how far I can take it. “I want to be a role model for the younger kids coming through the country system and show them you can get there, it’s just a matter of putting in the hard work and doing all the right things. “This year I just want to prove my worth and show everyone they have made the right decision ... get the body fit as possible and push for selection if possible, that might be a bit optimistic, but push my name for selection in any case.” Jackson said he had already received a call from head coach Adam Voges to congratulate him.

Fiery Albany fast bowler Bryce Jackson named as WACA rookie ahead of 2021-22 season

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