ENGLISH recruit Josh Bowyer can’t wait to take it to the opening bowlers of the Sunraysia Cricket Association.
The 18-year-old from Ipswich joins Mildura East as an attacking opening batsman as the side look to bounce back from the bottom of the table last campaign.
With the addition of Bowyer, and 2013/14 premiership players Brad Thomas and Regan Connell returning, the East batting line-up already looks stronger than last campaign.
The Englishman, who has risen through the junior ranks for County Suffolk, is on his first overseas venture, and hopes a strong season can help East return to finals, alongside getting an opportunity to play at senior County level upon returning home. He will also help coach East’s J1 and J2 juniors at the club this season.
In a practice match under lights at John Hall Oval last week, Bowyer scored 37 against Mildura West.
Bowyer saw similarities between Mildura and his home town, both being based upon rivers, and preferred a move to Sunraysia rather then the big cities.
“I enjoy the smaller atmosphere, I’m not as big on cities like Melbourne or Sydney, so I’m looking to enjoy it here where I can get a bit more involved,” he said.
“Hopefully score some runs abroad, maybe push on to the next level somewhere over here or back home in England.
“From what I’ve heard so far, it (SCA) is competitive … there are also a lot of Poms around here as well which is nice to hear.”
The teenager, who’s cricketing education came from St Joseph’s College in Ipswich, recently completed his Under 18 season for County Suffolk, which included a highest score of 90, as well as 17 wickets. The previous season he made an unbeaten 117 against Bedfordshire.
“Hopefully when I go back in the summer I can earn my way into the senior sides,” Bowyer said.
“It would look good on the resume and coaches look at that and see he’s had experience abroad as well which will be good.
“I’m quite attacking, I like to put pressure on the bowlers and not let them settle in, like to go after them.
“I love the battle with the bowlers as well, I enjoy the contest.”
When asked if anything was on his Australian bucket list, Bowyer said he’d love to have a game of Aussie Rules.
“I play a lot of rugby back home so I’d love to try and have a game of footy at some stage,” he said.
“I kick the ball like a rubber ball so far but maybe with a bit of practice I can get a bit better.”
Mildura East begin their campaign on Saturday against Gol Gol at Alcheringa Oval.
