Story Career Man, Mike Birch

[Guesty98]

Chapter 1

Signing

July 2021

It was done, two documents with my signature where it was required. I was set, my dream to play professional cricket, and one day, for Australia, was well on its way to happening.

My name is Mike Birch, and I’m a Victorian boy through and through. Born and raised in Melbourne. My summers were filled with games of cricket, sometimes multiple games on the same day or weekend, while my winters saw me turn out as a midfielder for my local footy (Australia Rules Football) club. A Collingwood man, my life had been filled with sport, but cricket was my calling.

A left-handed batsman, I could bat anywhere in the middle order, though I preferred the number three spot. I had based myself on Michael Hussey, build an innings, a stroke maker, I wasn’t a big hitter, more focused on watching and timing the ball. I didn’t really bowl, just a couple of dodgy mediums, and preferred to field as a catching man, despite the fact I was nimble and liked to run.

Two really strong years of grade cricket had been enough to convince the Victorian management that I was worth a go. With a couple of players being let go, the demand for middle order batsmen was high, I was ready to fill the void.

With a couple of the Victorian staff connected with the Melbourne Stars, a contract with them popped up as well. Considering I was an unknown quantity at the level, and no one else had made any offers, I was more than willing to put pen to paper for them.

A two-week pre-season camp in Brisbane awaited.

 

[Guesty98]

Chapter 2

Debut

The format of the JLT Cup had proven extremely unpopular with the Australian cricket fraternity, but CA kept plugging away with it, refusing to believe the evidence in front of them as the national side struggled to stay in touch with the top sides. A three-week tournament played in grounds of Brisbane and Sydney, with a rejuvenated Victorian squad, and the fact Eric Pollock and Peter Handscomb, there were spots for the taking.

Two hundreds at club level, combined with 76 in an intra-squad match, secures my place in the playing XI for the JLT Cup. I’m more shocked when Maxwell tells me I’ll be batting 3.

My debut was an interesting experience. Asked to bat first in near-perfect bowling conditions, I batted three, and proved a lone resistance, scrapping out 42 off 97 balls as we were bundled out for 130. The intensity of what before had seemed just a straight forward one-day domestic game was startling, the Queensland quicks, while not the fiercest in the country, were extremely effective with the swinging ball, and made my team mates pay as they attempted to play the ball out in front of them. I instead tried to play the ball as late as possible, and found some success with it, although I did gain some runs with edges through the slips.

With little time to lick our wounds, we made a strong start in our next game against Western Australia, bowling them out for 191. We then found ourselves in a hole at 2-4. before I was able to help steady the ship with Glenn Maxwell. Restricting his natural game, Glenn and I were able to wrestle back the momentum, slowly but surely. We knocked off 50 runs, and then 100. Having a relatively small target to chase, meant we didn’t have to play any outrageous shots, and could just tick along. We both passed 50, before Glenn fell with 55 to get. I kept moving along, 70, became 80, and then 85, before I tried an adventurous hoik off Mitch Marsh and was trapped in front. While extremely pleasing, I wasn’t even awarded man of the match, with 4-55 allowing Reg Bannister to take home the spoils in a good team win.

My confidence grew in our next game against Tasmania, I backed up with a solid 57, which helped us get to 322. With something to defend, our bowlers then routed the helpless Tassie boys for 48.

Having such a decent start, my follow up innings weren’t great, scores of 5, 17, 8 I was shuffled around the order a bit as our international players, such as Eric Pollock came back for a quick stint. We qualified outright for the final but ran into a South Australian side who were on top of their game. I was really annoyed, batting first, I had got myself to 24 off 25 and feeling really good, when I misjudged the length of a Scott Boland delivery, and chipped one to mid-off. Our 296 always felt 20 runs to short, and so it proved as our opponents got home with 5 wickets and 9 balls to spare.

All up, I’d finished the tournament with 238 runs at an average of 34 with two half-centuries, not the absolute worst considering I was batting at three. With the one-dayers out of the way, it was time to turn my attention to the Sheffield Shield, and put all my hard work to the test. We had a Shield game against South Australia starting in just over a week.

