THE eagerly-awaited Ashes series between England and Australia starts at Lord’s on Wednesday but an Aussie has already been making his mark in north cricket this season.
Since arriving in this country Hew Gerrard, a planning officer for Moray council, has been taking regular wickets for Elgin, with a best of three for 37 in the win over Forres St Lawrence.
Gerrard, 24, who is unavailable for this weekend’s tricky trip to Keith, hopes to take many more wickets before the end of the season.
Gerrard said: “I come from Melbourne and I’m a medium-fast bowler. I had previously worked in England before returning to Australia for last summer. When I came back I managed to get a job in Moray as a planning officer.
“I am really enjoying my time here and the North League is good fun, although I did take a little time to get used to the synthetic wickets many of the clubs play on here. That was something I had never encountered back home.
“On a synthetic track the ball bounces more, so you have to bowl a fuller length but I am getting there. Hopefully, I can pick up many more wickets before the season ends.
“The weather conditions are a lot cooler than I am used to but I am acclimatising.”
Looking ahead to the Ashes series, Gerrard said: “I think Australia will win 3-0 with one being a washout and the other a draw – basically, a whitewash.
“I don’t think England’s Andrew Flintoff is fit enough to play and once we get past Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Bopara it should be pretty much plain sailing.”
Elsewhere tomorrow, Buckie play host to Forres St Lawrence, champions RAF Lossiemouth make the trip to Lochaber to meet Fort William, while undefeated Highland and Ross County clash in a derby.
Fochabers will look to get back to winning ways at RAF Kinloss, while Nairn County entertain Huntly.