JUGGLING the first-year of a medicine degree at one of Melbourne’s most prestigious universities with the rigours of Victorian Premier Cricket isn’t a job for the faint-hearted.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But for Dennington export Nick King, it’s a part of everyday life.
The 18-year-old opening batsman is making his mark with the Prahran Cricket Club, building on strong form from last season which crafted an average of 31.2 from 14 games.
King said the club had been “great” in offering support as he settled into the Melbourne way of life.
“They’ve been awesome. Up here, the wickets are different, and the outfields are a lot quicker. Up here as a batsman, the bowling is more consistent too,” he said.
“You have to keep working in terms of trying to score even off the good balls. When you get that one bad ball per over, you have to put it away.
“You really learn to take your opportunities. In the seconds we have Bryce McGain (former Australian Test representative) as captain, he has so much experience and is brilliant with the tactical side of the game.”
The left hand bat, who made the move to Melbourne at the end of last season, has so far averaged 18.7 runs per innings in 2016-17.
He has been joined by fellow south-west exports Liam Brown and Ben Rantall at Prahran, while Sam Younghusband has continued with Carlton.
“It’s been good to have a few people (from home) up here. It does make a little less daunting,” King said.
“They’re all very good players and deserve to be playing. Brownie (Liam Brown) is here but he’s sort of waiting until after exams to play. It definitely helps you relax a bit.”
King’s immediate focus will be helping Prahran’s tilt at the Victorian Premier Cricket club championship, a goal established by the club at the beginning of the year.
Personally, King is eyeing selection in the state’s top representative squad.
“As a unit, we want to be strong across all grades. That (the club championship) is still within reach, even though we’ve had a slow start to the season,” he said.
“More personally, the selection for Victoria Country will be out soon and hopefully I can make the team and try to score runs consistently.
“Hopefully then I can push up for selection in the first grade then.”
King’s improving Prahran side will face off against the Camberwell Magpies this weekend.