 

[Guesty98]

Chapter 3

Junction Oval

The Junction Oval had been upgraded a few years ago to provide Victorian cricket a home for when the MCG was unavailable. It was to be the home for my first first-class game. The sun was out when captain Matthew Wade won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that looked like it would need some time to bake, the first session would be incredibly important for us.

I was pencilled in at three, and had to wait till the first over after drinks, when Marnus Labuschagne fell to James Keegan. I strode out with purpose, readjusting my helmet before I stepped onto the field.

The South Australians were already in their position when I arrived. My batting partner, Andy Blundell, who was also making his debut, didn’t have much to say, except that “it’s holding in the pitch a bit”.

I marked out centre, faced up, and was glad to see Keegan’s first ball well wide of my off-stump. His next ball was on my pads, I got a bit of bat on it and then watched it roll down to fine leg, while I scurried my first run. Next over I timed a drive between cover and mid-off from Coulter-Nile’s bowling. I felt like I was away.

With the pitch playing some tricks, Jake Lehman brought himself on quite early with his finger spinners. Sensing a chance to add some quick runs, I launched into him, only to see the ball fly to the right of mid-wicket, who stuck out a hand, but the ball didn’t stick, and I was given a reprieve.

I had an LBW appeal turned down next over, and made a vow to keep my head down. I went into lunch 16 not out with Andy still there, but he fell shortly after we resumed. Marcus Stoinis saw me gain some belief as the pitch began to produce a lot of balls that kept low, requiring a shift onto the front foot. We pinched singles and I punched some boundaries down the ground, which helped build my confidence. On 48, I placed a cut between point and slip, and managed to get home safely for my second run.

Polite applause rang out, there was only around one-hundred people watching, but I managed to pick out Mum and Dad, giving them a little wave with the bat. Stoinis’ big smile was soon wiped off his face as he departed for 17.

Captain Wade joined me, and together we inched closer to 200, but just like after the first break, Wade fell right after tea. Paul Hales came and joined me, we added 29, before he fell, and Peter joined me. I kept ticking along, and found myself in the 80s, when I edged a drive to slip. I turned my head, only to see Jay Weatherald drop a straightforward chance. I breathed, lucky.

Peter fell shortly afterwards, a look at the scorecard showed we were 6-234. In a bit of pickle, and I even saw a 95 against my name. Kurt Legge joined me, he’d made his test debut last summer, a promising young quick, three first-class fifties showed he could stick around.

A loose Joe Mennie delivery was dispatched past square leg, 99. Then came the waiting, a tight ring field meant I had to display patience, I let go two half-volleys I would have normally have played at, then a short ball I jabbed at, that popped up but fell safely short of anyone. Ten minutes on 99, turned into 20, and then came a ball on my hips, I turned it fine and race off to the other end. I knew I was safe. Joy flew through me, I had done it! A first-class hundred in my first game! How good was this? Kurt came down and gave me a hug, I was over the moon, with my parents in attendance and in my hometown.

I went about resetting my mind, a hundred couldn’t be enough, as Dad always said, you had to go and make a big hundred. It was time to do that.

The tail stuck around as I found a few more gaps, 300 came up, 7 down, I was 130 by this stage. Then another wicket fell, could I get my 150? A few streaky shots saw me get there, until I tried one shot too many and sent it straight up into the air, where the fielder made no mistake. I was out, 168, and we were 9-342. 341 balls, 411 minutes and 20 boundaries. An odyssey. I got a few handshakes from my opponents as I walked back.

We ended up making 346, and then knocked South Australia over for 186, strangely enough we enforced the follow on, and South Australia batted well enough to set us 153. I was in at 1-7, and out merely four balls later, knocked over by a Coulter-Nile ball that hit the pitch and jagged in a mile. The pitch hadn’t improved greatly since day one, it was providing dramatic assistance, and enough to knock me over for my first duck.

