LEAVING the ball hasn’t really factored in Kian Burns’ thinking at the batting crease.
The Mildura West English import likes to play on instinct, which for him means getting bat on ball, and as a result the runs can come quickly.
That came to light when the 21-year-old scored his second century for the club last week, unbeaten on 102 from 110 deliveries with 14 boundaries against Mildura Settlers.
Not that the average punter may have known, as continual issues in a new PlayHQ scoring system mean Burns was only credited with 53.
The same thing happened for Nichols Point run machine Shannon Bowen, whose 105 not out against Merbein, which included 12 fours and two sixes, was also cut short.
Now all appears fixed, Burns can bask in his average of 79 to start the season.
It makes for better reading than 12 months ago, when the Devon native had just one run from his first three innings, but he finished in style with 287 runs in his final six innings averaging 57.4 and including a century.
“It’s nice, it’s been a lot better start than this time last year when I only had one run after my first three innings,” he said.
“I did get a century last season as well, but it was nice to get one under the belt early. I’m hitting it okay.”
When asked about his ability to score quickly, Burns simply responded: “I don’t like leaving the ball much”.
“I know it’s a bit of a silly thing in cricket but that was just how I played growing up, it’s pretty instinctive.”
Burns returned to UK during winter and played some strong cricket for Penzance in Cornwall before deciding to return for a second stint with West.
“I didn’t actually know what I was going to do, I hadn’t really thought that far ahead,” he said.
“Charlie Walker, who played here last year, and I were planning to come back again this year but unfortunately he had a stress fracture in his back and had to pull out.
“As it happens, one of my mates, Greg Solkin, asked if I was coming back and if he could come along, too. He’s been here playing seconds so far and he’s absolutely loving it.
“It’s obviously a long, long way from home but they have made me feel so welcome. Even cricket aside, they are some of the nicest people I’ve met.
“It’s nice to see a lot of competition for places in firsts and seconds, and good to see some young lads pushing themselves forwards.
“Young Jack Probert made his debut this season, Joshy Driscoll batted really well at the weekend and Taj Hill, only 17, batted well and has been solid with the ball.”
West will defend 282 against Setts at John Hall Oval.
