ANY cricket team would be lucky to have Shannon Bowen in their side, and Nichols Point coach Luke Coates is glad he’s with him.
The gun all-rounder would have every right to spruik his achievements. He’s scored over 10,000 career runs across stints in the Red Cliffs and Sunraysia cricket associations, yet he deflects any attention the same way he executes a perfectly timed leg glance.
It means it’s up to others to praise him, and there are no shortage of takers.
In his first year at his newest club, Bowen has played an important role in the side sitting third on the table after five rounds, including a season-high 118 against Mildura Settlers last round. He’s currently third in the SCA scoring charts with 223 runs, behind only Gol Gol pair Shac Thomas (273) and Aidan Calarco (251).
Coates said it had been fun to watch Bowen in full flight.
“It’s been good to have a teammate get out there and score runs, and even just holding up an end to build partnerships,” he said.
“He’s got such good hand-eye coordination and a good mindset as well. He knows when to attack and when not to, and where he can the ball with the fields set to him.”
The Pointers have been pushing to make SCA First Division finals since coming across from the RCCA in 2011, yet they have not quite been able break into that top four at season’s end.
Coates said it is exciting for the club to currently be sitting third on the ladder.
“It’s probably a different position to what a few of the guys have experienced, and I know in my couple of years here we just couldn’t get up there,” he said.
“It’s been pretty even across the team so far.”
Coates said confidence is lifting in the team after their strong victory over Settlers last round.
The coach himself made his highest score for the club of 46 from 44 deliveries, reigning Innes Medal winner Shaun Mathews claimed 6/46, and young all-rounder Lewis Dichiera continues his impressive rise with a patient 40 and 2/12 from 10 overs.
“I got sent in late and was lucky I was able to take a bit of advantage with the bowling,” Coates said.
“It was great for Shaun to do what he does best and take wickets, and seeing Lewy getting a few as well was great.
“It’s good to have a young guy in your line-up who has a great future as a batter but you can even throw him the new ball, too.”
Nichols Point head to Henshilwood Oval to face Irymple in what looms as the match of the round.
“Like us, they’re pretty even across the board, and both their batting and bowling go deep… it should be a great contest,” Coates said.
