PLAYING regular representative cricket is something which Adam Ryan had on his wish list for season 2018-19, so being named in the Central West Wranglers outfit for this weekend’s Regional Bash matches has him excited.
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Bathurst will host a pool of the Thunder Conference in the annual Twenty20 competition, with the Wranglers to face Orana on Saturday and Illawarra on Sunday.
It will mark the first time talented batsman Ryan has represented Western, but given he topped the Bathurst District Cricket Association’s run scorers’ list last season with 553 – which included 51 boundaries and 13 sixes – it’s a spot he’s earned.
It comes after he vice-captained the Bathurst opens against Dubbo last Sunday, top scoring for his side with 27.
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“I’ve worked very hard to see what I could do this year and I was told that the form I showed at the end of last year [season] it sort of helped me get into this side. I’m keen to grab that opportunity and play well,” Ryan, who plays his club cricket for St Pat’s Old Boys, said.
“I’ve played for Western in other sports before, but not cricket. So I’m very excited about it.
“It’s a really good challenge I’m looking forward too. It was really good even last weekend, I’ve never been in a Bathurst side at the beginning of a season.
“My club form last weekend wasn’t that good, but I was happy to put a few together for Bathurst against some quality bowlers. It gives me confidence coming into this because I’ll probably be facing some of them again.”
Though it was in two-day cricket that Ryan really shone last season, his efforts including a century against Centennials Bulls, he feels the T20 format is one which suits him.
“I really enjoy that type of format, it’s a little bit how I used to play. I used to like just hitting the ball hard and trying to score off every ball, but I’ve had to change my game in the longer format to not do that because it was getting me out too often,” he said.
“But I do really like that format, I like how it’s pressure on from the beginning. On the other side if it’s a tough game and you’re getting a flogging, it only lasts for 20 overs then you get to go again.
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“That’s the beautiful part about it, it allows you to test yourself. I have been trying to build a solid base so I can verse the best players in New South Wales Country cricket, it’s great to get the chance to test yourself and see where you can improve.
“Anything can happen in T20 games, you can go form hero to zero in one ball, but I’m looking forward to it.”
The Wranglers’ first match will be 2pm Saturday at the Sportsground against Orana.
