A CHESTER cricketer is dreaming of winning a county contract after achieving the incredible feat of scoring four centuries in just nine days.
Warren Goodwin hit three tons for his club, Chester Boughton Hall, and another for Lancashire, who are giving the talented 23-year-old an extended trial.
But the Red Rose outfit face competition for Goodwin as Warwickshire and Worcestershire are also thought to be interested in the 2009 Cheshire County League Premier Division player of the year.
“I’ve never been in form like it,” said Goodwin, who has put a career in accountancy on hold to pursue his ambition of playing first-class cricket.
“I’d been really struggling for form but it took just one knock to get things going and everything seems to have gone my way over the last week or so for Boughton Hall and Lancashire.”
He added: “It’s a lot of fun at Lancashire. There is pressure to perform but I’m really enjoying it as it’s a great chance to test myself at a higher level. Now my aim is to get something from it.”
South Africa-born Goodwin’s wonderful run began when he scored 117 in Boughton Hall’s County League encounter at Bramhall on July 24.
The opening batsman, who joined the Filkins Lane club after moving to Chester aged 11, followed up with a maiden century (106) for Lancashire 2nds against Glamorgan 2nds at Panteg before smashing 118 in Hall’s win at Oxton last Saturday.
But Goodwin, who is also a handy seam bowler, saved his best until last as his breathtaking 125no at Irby on Sunday saw Hall through to this weekend’s County League Twenty20 finals day.
The Cheshire player was also in the runs this week, firing 55 for Lancashire 2nds on the first day of their Roses clash with Yorkshire 2nds at Crosby, the match in which Andrew Flintoff was supposed to make his comeback.
Freddie’s injury problems denied Goodwin the chance to play alongside the England hero, but Hall chairman Jim Law believes it won’t be long before the former Birkenhead School student will take his place among the first-class elite.
Law said: “Warren has always stood out but he has really come on this season. His batting has got more relaxed and while he remains an elegant stroke-maker, he has become more aggressive and is now really punishing bad bowling.”
The Cheshire County League Twenty20 finals day take place at Chester Boughton Hall’s Filkins Lane on Sunday.
The semi-finals get under way at noon, with hosts Hall facing holders Oulton Park and Didsbury taking on Alderley Edge. The final is scheduled for 3.50pm.
