Jackson Smith is putting his hand up for Victoria selection after a decisive six-wicket performance.<\/p>\n
The experienced paceman had a solid Premier Cricket<\/a> but last season and produced a match-winning performance for Northcote against Ringwood.<\/p>\n Smith\u2019s 6-43 were the best figures of the round and helped set up the Dragons\u2019 four-wicket victory at Bill Lawry Oval.<\/p>\n It came just days after helping Victoria\u2019s Second XI claim a 10-wicket win over Tasmania, and is sure to earn plenty of attention from state selectors.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Smith removed three of the Rams\u2019 top-five, including dangerous opener David King for a duck.<\/p>\n Dragons coach Warren Pereara said it was a good reward for his dedication.<\/p>\n \u201cPart of Jacko coming down (from Queensland) \u2026 we identified we needed a bowler after Couchy (Brody Couch) going and he came down as a train-on player with the Vics,\u201d Pereara said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHis 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAll he can do is keep his standards and performances up.<\/p>\n \u201cVictoria has shown that nothing is off the table, so if he continues to take wickets and be consistent he\u2019ll be a chance.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact he\u2019s playing a Second XI game shows they\u2019re thinking about him but he\u2019s a realist and understands where it\u2019s at.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith combined with English import Jacob Thompson, who took 2-60 in his Northcote debut \u2013 including the key wicket of Tom Rogers \u2013 to dismiss Ringwood for 203.<\/p>\n After a shaky start, captain Jack Lalor and his predecessor Josh Sundberg steadied the ship.<\/p>\n Lalor fell for 84 from 114 deliveries, his highest score of the season.<\/p>\n \u201cJack, even though he hasn\u2019t made runs in the first two games he looked good and was patient but just got out \u2013 it sounds a bit weird,\u201d Pereara said.<\/p>\n \u201cOn Saturday it was like he was playing on a different wicket, when he got out the score was 120 and he\u2019d made 84 of them.<\/p>\n \u201cHe batted with confidence and flair and what we spoke about after the game, if he\u2019s in that position again \u2013 84 and on top of the game \u2013 then he walks off the ground with 150 and he\u2019s good enough a player to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Sundberg has been in red-hot early season form, sitting fourth on the competition run-scoring charts with 248 at an average of 124.<\/p>\n After a Dylan Walker-inspired collapse, Sundberg (51 not out) and Aaron Crispe (22 not out) would see Northcote home.<\/p>\n \u201cTo see Josh and Crispey do what they needed to do, showed their class and experience,\u201d Pereara said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cJosh and Crispey both got whacked all over the body but they saw us home.\u201d<\/p>\n PREMIER: TEENAGE ATTACK LEADS KANGAROOS TO VICTORY<\/a><\/p>\n LEADER: GET YOUR PREMIER CRICKET NEWS HERE<\/a><\/p>\n