By Russell Bennett
UPPER Beaconsfield young gun Max Marinic will have to wait a few days to get his hands on his best Christmas present this year.
It’s one that he’s worked tirelessly towards, and the one that will give him the greatest sense of accomplishment.
It’s his Victorian state cricket cap, and Max will receive it on day three of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the 12-year-old son of Beaconsfield Cricket Club icon and local legend Glenn Marinic.
But Max is his own player, set on his own path, and his old man says he’s leaps and bounds ahead of where he was at the same age.
Though he’s only recently turned 12, Max has an incredible mature head on his young shoulders.
The Haileybury college student has made quite the name for himself on turf wickets in the school system, at clubland with the Beaconsfield juniors, at the Sharks, and now at state level.
The batsman made it through to School Sports Victoria 12-years-and-under boys side that will head to Canberra for the nationals in January next year.
But to get that far, he had to survive a series of list culls.
Around 500 youngsters tried out in the first place, and the last stage of the selection process was in the nets of the hallowed MCG.
“Everyone in the side is from a different location, which is good because it bonds everyone together,” Max said with a beaming smile.
He’s continually working on his calling and running between the wickets, and that will remain a focus as he gels with an entirely new set of team mates.
But Max is no stranger to hard work. In actual fact, the two go hand-in-hand.
He’s been playing club cricket for four years, but has been honing his craft with his dad since he was three.
Max’s choice of favourite cricketers gives even more insight into his temperament and shows that trademark Marinic grit hasn’t fallen far from the tree.
“I like Ricky Ponting – I like his intent – and also Steve Waugh as well, just because he’s such a tough cricketer,” he said.
Max is most proud of his ability to concentrate at the wicket for long periods, not just the array of shots in his arsenal.
He’s constantly working on his technique – for hours on end, often until late into the night – and it’s his pull-shot that he’s really trying to refine.
“A lot of kids are gifted, but he’s worked really hard at it – he’s put in a lot of hours in the nets and on game days,” Glenn said of Max.
“When you set a goal for yourself and it takes hard work and time but you achieve it, that’s just so satisfying.
“He said to us before Christmas last year that he’d really like to get into the state side. He set his goal and he achieved it. We’re just so proud of him.”
And as for Glenn seeing his own likeness in Max’s game?
“He’s much more technically correct than I was but the main similarity is just that desire – the want to be competitive, and score runs,” he said.
“His actual batting – he’s well and truly ahead of where I was.”