All up, we ended up losing, falling 23 runs short, a shocking turnaround win for the South Aussies who were jubilated at their performance. I sat around in the change rooms after, shocked at the result. A lot of hard work in the first innings had been undone by a collection of my failures and a substandard performance from the team. We had to rebound, we had a game in a couple of days.

 

[Guesty98]

Chapter 4

Shield Fun

Our misery was cut short by a plane ride to Queensland, where we were to face the Bulls at the GABBA. I made a patient 93 off 202 balls, with only 9 boundaries, showing me how important fitness was as I found my concentration weaning in the latter stages of the first day. I was able to get through it, but it was eventually my undoing when I edged a drive to slip in the first hour on day 2. A Glenn Maxwell century pushed us to nearly 500, and we then rolled Queensland twice in quick time to record our first victory of the season.

We flew down to Tasmania, and on a flattish wicket, I made 43 and 149*, putting on 190 with Pollock, ensuring we walked away with a draw. I was really pleased with how quickly I was picking up the length off the ball, which allowed me enough time to select the correct shot to each ball.

A follow up game against Tassie saw a third century, this time saving the game as we followed on after a dismal first innings effort. 106 was pleasing, but I was left with an important lesson as my wicket saw us collapse from 2-240 to 323, which nearly cost us the game.

I only got a first innings gig against South Australia and was disappointed to fail on the Adelaide Oval. We went to the Big Bash break sitting fifth on the table, despite the fact we’d outplayed our opponents in nearly every game.

After such a whirlwind start to the Shield season, I didn’t want to stop playing. Having as long as I wanted to bat was such a joy (especially at 3). I didn’t feel like I had a lot of pressure on me, despite my role, and although the Big Bash was to be exciting, I wanted to continue playing red-ball cricket, because who knew when my form would take a turn for the worse?

I was surprised to see a stat later on while flicking through social media, I was the leading run scorer in the Shield, 567 runs @ 81

 

[Guesty98]

Chapter 5

Bash time

My debut for the Melbourne Stars was simply awesome, played out in front of over 40,000 people at the Adelaide Oval wasn’t the start the team wanted, 7-188 in 20 overs. I contributed 68 off 44, finishing off unbeaten, in on the second ball of the game, I had no trouble targeting my hitting areas, mainly straight on the offside, the covers, and flicks behind square. Unfortunately, no one wanted to stick around, and our target was chased down easily.

Big Bash scores:

Vs Sydney Thunder: 26, chased down 150

Vs Sydney Sixers, 10, lose by 6 wickets

Vs Melbourne Renegades, 51*, won by 10 wickets (opener)

Vs Hobart Hurricanes, 1, lost by 5 wickets (opener)

Vs Melbourne Renegades, 63, won by 8 wickets (opener), MOTM

Vs Brisbane Heat, 12, won by 9 wickets (opener)

Vs Perth Scorchers, 12, lost by 5 wickets (opener)

Big Bash, 243 @ 40.50, 3 half-centuries

A whirlwind tournament, flight, hotel, net session, match and the cycle would repeat, though we snuck in back-to-back home games around New Years, which allowed me some time off. Personally I had quite the tournament, the bowling attacks were canny, but I tried to hit to my areas and it seemed to work. The highlight was no doubt my man of the match performance against the Melbourne Renegades, with 53,000 people at the MCG cheering for us, each boundary caused a great deal of delight to the crowd as we successfully chased 149.

Sheffield Shield

Vs Western Australia, 10 & 70, batted well in the second dig to secure a draw.

Vs Western Australia, 113 & 42, in response to 3/609, patient and score well. Ends in a tame draw.

Vs New South Wales, 50 & 40, lead the team to a six-wicket win. Batted with patience, starting to gather widespread attention.

Vs Queensland, 52 & 10, QLD chase 315 for the loss of two wickets. Went for quick runs in the second innings, need to build on the starts.

Vs New South Wales, 6 & 69, batted well, done by a corker in the first dig. Help set up a big chase as the side had a good win.

