Aussie slogger Nick Appleton impressed on his first outing for Shepherds Bush Cricket Club in a warm-up game between 1st and 2nd XI teams at the weekend, hitting 123 runs – including seven 6s.
Nick, 25, arrived in the UK three days earlier after taking six months' unpaid leave from his job in the Australian mining sector, but showed no signs of jetlag at the Bush's ground in Bromyard Avenue, Acton.
On a perfect afternoon for cricket, the 2nds, captained by a promoted Jack Gillett – who usually skippers the 3rds, won the toss and opted to field.
Impressive debut
But the 1sts (in truth there was a mix from Bush's various teams in this friendly opener) ratcheted up a score of 294, with the 2nds only managing 199 in reply.
Openers Idris Otto-Mian (hero of last year's cup run) and Sid Stocking scored 28 and 13 respectively, with search parties dispatched to scour the undergrowth beyond the fence for the ball after Idris walloped two mighty 6s.
Then Appleton took to the crease as Bush's overseas player this season. He has a lot to live up to. Last year Bush enjoyed the services of Mitch Crayn from Northern District CC in Sydney. "I know Mitch, and I was told I'd have the time of my life in Shepherds Bush," said Nick, a left-hander who is also be a useful left-arm orthodox bowler.
Scoring 123 off 102 balls, Nick proved his worth. Wicketkeeper Himanshu Vaid scoring 48 alongside him, including five boundaries and a six, before being out LBW to James Kidson's bowling.
The 2nds had a setback when opener Roshan Patel was out second ball to Will Field, but Marcus Howard came in to steady the ship with a solid 46 before being run out by Stocking.
Kidson scored 40 not out to leave the 2nds just short of 200.
Pick of the bowlers for the 2nds were Oliver Fitt and Theo Payne with a brace each. For the 1sts, Field claimed two wickets for 17 in his seven overs.
Groundsman Graham Boxall has done well to get the Shepherds Bush CC pitch in good condition for the season. "We could still do with a bit of rain," he said (though not, obviously, on matchdays). "We put down new seed in September, but it got washed out."
A great summer ahead
There's an enjoyable summer of cricket ahead for spectators at Shepherds Bush; a friendly atmosphere, a well-stocked pavilion bar, large car park and matches most weekends at Bromyard Avenue, W3 7BP.
Catch the 1st XI at home against Guildford CC at noon on Saturday 3 May, with the club's women playing a club friendly the following day at 1.30pm.
Then on 11 May there's a softball festival (2pm start) with eight teams competing.
Full info on the Shepherds Bush Cricket Club website.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
