Fun in the sun for Roberts

Dave Roberts

CRICKET:

SADDLEWORTH and District Cricket League player Dave Roberts is setting records on the other side of the world.

While Oldham shivers, the 26-year-old Bamford Fieldhouse batsman (pictured) is having fun under the red-hot sun of Melbourne, Australia.

Dave (26) registered the highest score for an English visitor in the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association since 1991 and shared in a new best for a lower-order partnership.

Batting at number eight, the former Uppermill player piled up a superb 144 for Stratford in a first-grade game against Boisdale-Briagolong. In so doing, he put on 218 with Joel Bristow (72 not out).

He was eventually dismissed in the second-last over of the innings.

The duo, who came together with the score on 95 for six, surpassed the previous best seventh-wicket stand of 196 set in the 1991-92 season.

It was Dave’s maiden century, and he hit six sixes and 10 fours in his 132-ball stay.

He said: “I was put low down the order because I was new to the club, so I was pretty keen to make a good impression.

“My first 50 came up in 32 balls and at tea I asked the skipper how many he wanted me to get and he joked 150, so I said OK.

“I was dropped once on 93 and I was on 99 for 10 balls.

“I felt in pretty good nick. The tracks over here are much truer and a lot harder than back home, so I could trust the bounce more and play more shots.”

Dave arrived in Australia two months ago with younger sibling Peter, who also plays for Bamford after spells with Uppermill and Saddleworth.

He originally joined Sale in second grade, but switched to Stratford after they appealed for an English player.

Peter is playing under Lancashire left-arm spinner Stephen Parry in the Sale first grade team. Parry is a Bamford team-mate and professional at Hollin Lane, and organised for the Roberts brothers to spend the winter Down Under.

Peter, who is more noted as a batsman in the Saddleworth League, has impressed with the ball and boasts best bowling figures of five for 21.

The brothers are due to return at the end of March.