Sheffield Shield season, 1029 @ 60.53, 4 centuries, 5 half-centuries. 2nd leading run scorer in the Shield

We finished fourth in the Shield, missing out on the finals. It’s disappointing as a team collectively, our batting wasn’t good enough at times but it’s the lack of bowlers coming through which is of great concern. Legge was too expensive at times, and with no apparent guns coming through, it was a worrying sign.

I was invited to the end of season awards at the Crown Casino in Melbourne. It was nice to be able to rub shoulders with the best of Australian cricket. I was awarded the Bradman Young Cricketer of the year courtesy of a strong debut season, where all up I’d scored 1510 runs, had been the second leading run scorer in the Shield, had made the Shield team of the year (at 5) and had made 4 first-class tons. It had been quite an exceptional year, but I knew there was still a lot more to do, runs had to be made, and games of cricket had to be won. I was nervous but excited, who knew what awaited me? Only time would answer that question.

 

[Master Bates]

TBH the story does not sound good

 

[Guesty98]

TBH the story does not sound good

Thanks for your comment, why do you believe the story isn't good and how do you think it can be improved?

 

[Master Bates]

Thanks for your comment, why do you believe the story isn't good and how do you think it can be improved?

Too much dramatized. Sounds very fake

 

[Guesty98]

Too much dramatized. Sounds very fake

I can appreciate that the start is a little fantastical, and I certainly play it out a bit. The story will revert to a more performance summary as seen in the last chapter. As for the actual performances of the character, I simmed everything on Cricket Captain 2016, and played only a handful of matches, so the scores are out of my control. From those scores I try and write something worth while reading. I think a bit of drama helps bring people in, but there won't be too much of it for a while.

Let me know what you think as the story goes on.

 

[Guesty98]

Chapter 6

Second year blues

2022


The middle of the Australian spring brought in the beginning of the cricket season, and with that, opportunity. I had been waiting for weeks to get back out there for my home state, after a holiday in April to Europe, I’d been batting in the nets three times a week since May, raring myself to go for another season. As always, it would start with the customary JLT Cup.


JLT Cup

Vs CA XI, 17, got myself in, then got myself out. Felt good, but played a rash shot to a good ball, side went down by a wicket.

Vs Queensland, 16, similar situation to my first bat. Managed a cut that looped to point, found my timing a bit off too. Bit worried that I my bottom hand may be squeezing tighter right the bat, causing me hit the ball in the air more. Side lost by 5 runs.

Vs Western Australia, 27. A patient approach worked, and then it didn’t. Had found my groove and timing, when I chopped one on. Really frustrating as I felt as I was really “in” for the first time this year. Struck some great boundaries through cover, but it’s back to the nets.

Vs South Australia, 24, caught on the crease. beaten by an inswinger, fell over a bit. These starts are extremely frustrating, I can’t seem to go on with it. I hive myself a good start, and then let it go to waste. Need a breakthrough score soon.

Vs New South Wales, 35*, helped the side chase down 200. Score really quickly, 35 off 30 with six boundaries. Was finding the gaps on the off side and timed the ball as well as I have this season. Pleasing day.

Vs Tasmania, 97, in with Maxwell at 2-13. Went really slow the first 15 overs, ball was nipping around quite late. Got on top as I pushed some balls through the gaps, pushed the field back a bit. Accelerated around the 25 over mark, looked to get my century before exploding, unfortunately I chipped one back to Jackson Bird to finish short of my first century. Really pleasing innings, best of the season. Strong through midwicket, and had some nicely timed boundaries behind quare on the off. Andrew Ruttles picked up four with his offies in a 60-run win.

Finished the JLT Cup with 216 runs @ 42.3, Victoria finished fourth. No finals. Not quite good enough, onto the Shield


Sheffield Shield

Vs Queensland, 1 & 53, bowled early because I failed to watch the ball. Second dig, batted time, dug in and got my half-century, took 117 balls, then through it away with a reckless shot. Disappointing, but did help the side set a match winning target.

