Strewth! You guys really do make the grade
Grant Thistle believes the Southern Electric Premier league is every bit as good as Australian grade cricket.
Havant's overseas player for the season has cut his teeth at Bayswater-Morley, who ply their trade in Western Australia Cricket Association's grade cricket.
Grade cricket has traditionally been the breeding ground for Australia's Test stars – while many of the internationals will return to their original clubs when they quit the top level of the sport.
The Sheffield Shield is the Australian equivalent of domestic county cricket, but Thistle believes that Havant – and some of the other leading sides in division one – would not look out of place in a WACA grade clash.
Thistle said: 'The standard here is pretty similar to back home, so it's pretty good and it gives me good experience playing against different styles and on different pitches.
'In grade cricket back home, you get a lot of first-class players who drop down and that brings the standard up.
'But a lot of the sides I've played here could compete quite easily with the sides back home. I certainly haven't found it easy.
'I've really enjoyed myself so far – it's been great. There are a great bunch of lads here, it's a good standard of cricket and I can't complain about anything whatsoever.'
The all-rounder, who has followed in brother Mike's footsteps who played a season for Havant in 2005, got off to a tricky start to his career when he pulled a hamstring in only his second appearance.
But he has since made a speedy recovery to amass 226 runs at an impressive average of 56.50, and has also picked up six useful wickets as a part-time bowler.
Thistle said: 'Things have been coming along nicely with the bat and ball so I'm happy with that.
'Getting injured wasn't exactly the best way to get my Havant career going.
'The other players all told me about the Havant curse where the overseas player gets injured and they weren't lying!
'Luckily, mine only lasted a week or two. I came back and just played as a batsman so I didn't put too much pressure on it, but it's been fine since.'
And aside from sibling rivalry, Thistle knows there is pressure on his shoulders as Havant go for a third successive division one crown this season.
He said: 'Michael loved it over here and he recommended me to do the same thing, so I jumped at the chance when it came along.
'There's a pretty friendly rivalry between us, but he's been checking up on me to see how I've been getting on.
'There is a lot to live up to for me this season, though.
'Havant have won the title for two years on the bounce, but if we keep going the way we are, then we will see where we are at the end of the season. I see no reason why we can't do it again.'
Havant host Alton tomorrow, with just one change to the side who were held to a winning draw by Andover last weekend.
Steve Dean returns so Dexter Small drops back down to the seconds.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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