Trent Lawford has completed a meteoric rise from suburban star to first-class cricketer.
Only 12 months ago, the 25-year-old was playing for Wyndhamvale in the Williamstown and District Cricket Association’s A turf division.
The all-rounder was plucked from obscurity by Premier Cricket club North Melbourne last November and was an instant success.
Lawford’s sizzling summer did not go unnoticed.
He picked up a contract with the Adelaide Strikers for the coming season’s Twenty20 Big Bash League.
While not contracted with South Australia, the medium-pacer and middle-to-lower order batsmen decided to base himself in the City of Churches in the lead-up to the BBL.
It’s a move that has reaped great rewards.
South Australia turned to Lawford for its Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the WACA Ground in Perth last week, handing the western suburbs product a dream first-class debut.
Lawford made the most of his opportunity, too, playing a leading role in a memorable away win.
He took 5-77 for the match, including 2-36 in the first innings and 3-41 in the second.
With the bat, Lawford made 19 and 10 in his two innings at this level.
