For a bloke who’s only 25, Orange City quick Jackson Coote’s done plenty – he’s dominated Orange District Cricket Association for a decade, represented Orange, Mitchell, Western and NSW Country, he’s toured New Zealand and had a stint in Western Suburbs’ top grade side.
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But, he’s also had a string of injuries that forced him into the representative wilderness for a summer or two.
Coote worked himself back to full fitness leading into the 2017-18 summer though, and now he’s earned another chance to don the baggy blue of Western Zone.
The ultra-consistent left-armer was called into Western’s side for this weekend’s Country Cricket NSW Championship Northern Pool campaign, after Bathurst all-rounder Aaron Seymour withdrew.
“Mate, I’m absolutely chuffed,” Coote enthused.
“I think it’s [Seymour’s] ankle. You obviously never wish injury on anyone and he’s been dominating the higher levels for a few summers now, so I’ve got big shoes to fill. But I’m confident I can do the job.
“After coming back from Sydney I had a run of bad luck with injuries and didn’t really contribute at the representative level, so to be back in the mix is a great feeling.
“Last time I represented Western was in 2010-11, so it was a long time ago and honestly I thought I might not get back to this level so this is a real highlight for me, I couldn’t be happier to wear the baggy blue again.”
He admitted he wasn’t expecting the call-up, assuming he was further down the list of potential quicks after not featuring on the representative scene last summer.
He made his comeback in Orange’s thrilling Western Zone Premier League loss to Bathurst a fortnight ago, bowling superbly to take 3-12 from his 10 overs.
“Not playing rep stuff last year I definitely wasn’t thinking I’d be next in line, I’ll be trying to take the opportunity with both hands though,” Coote said.
“I’m really looking forward to being involved in the tough, resilient, no-holds-barred cricket you get at this level again.”
Western kicks off its campaign against North Coastal on Friday, before facing Central North on Saturday and then Newcastle on Sunday.
Selectors have named a bowler-heavy side, not knowing what conditions Western will face in Inverell, but Coote says his side has earned the right to enter the competition with confidence.
“Western’s been the most dominant region in the last four or five years, so I’m confident we can have a big run at it again this year. I’m sure the rest of the side is too,” he said.
“But being in the Northern Pool, it’s obviously a very strong side of the draw with the likes of Newcastle and Central North so it will be tough.”
- WESTERN ZONE: Jordan Moran ©, Jordan Peacock, Mitch Bower, Greg Buckley, Marty Jeffrey, Will Lindsay, Ben Patterson, Henry Railz, Darrel Williams (Dubbo), Matt Stephen, Ryan Peacock (Bathurst), Jackson Coote (Orange)
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