Vs New South Wales, 8 & 18, playing an attack of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins, I was in for a tough battle. Didn’t help myself by playing across the line against Starc with the new ball, plumb LBW. Battled for 52 balls in the second dig, only to chop on to the other left armer. Frustrating. The three test players, Smith, Warner and Pollock (who hit 157* in the second dig) showed that they were still a few levels above me, they’re so watchful, and time the ball so well that it races off the bat. Still a lot to learn.

Vs Western Australia, 6 & 26. Dismissed by Joel Paris twice, first caught behind, and then LBW. Not picking the ball up straight away, perhaps something to do with the left armers action? Will try to open up my stance a hint, but considering it’s lefty against lefty, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Ashes about to commence.

A solid win for the Aussies in the first test was soured by Eric Pollock injuring his hamstrong, a two week stint on the sidelines. If I’d been in the runs, perhaps I might have been with an outside chance, but the selectors went with a pair of Queenslanders, Sam Heazlett and Alex Andrews instead.

Vs Western Australia, 3 & 20, out to Paris twice more. So annoying, I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong now. Bowled and then caught in the slips. This year seems to be the year of starts, I need to capitalise on these.

Vs South Australia, 0 & 79, second ball to Joe Mennie, I was not in a good place. Felt like a walking wicket, and I probably looked like it too. Second innings I decided to just hit, and had 20 in fifteen minutes, I slowed down a bit, but ended up going at just under a run-a-ball. I played with such freedom that I didn’t realise how close I was to a ton in the end, but I wasn’t overly phased, I was in the runs.


Big Bash

Vs Adelaide Strikers, 19 off 10. A run out and a tie. Frustrating. That seems to be my world at the moment. I quite like opening, and had struck three boundaries when the case of “yes, no, uh…” struck me, still we defended a low target (150) well.

Vs Sydney Thunder, 2 off 3, needed to give myself more time. Chasing 182, just skied a short ball that wasn’t there to be hit. Just roll on.

Vs Sydney Sixers, 9 off 10. Got a masterclass from my team mate Alex Black, who hit 118, mind you, he did get a bit lucky early on. I played another silly shot. We failed to defend 208.


After being 2-0 up, Australia loses the Ashes with a nine-wicket defeat at the SCG. With an extremely old side, and youngsters who can’t quite secure their place in the batting order, it is wondered who will step up and take their place.


Vs Melbourne Renegades, 8 off 6, playing an adventurous shot, I’m not even getting platforms now. Maybe a drop down the order would help?

Vs Hobart Hurricanes, 32 off 23, a drop down to 3 worked. Didn’t help chasing 201, but I felt more comfortable coming in one down, for whatever the reason. Felt good until I was beaten off the pitch, LBW again.

Vs Melbourne Renegades, 36, second derby of the year and it’s back to back thirties, at least it’s something, a partnership with Alex Black, who I really haven’t spent a lot of time with out in the middle. For a pom, he’s not too bad. Another loss means we are now no chance of finals.

Vs Brisbane Heat, 7 off 15, another run out, incredibly annoying considering we were chasing only 100. It wasn’t even my fault, I need some red ball cricket.

Vs Perth Scorchers, 29 off 26, it’s over. Out bowled, but I’m glad it’s out of the way. Another loss, time to move on.

2022/23 Big Bash, 144 runs @ 18 A poor tournament both for me and team.


Sheffield Shield

Vs Tasmania, 4-132 in response to 269, decisive point in the match, got my fifty shortly afterwards with a boundary through midwicket, took 113 balls. Grew in confidence as Maxi and I batted, with fifteen minutes till tea, I pushed one backward of point and took off. Another hundred. This one was of relief. A big hug from Maxi. New ball taken after tea, negotiated, only to fall not long afterwards for 123, but the side was 50 in front. Our bowlers toiled hard, and we only had to chase 133, in early just before stumps, I found my fluency the next day, and raised the bat for my half-century, unfortunately I wasn’t there at the end, falling for 57, but my efforts saw me awarded man of the match. 123 & 57.

