Jackson Smith is putting his hand up for Victoria selection after a decisive six-wicket performance.

The experienced paceman had a solid Premier Cricket but last season and produced a match-winning performance for Northcote against Ringwood.

Smith’s 6-43 were the best figures of the round and helped set up the Dragons’ four-wicket victory at Bill Lawry Oval.

It came just days after helping Victoria’s Second XI claim a 10-wicket win over Tasmania, and is sure to earn plenty of attention from state selectors.

Coming down from Queensland, Smith captured 21 wickets last season, while also being picked to represent Victoria in the Global Super League in Guyana late last year, and has been training with the state squad.

After taking 3-32 in the second innings against Tasmania, he backed it up with his best figures in Northcote colours and his first Premier Cricket five-fa.

Smith removed three of the Rams’ top-five, including dangerous opener David King for a duck.

Dragons coach Warren Pereara said it was a good reward for his dedication.

“Part of Jacko coming down (from Queensland) … we identified we needed a bowler after Couchy (Brody Couch) going and he came down as a train-on player with the Vics,” Pereara said.

“He had a busy week, he played that second round against Richmond and then during the week he played for the Victoria Second XI against Tasmania.

“His line-and-length, the conditions were good for him, and he just hit a repeatable length, so it was great to see because he works hard and he got the reward.

“All he can do is keep his standards and performances up.

“Victoria has shown that nothing is off the table, so if he continues to take wickets and be consistent he’ll be a chance.

“The fact he’s playing a Second XI game shows they’re thinking about him but he’s a realist and understands where it’s at.”

Smith combined with English import Jacob Thompson, who took 2-60 in his Northcote debut – including the key wicket of Tom Rogers – to dismiss Ringwood for 203.

After a shaky start, captain Jack Lalor and his predecessor Josh Sundberg steadied the ship.

Lalor fell for 84 from 114 deliveries, his highest score of the season.

“Jack, even though he hasn’t made runs in the first two games he looked good and was patient but just got out – it sounds a bit weird,” Pereara said.

“On Saturday it was like he was playing on a different wicket, when he got out the score was 120 and he’d made 84 of them.

“He batted with confidence and flair and what we spoke about after the game, if he’s in that position again – 84 and on top of the game – then he walks off the ground with 150 and he’s good enough a player to do that.”

Sundberg has been in red-hot early season form, sitting fourth on the competition run-scoring charts with 248 at an average of 124.

After a Dylan Walker-inspired collapse, Sundberg (51 not out) and Aaron Crispe (22 not out) would see Northcote home.

“To see Josh and Crispey do what they needed to do, showed their class and experience,” Pereara said.

“The wicket was a bit tricky, there was a fair bit of grass and it had a bit of juice in it for longer than we thought.

“Josh and Crispey both got whacked all over the body but they saw us home.”

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Smith and Thompson will look to continue their bowling form in a two-day clash with Footscray at Merv Hughes Oval.

The Bulldogs have the second and third-leading run-scorers in the competition in Dylan Brasher and Dylan Kight, setting up a fascinating battle.

Northcote also scored a 76-run win in the Second XI as skipper Michael Rogneda exploded with a critical 50 runs at No.9 before delivering 5-20 with the ball.

The Dragons’ Thirds fell two-balls short of a draw, while the Fourth XI claimed a five-wicket win thanks to an unbeaten century from 17-year-old Aarav Laxman (113 not out).

Originally published as Northcote paceman Jackson Smith backs up Second XI selection with match-winning spell