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When it comes to cricketing rivalries they don’t get much fiercer than England and Australia, but after hitting back-to-back centuries on the weekend, Bathurst teenager Callum Hotham revealed men from the old dart aided his cause.
Playing for City Colts in the Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade competition on Saturday, Hotham dominated the St Pat’s Old Boys bowling attack as he belted 123 runs.
That knock featured 12 fours and seven sixes.
On Sunday, Hotham returned to the crease as the skipper of the Bathurst under 19s representative side which faced Orange in the Mitchell Cricket Council colts competition.
Though Orange won that match, Hotham hit 125 batting at number three. This time his innings featured 15 boundaries and two shots that sailed over the ropes.
It was a good reward for a young talent who has worked hard on his game, including a stint away from his family playing first grade with English amateur club Glastonbury.
“I learned a lot in England. I got too many 50s last year and didn’t go on with it, but I learned from players over there,” Hotham said.
“I spoke to a lot of ex-county players and ex-England players and they really taught me how to concentrate for long periods of time.
“Obviously when I was in England without my family it was tough, but to come back here now and do that [hit two centuries] with them watching was great. They watch every game I play here, they are my number one supporters.”
With City Colts heading into Saturday’s round seven match without a completed game to their credit, they probably would have expected to take some time to get their eye in at Loco Oval.
But that was not the case for Hotham.
Opening the batting alongside Henry Shoemark, the talented teenager got off the mark with a six, and from there did not look back.
“I hadn’t played much cricket and I hadn’t been to training at all either because of the rain, so I guess I just wanted to go out there and be positive and have a bit of luck,” he said. “It was actually quite a confidence boost to get off the mark with a six. I hadn’t played for a long time, so to go out and do that was great. It was a half-tracker and I just hooked it.
“Everything just fell into place for me, everything felt good. I guess it was just one of those days when you are lucky, when you go out and everything just happens. Everywhere I wanted the ball to be it was, it was a special day.”
Hotham and Shoemark – who hit 112 – put on 218 for the first wicket, an effort which set up a 59-run win for Colts.
It was the second century Hotham has scored in first grade, adding to his 106 not out on debut against Rugby Union in January 2013. That he shared the moment with good friend Shoemark made it extra special.
“It was nice to go on with it, the first time I hit 106 not out, I think my knock this time had a couple more hacks over cow corner,” he laughed.
“I’ve played with Henry ever since I was a kid, so it was great to be at the other end to watch him. It was great fun.”
Hotham, who was dropped on 100, finally fell when he backed away and attempted to edge the ball over cover. Instead he got an edge and was caught behind.
On a high, but feeling sore from that effort, on Sunday Hotham made the trip to Orange with the Bathurst colts side.
This time he batted at first drop and came in at 1-4. Another wicket fell soon after to make it 2-29, but Hotham and Jeremy Judge (41) then settled in and put on 140 for the third wicket.
The pair worked hard for their runs, forcing back the Orange fielders then picking off the ones and twos. Though Orange went on to win by two wickets and Hotham ended up with a extremely bruised big toe, it was another special afternoon for him.
“I just went out there and didn’t think too much. It was my first time as captain and I wanted to score runs and make an impression,” he said.
“It was not an easy wicket to bat on, but I dug it out. I was pretty exhausted by the end, but I knew I could do it because of what I did the day before. I didn’t want to throw my wicket away.”
Hotham will now take a fortnight off as he heads to Queensland for a holiday, but when he returns for City Colts he will, no doubt, be a key figure in their batting line-up.