Vs South Australia, 47 & 72*. Chipped one back to Adam Zampa when in sight of my fifty, how silly, but I backed it up with a rearguardish effort. Set 266 in 49 overs on a wicket that wasn’t doing much, but with a bit of zip from playing at night time, we decided to see how we were at the last interval and reassess, at that time, we were 3-56, so Pete (Handscomb) and I decided to just bat time. I got an even three hours at the crease, plus a little not out to help improve the average.

Vs Tasmania, 13 & 17*, we didn’t win because of me. Having bowled so well early on in day 5, Peter Hales took 6-31, we needed 107 in the last session, after the openers saw off the new ball, I had 90 to get 23 overs. I was 17 off 42 when the rain came and we were 24 short with half an hour to go. I had batted to cautiously and had cost us the game. Sitting in the change rooms afterwards, the importance of rotating the strike when you were struggling became more apparent. Time will tell if I’ve learnt my lesson.

Vs Queensland, 6 & 47, we got hammered on a good wicket. Let Queensland make over 500, and then got done by a spell of quality seam bowling in the last session on day two. We had to follow on and we’re always struggling, I got some time in the middle, but again fell just short of a half century after doing all the hard work.

Vs New South Wales, 22 & 0, finished off the season in disappointing fashion. It probably reflected the sort of season I’ve had. I got in, made a start (22), then with only a couple of overs left in the day, Josh Hazlewood pinned me down on the crease as I tried to survive, rather than batting with positive intent. Then with a whole day to bat, I got myself in early trouble and snicked off for a duck. In the end, the Blues had 2 overs to chase 34, they got 24 of them, as our disappointing season ended in bizarre fashion.

Sheffield Shield, 618 @ 34.33 (1 x 100, 4 x 50) Couldn't go with a good start after the resumption of the Shield, just have to work even harder in the off season. Plenty of lessons learnt throughout the year.

 

[CerealKiller]

Nice story

 

[Guesty98]

Chapter 7

Two small steps back

A four-week holiday to Europe in the middle of May seemed like a good idea, and it was. I had an enjoyable time, relaxing every day, so that by the time I began hitting balls in late June, I was ready to have the best season ever. Unfortunately, that wasn't how it turned out...

2023/24 Season

JLT Cup

Vs South Australia, 32, was playing well, just couldn’t put away Anthony Redmon, who tied us up all day. He nipped one in and caught me dead in front, side didn’t post enough, went down by five wickets.

Injury – broke my finger at training, doc says at least a month, we just have to wait and see. Not going to be pleasant, but I just have to get my rehab right.

Sheffield Shield

Vs Queensland, 50 & 10, after missing the first two games of the Shield with my injury, I was glad to be back for our third game against the Bulls. Up at the Gabba, we were treated to the flattest deck I’ve ever played on, I threw away a good chance to score big, getting to my 50, and then getting out. Something to work on. Only made 10 in the second dig, went for a slash, should have tried to have been not out at the end. Scoring 747 in the first innings, our game petered out to a draw.

Vs Tasmania, 64 & 18, a decent score in the first innings downplayed by a poor score in the second innings as we collapsed to a 7-wicket loss.

Vs New South Wale, 54 & 5, another good score in the first innings, but left the chance to take us home, falling for five in the second innings as we cruised home to a six-wicket win.

Big Bash

Vs Adelaide Strikers, 78 off 48, played really well, was striking the ball with ease and playing my shots. Disappointing the side couldn’t get up, but a good infividual start.

Vs Sydney Thunder, 68 off 44, a boundary fest, but no stuck around with me. Side ended up on 135, shows how poor we can be if we’re not switched on.

Missed the game against the Sixers, finger flared up a bit, so team management and I decided to sit it out, didn’t help as we went down.

Vs Melbourne Renegades, 53* off 36, batted well on a slowish pitch, boundaries were hard to come by, and eventually got to my fifty in the last over. An innings I look back on with pride, as I really hard to bat well to make runs. A tie is better than a loss, but not good for us.

