It was a performance to make the Maitland cricket fraternity sit up and take notice – 86 runs from 39 balls in the John Bull Shield demolition of Singleton.
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The player concerned was all-rounder Daniel Upward who joined Raymond Terrace this season.
As he’s only new on the Maitland scene we went to his skipper Steve Smith for his thoughts.
“A top player,” Smith said. “He’s a big unit… maybe six-foot three.
“He can really give them a whack, but he can also knuckle down if that’s what’s needed.
“He’s also a very good opening bowler. He’s coming back from an elbow injury and isn’t at top pace yet, but when he does he’ll be as quick as anyone.
“He hits the seam and can nip them about.
“He’s a seriously good acquisition.”
With opening bowler Nick Savage – one of the competition’s best pacemen – out with a knee injury, Upward will need to play a key role.
Another new player for Terrace is opening batsman Lee Osmond who joined them from Stockton.
The side will look to him to get a start in their big run chase of 303 against Kurri on Saturday.
“It’s a big ask,” Smith said. “We’ve had a lot of changes since last season and are still learning to play with each other, but if we can bat the 80 overs we’re not without a chance, although I’d rather be in Kurri’s position.”
The heavy outfield will only make the job harder.
“Council has top dressed the ground and it has been really slow all season, but it’s getting better,” Smith said.
“We won there the other week and didn’t get close to hitting a boundary all day.”
Norths, still not quite at full strength, face similar problems on Saturday – a big ground at Lorn and a formidable run chase of 289 against the high flying City United.
You wouldn’t write Norths off, but they will need to get a good start – and someone is going to have to make a big score.
If there’s pressure on the Terrace and Norths batting lineups, then the heat is doubly intense on Port Stephens and Easts in the other two games.
After disappointing efforts last weekend, both sides are in real danger of outright defeat.
The Port Pythons were all out for just 92 against Thornton last weekend, who grabbed first innings points when they raced to 4-157 at stumps.
Port’s batsmen have struggled so far.
Their highest total so far is 169, with other scores of 114, 90 and 92.
To be looking down the barrel of a 65-run deficit already will certainly test them.