THREE balls into the Upper Loddon Cricket Association’s new season and Kingower captain Jayden Leach made a powerful statement of intent.
Without a run on the board, Leach took the wicket of Arnold skipper Henry McCullough, spearheading a strong team bowling performance that saw the reigning premiers skittled for 104.
And for Leach, it was the start of a magical spell that saw him return 7-26 from 16.3 overs, including nine maidens.
“It’s the best return in my career, by a long shot,” Leach, 22, told the Loddon Herald.
“My best previously was only five, about four years ago. It’s been a long time.”
The right-arm medium-pacer said match conditions were in his favour, with persistent rain and a ball which was waterlogged and developed a split in the seam.
While those circumstances might not normally be advantageous for a bowler, Leach said it meant he had to focus on only one thing
“It was as simple as putting it on the stumps,” Leach said.
And that he did most successfully, with five of the seven Arnold batsmen out bowled or LBW.
“I mainly teased them outside off, and occasionally put one on the stumps,” he said.
Last season, Leach normally batted at third drop, but this season he has promoted himself to number three.
With Arnold dismissing opener Matt Rowe with 26 runs on the board, Leach came to the crease with only a couple of overs left in the day.
He managed to see it out and will resume on Saturday on five with his side 1-33 and harbouring hopes of an outright win if Kingower can quickly pass Arnold’s total.
“It’s a good start, but the game’s not over until it’s over,” skipper Leach said.
“We’ll stick with it, and there’s still a long time left to get a result.”
Upper Loddon cricket this Saturday sees Arnold and Kingower resume their two-day clash while Bridgewater makes its return to the competition after a year in recess, playing at home against last season’s runners-up Wedderburn.
The association’s fifth club, Boort Yando, has another week before stepping onto the pitch this season.
Boort Yando this week announced the experienced Brian Minogue will coach this senior outfit this season. Last weekend, Boort replaced the pitch matting that had been damaged during the off-season.