Andover talent Alex Ayers is beginning to find his feet after an inauspicious start to his cricketing winter with Sydney Grade club Parramatta.
Ayers flew to Australia in late September on the back of a particularly fine summer locally, scoring some 1,200 runs for Jon Ayling’s Dauntsey’s School, near Devizes, and almost 500 in half a season for Southern Premier League Division 1 side Andover, including two centuries, 135 against Rowledge and 122 v Ventnor.
The Amport-based 18-year old immediately found himself plunged in at the deep end with Parramatta, where the late great Richie Benaud cut his teeth in District cricket before going on to captain Australia in 28 of his 63 Tests.
He pouched more victims (nine) behind the stumps than he scored more runs with the bat in his first four knocks for Parramatta’s second grade side.
But a half-century, which helped set up a seven-wicket win for Parramatta IIs over Hawkesbury, has given Ayers a timely confidence boost and got some much needed runs under his belt.
He confessed: “I only got seven runs in those four knocks and it took me longer than expected to adapt to play over here, probably the best part of two months, if I’m honest.
“Playing Grade matches over two Saturdays, you have to get used to not batting every-week. Sometimes 3 weeks without a bat. In terms of the wickets they are better to bat on in theory. Hopefully I’ve found a way now.”
Right direction
Since making 59 as Parramatta chased down Hawkesbury’s 236, Ayers has made 26 (v Sutherland), 47 against Sydney University, and 29 in last weekend’s Shield match with Fairford-Liverpool.
“My form has turned in right direction perhaps because earlier I was overthinking it a bit. I’ve gone back to basics and hitting in the V,” he explained.
“Second grade is pretty good. Sydney, apparently, is best in Australia. I think top second teams would challenge those of the Southern Premier and it seems as though we could go on a decent run in the competition this winter.”
Ayers, whose elder spin bowling brother Charlie also plays for Andover, certainly isn’t homesick or getting bored.
“I earn my pocket money coaching and doing the odd day’s work helping an electrician out. Other than that I try and train as much as I can,” he said.
“Grade cricket clubs train hard twice a week as well, so I’ve got plenty to do.
“I’ve really enjoyed exploring Sydney and it’s beaches. Thankfully, we are not in proximity to the fires that have devesated large parts of New South Wales, but there’s been plenty of smoke in the city.
“The coming month will be busy and exciting, with the Big Bash starting and Pakistan playing in the New Year Test at the SCG, so there will be plenty to do.
"But my over-riding want is to do well here. I've been given a terrific opportunity to play in a sport crazy city and I intend to make the most of it.
"I tasted a bit of county Second XI cricket with Hampshire this past season and want some more. If I can improve my all-round game while I'm in Australia, it will hold me in good stead for 2020 in England."
Ayers flew to Australia in late September on the back of a particularly fine summer locally, scoring some 1,200 runs for Jon Ayling’s Dauntsey’s School, near Devizes, and almost 500 in half a season for Southern Premier League Division 1 side Andover, including two centuries, 135 against Rowledge and 122 v Ventnor.
The Amport-based 18-year old immediately found himself plunged in at the deep end with Parramatta, where the late great Richie Benaud cut his teeth in District cricket before going on to captain Australia in 28 of his 63 Tests.
He pouched more victims (nine) behind the stumps than he scored more runs with the bat in his first four knocks for Parramatta’s second grade side.
But a half-century, which helped set up a seven-wicket win for Parramatta IIs over Hawkesbury, has given Ayers a timely confidence boost and got some much needed runs under his belt.
He confessed: “I only got seven runs in those four knocks and it took me longer than expected to adapt to play over here, probably the best part of two months, if I’m honest.
“Playing Grade matches over two Saturdays, you have to get used to not batting every-week. Sometimes 3 weeks without a bat. In terms of the wickets they are better to bat on in theory. Hopefully I’ve found a way now.”
Right direction
Since making 59 as Parramatta chased down Hawkesbury’s 236, Ayers has made 26 (v Sutherland), 47 against Sydney University, and 29 in last weekend’s Shield match with Fairford-Liverpool.
“My form has turned in right direction perhaps because earlier I was overthinking it a bit. I’ve gone back to basics and hitting in the V,” he explained.
“Second grade is pretty good. Sydney, apparently, is best in Australia. I think top second teams would challenge those of the Southern Premier and it seems as though we could go on a decent run in the competition this winter.”
Ayers, whose elder spin bowling brother Charlie also plays for Andover, certainly isn’t homesick or getting bored.
“I earn my pocket money coaching and doing the odd day’s work helping an electrician out. Other than that I try and train as much as I can,” he said.
“Grade cricket clubs train hard twice a week as well, so I’ve got plenty to do.
“I’ve really enjoyed exploring Sydney and it’s beaches. Thankfully, we are not in proximity to the fires that have devesated large parts of New South Wales, but there’s been plenty of smoke in the city.
“The coming month will be busy and exciting, with the Big Bash starting and Pakistan playing in the New Year Test at the SCG, so there will be plenty to do.
"But my over-riding want is to do well here. I've been given a terrific opportunity to play in a sport crazy city and I intend to make the most of it.
"I tasted a bit of county Second XI cricket with Hampshire this past season and want some more. If I can improve my all-round game while I'm in Australia, it will hold me in good stead for 2020 in England."
