A SIMPLE adherance to bowling line and length brought spectacular rewards for Port Sunlight cricketer Adam Crosby.
The 22-year-old, who has been playing for the club since he was 15, took 9-45 against Sandbach in a recent Meller Braggins Cheshire League Division Three league match. The remarkable haul - which included seven clean bowled and two caught behind - powered his team to a crucial victory, with two wickets coming in the final over.
He said: "I am just medium fast in pace, but the wicket really suited me. It was dry and hard which meant there was a bit more bounce to exploit. The captain set a really attacking field, which helped too. The batsmen were struggling to get the ball away and I was able to exploit that." As the match entered the last over of the day, Sandbach still had two wickets standing as Adam ran in.
"The second ball of the over got one of them and really charged everyone up, and then I bagged the last wicket with the second to last delivery," he recalled.
"It was an amazing moment because when I got to five I was delighted, but to get to nine is just unbelievable. My previous best was seven wickets, so it took some time for me to realise what I had done.
"I just try and get into a rhythm and put the ball in the same spot - line and length can get rewards at this level."
Despite his individual success, Adam - who works for Bromborough Paints - was quick to praise his teammates for their contribution, particularly fellow opening bowler Jim Roberts.
He said: "Jim only came into the team this year, but he has done really well. He keeps it tight at one end which allows me to attack a bit more at the other, and that has made a difference.
"The match was a good, all-round team performance and I know the captain was delighted with the win and how everyone worked hard for it.
"To me, the team is always more important than individual success."
Adam added: "I got 28 wickets last season when I think I was trying to bowl too fast. This time I have got 32 already so my target now is 50 and over."
