Neil Saker made an impressive debut for his new Sydney club, Blacktown at the weekend after just stepping off the plane last Wednesday.

Saker was thrown straight into action and bowled nearly a third of this team’s 93 overs on a scorching hot day in Sydney’s west.
Saker in action for Surrey However, the 21 year old, still fighting the effects of jet lag and the hot conditions still managed to make an impact and took 2-50 from his 24 overs, helping restrict UTS Balmain to 213.

Blacktown secretary, Dennis Douglas was elated with his team’s new boy and at the completion of Saturday’s play said, “Neil was terrific for us so soon after arriving. He is impressive on the field and is a well-mannered and likeable young man off it. He is fitting in already.”

This is not Saker’s first experience on the Sydney grade scene either. In the winter of 2003/04, Saker played at Randwick-Petersham, where fellow pace bowler Jade Dernbach and Arun Harinath are currently playing. Saker was their second overseas player, the other being Gloucestershire’s Jon Lewis.

Tim Murtagh also looked the part on Saturday after a five over spell that yielded five straight maidens. Murtagh’s Eastern Suburbs side that boasted Australian back up wicket-keeper Brad Haddin made 252 and in reply Manly had reached 12-0. Haddin made an explosive 131 which included five sixes while Murtagh finished with the very economical figures of 0-0.

Former Surrey Academy representative, Arun Harinath was also hard at work at the weekend and he continued on with his excellent run of form with the bat. Opening the batting in second grade, Harinath again showed his worth at the top of the order making another valuable contribution of 59 that included a century partnership with fellow opener, Matthew Taylor. His side made 296 and Hawkesbury in reply have already lost a wicket and are 22-1 in reply.

Murtagh bowled five straight maidens on Saturday

Each Sydney club are allowed three overseas players on their books and these can be used in any of the five grade teams, with the proviso that only one of these can be in the first grade side at any one time. This rule is certainly hindering Harinath as he has been really consistent in the Randwick-Petersham seconds and deserves a chance in first grade. In his four innings with this team, he has totalled 197 runs at an average of 49.25.

Dernbach had little to do in his team’s total of 237-8 against Hawkesbury on Saturday. Should the Randy-Petes decide to bat on next week, Dernbach is due to come in next, however the likely option will be to declare and try and get at the Hawkesbury top order immediately. Unfortunately due to visa problems, Dernbach will be forced to leave Australia on 19 December and head back to the UK.

Add to Del.icio.us Digg it share on Facebook (What is this?)

• Listen
• Watch