A strong start to the Big Bash (204 @ 102, with a SR of 159.37) sees my name tossed around for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan. I'm hopeful that the selectors will decide to rest a few players considering such a short turnaround to the one-day series. I know that all I can do is to keep putting runs on the board.

Missed another game due to the finer flaring up.

Vs Hobart, 19 off 17, back in, didn’t do much as we lost.

Vs Brisbane Heat, 0 off 1, first golden duck at this level, disappointing, and the result didn’t help as we got thumped.


Despite a shocking night against the Heat, my world is turned upside down when I get a call from the head of selectors, Brad Hodge, who informed me that I had been picked for the T20 series against Pakistan. Thrilled, I caught a plane home, packed my essentials and caught a plane over to Adelaide all in the space of ten hours. Nervous as any new member should be, I found company quickly with my Victorian team mate Pollock, who helped ease me in.

The next few days passed very quickly, training sessions, team meetings, press conferences, media shots, it was all a bit daunting. It all led the deflating news that I would in fact not be making my debut in Adelaide, and would instead have to wait till the next game in Sydney. Trying to hide my disappointment was made easier as I ran the drinks in a strong seven-wicket win for us. Still, it didn't make things any easier.

Things got better two days later when I was pencilled in at five, Aaron Finch presented me with my cap,

Pakistan put us in on a slow wicket, and had us on the back foot when I came in at 3-42. Facing the crafty mediums of Azizullah Azizullah, I keep out my first ball, a little wobbler outside off stump. The next one is full, I flick it in the air in front of square, four runs. Runs at international level! Next over, I drive one down the ground, four more. Feeling a bit more comfortable, Azizullah drops one short, before I know what I’m doing, I’m back and across, bang, six! Next ball, a cut and a misfield, four more. I could feel the buzz of the crowd, not only was I surviving at international level, I was thriving! I’d never felt so alive.

It came to a sudden end a short while later, trapped in front trying one too many shots, out for 24 and I got a good cheer as I walked off the field.

I ended up being the top scorer as we’re rolled for 123. We work hard on the field and force it to the final couple of overs, but we didn’t score enough as we go down by eight wickets.

A fun night, despite not producing the result the team wanted, I couldn't help but walk away with a smile on my face. I'd had a little crack at the big time, showed that I wasn't completely out of my depth. I wanted to prove myself, so that I could do it again.

Big Bash stats (223 runs @ 55.75)

Sheffield Shield

Vs Western Australia, 76 & 49, back to red ball cricket and in a bit of form. Really had no one stay with me in either innings, annoying as I could never just focus on myself. In the end, we had a tricky 54 overs to bat out to draw the game, which we did, but we were 7 down at stumps. Wished I could have got my fifty, batting two hours to get bowled one run short of a milestone is a bit of a let down.

Vs South Australia, 4, big win by an innings. Came in at 1-160, but didn’t play myself in. Regardless of how easy it is for my other team mates, I still have to make sure I’m set before I go and play my shots.

Vs Western Australia, 32 & 45, two more middling scores, like last season all over again. I get myself in, then get myself out, I can’t even remember the last time I scored a hundred.

International news: Australia start their World Cup campaign in India, with a one-wicket win over the world’s number one ranked side, South Africa. A fifty-five run last wicket stand means they get a repeat result against New Zealand.

Vs Queensland, 10 & 15, not good enough. What else can I say?

Vs Tasmania, 50 & 25*, better, but I can’t go on with it, need to do better. Batted out time in the second innings as the game was called off early.

Shield season done, 507 runs @ 36.21 (5 x 50s)

Another frustrating season, so many starts I'd thrown away, and I hadn't scored a century in over a year now. My 20/20 form was something to look back on with pride, as well as my Australian debut, I'd had a taste for top line cricket, but now I wanted more, and the only way to get there was by making runs. The only way to make runs was by spending time in the nets...

International news:
Australia, 4-94 chasing 333, Smith and Slade with unbeaten centuries see the Aussies home. Needing 12 off the last over, they do it with two balls to spare. Undefeated throughout the entire tournament.