Bridgens sets sights on joining the country set
FOR THREE years, South African Rhett Bridgens has dominated both the batting and bowling averages in Lincolnshire – now he is determined for those numbers to propel him on to a stint in county cricket.
The Nettleham all-rounder took six wickets in his side’s draw with Louth, another star showing for a man averaging 12.61 with the ball from 88 league matches to date.
And for the 23-year-old, that is far from the end of his capabilities. Amassing 19 half-centuries and eight tons already in just two-anda-half years, Bridgens is just 31 runs away from 3,000 in Nettleham league matches, holding an average considerably higher than 50.
While the first two seasons’ figures came in the Lincolnshire second tier, Bridgens and Nettleham have made the step to Premier League cricket this term.
And the man who has also experienced club cricket in Scotland and Crawley modestly believes that all he’s doing is fulfilling his job description.
“It’s what I came over here to do – as an all-rounder, you have those expectations of runs and wickets, it’s my job and I’ve been doing that,” said Bridgens, who is set to play premier grade cricket for Walkerville, Adelaide, come the end of the season.
“The first couple of seasons were in a division probably below my standard, but to produce in a Premier League is very pleasing, I hope it can help me play at a higher level.
“If the chance comes I’d move over to England in a heartbeat. In South Africa, the opportunities aren’t as available, so if I could make a career here in county cricket I’d grab it with both hands.”
Stepping up the ladder has been a tough task for Nettleham, as they are rooted to the Premier League’s last place with time in the season rapidly running out.
But for Bridgens, a chance to play in England has been a dream experience, making his time in South African club cricket a far distant memory.
“There is such a high number of cricketers around that you have to perform for a number of seasons before you can be considered,” he added.
“The organisation in England is second to none, it’s pretty much a shambles in South Africa, so to come here where it’s taken so seriously makes you feel professional.
“It reflects in your performances – I took 11 five-wicket hauls in my first year which was incredible.”
Elsewhere in the country, Wellingborough are also in danger in Northants after a 12th defeat of the season, while Leicester Ivanhoe captain Lee Hunt hit a last-ball four as his side leapfrogged the now-bottom Hinckley Town in Leicestershire.
In Nottinghamshire, Australian Trent Lawford’s 7-51 maintained Cuckney’s top spot, but Bacup and Rishton starred at the other end in Lancashire, with the two bottom sides both snatching victories.
Birmingham & District league saw West Bromwich Dartmouth put some distance between them and relegation with a 15-run win over Wolverhampton – despite being bowled out for 122.
In Yorkshire South, Wakefield Thornes continued their march towards the league title with a comfortable victory over Barnsley.
Elsewhere, there were runs galore for Horsham in Sussex as Michael Thornely (151) and county man Will Beer helped amass 258-2, while Bishop’s Stortford’s 363-4 helped them down Harpenden by 245 runs thanks to Reece Hussain’s 122 in Hertfordshire.
Leaders St Just were beaten for only the second time this season, going down by five wickets at St Austell in Cornwall, but Liam Lewis hit 91 to help Devon leaders Sidmouth to a comprehensive 126-run win over Plymouth to remain clear at the summit.
And Jeremy Bulled’s knock of 114 helped leaders Havant to a 22-run over St Cross Symondians in Southern.