Luke Evans celebrates his fifth wicket [Roy Honeybone pictures]
The five wickets Luke Evans took to underpin St Patrick's victory on the opening day of the Australian club season will probably mean more to the former South Wilts paceman than any other bowling return he's achieved in the past or will at any other time in the future.
The 26- year old right-arm quick, who started his cricket career with Cadnam in the New Forest, has just begun his fifth season in the Cricket Albury-Wodonga competition, close to the New South Wales/Victoria state border, having emigrated to Australia in 2019, the season after he had been named Southern Premier League Young Cricketer of the Year.
It was the first time Evans had played since his life - and that of his partner Lucy - was cruelly turned upside down by the sudden death of the couple's one-year old daughter Rosie in August - a tragedy which rocked the St Patrick's club to its foundations.
How fitting then that Evans should produce a match winning performance with the ball on what was understandably an emotionally charged round one match against Baranduda.
Evans took 5-26, clean bowling three victims and having two more caught, as their newly promoted opponents were whipped out for 101 after St Patrick's had posted 194-4.
"I was really pleased for Evo to have a bit of a day with the ball. For him to take five wickets and essentially win the game for us with some of his UK family here was really fitting," said Liam Scammell, St Patrick's player/coach.
"We love him and are really pleased for him. He deserved his five wickets."
Both teams had observed a minute's silence before the start of the 50-over match, with the St Patrick's side wearing pink armbands in memory of Rosie.
Watching on were Luke's grandparents Roy and Bernadette, who have just returned to their Woolston home after spending six weeks in Australia.
In a touchline comment, Roy Honeybone said: "Luke and Lucy are so grateful for the kindness, compassion and generosity shown by the cricket community, both in Albury and back in Hampshire.
"Their messages of condolence and thoughtful donations helped them through difficult times and enabled local family members, including myself and Dette, to travel out to Australia at such a difficult time."
The 26- year old right-arm quick, who started his cricket career with Cadnam in the New Forest, has just begun his fifth season in the Cricket Albury-Wodonga competition, close to the New South Wales/Victoria state border, having emigrated to Australia in 2019, the season after he had been named Southern Premier League Young Cricketer of the Year.
It was the first time Evans had played since his life - and that of his partner Lucy - was cruelly turned upside down by the sudden death of the couple's one-year old daughter Rosie in August - a tragedy which rocked the St Patrick's club to its foundations.
How fitting then that Evans should produce a match winning performance with the ball on what was understandably an emotionally charged round one match against Baranduda.
Evans took 5-26, clean bowling three victims and having two more caught, as their newly promoted opponents were whipped out for 101 after St Patrick's had posted 194-4.
"I was really pleased for Evo to have a bit of a day with the ball. For him to take five wickets and essentially win the game for us with some of his UK family here was really fitting," said Liam Scammell, St Patrick's player/coach.
"We love him and are really pleased for him. He deserved his five wickets."
Both teams had observed a minute's silence before the start of the 50-over match, with the St Patrick's side wearing pink armbands in memory of Rosie.
Watching on were Luke's grandparents Roy and Bernadette, who have just returned to their Woolston home after spending six weeks in Australia.
In a touchline comment, Roy Honeybone said: "Luke and Lucy are so grateful for the kindness, compassion and generosity shown by the cricket community, both in Albury and back in Hampshire.
"Their messages of condolence and thoughtful donations helped them through difficult times and enabled local family members, including myself and Dette, to travel out to Australia at such a difficult time."
Five wicket haul complete ...
