By JARROD POTTER
“EVERYTHING just clicked this week.”
It’s a simple way to put it, but when you tick off your maiden cricket century, especially in a foreign country as Clyde import Bradley Birkhead did on the weekend, little more explanation was needed.
Birkhead, 18, from Huddersfield, England, was brought to the crease at 4/131 with his Cougars chasing St Francis Xavier’s 174 in West Gippsland’s District Division.
After a mediocre start to his time at Lineham Oval – knocking in three, nine, two and five not out – everything just fitted into place as he went about compiling only the second ton in the District so far this season.
The other century came from his team mate John Simpson, but the runs weren’t coming from Simpson on Saturday, leaving it to the Yorkshireman to get the job done and cash in on a start.
“It was a good innings – it was tough through the day we lost quite a lot of wickets while I was in,” Birkhead said.
“Usually we rely on Simmo (John Simpson) to get some runs, but this time he didn’t make any so someone else had to step up.
“It was a great feeling to walk off with 300 on the board and feeling like I’ve helped my team get the win… I was talking to everyone that night congratulating me… hopefully there’s more of that to come.”
Birkhead’s time in Australia was spurred on by Yorkshire team mates telling him to pursue the international opportunity and he thought the timing was right after finishing his schooling.
“Lots of people from England come over… I’m playing at Yorkshire – the County Cricket club – at the moment… heard a lot of the boys had been coming out for years and once I finished school I decided to come out as I had the time to do it now,” Birkhead said.
“It’s really good here – a lot different the cricket side of it… compared to England.
“Here I think the team is more together and everyone is team-related and it’s a good atmosphere.
“I really like it at Clyde and really want to win the flag, want to score lots of runs and enjoy myself while I’m here.”
Birkhead’s next outing for the Cougars will be against Devon Meadows at home starting this weekend.
