Jacob earns premier grade cricket stripes

WHEN Jacob Thorne got the call-up, he knew he had earnt it.Thorne had been waiting in the wings at Geelong for another chance to play in the Melbourne Premier Cricket firsts for almost two seasons.The 20-year-old former East Ballarat all-rounder, has notched up two one-day games for the Cats' firsts this season and has relished the challenge.Thorne made his premier firsts debut at the end of the 2006-2007 season, but has spent most of the past three summers in the club's Victorian Cricket Association seconds."It's pretty hard to break into the firsts, and I probably took it a bit for granted the first time," he said."I've worked hard, trained harder and earnt my spot more this time."Moving up to firsts is the biggest step between grades."It's a lot more full-on and professional."Keeping a spot will prove tougher, with quality players and veterans pushing for selection.Thorne has been named in the seconds for today's match against Ringwood, but hopes his efforts at the top level will anchor a place in upcoming two-day and Twenty20 matches this season.To strengthen his case, Thorne has been working to establish himself as a solid all-rounder at Geelong.He was rewarded with experience in the firsts, batting at six, bowling a few overs and fielding in key positions."I'm trying to be adaptable. The more things you do the more chance there is to be picked in the side and play in different formats of the game," Thorne said."I have been used in different roles - a middle-order batsman, opening the bowling - which is a big plus as opposed to just being an opening batsman or a specialist bowler."Thorne had his first taste of the game as an East Ballarat junior.He worked his way through the ranks at Ballarat High School and the East Ballarat seniors.Recruiting talks with the Geelong Cricket Club began when he was about 16.He has also spent a season playing English county cricket with Messingham Cricket Club in the Lincolnshire league, and is planning a return trip for another spell next year.A Melbourne-based premier cricket club could be more practical for Thorne in the Australian summer to fit in with his commerce studies at Deakin University's Burwood campus.But the progressive culture and high-class facilities at Kardinia Park keep Thorne returning to Geelong each summer.He enjoyed the intense training, which required extra individual gym, running and recovery sessions expected of each player.Cricket was Thorne's top priority, and he said it was all worth it for another taste of premier grade cricket.