Top Swan gears up for 300th

HE’S not as sprightly as he once was, but South Barwon champion Brad Hauenstein has declared himself fit for his milestone match today.

Hauenstein yesterday confirmed he had overcome a tendon problem in his knee and will line-up in his 300th first XI game in the clash against East Belmont.

“It’s recovered a lot better than last week. I was able to get through batting and bowling and I pulled up pretty well, so I’ll give it a go,” he said.

“It’s a bit sore, but I haven’t done any running for 3½ weeks, so to start up again it was a bit sore, but I’ll be right.”

Becoming the first player in the club’s history to register 300 matches in the top grade, Hauenstein admits he will reflect fondly on the milestone when his career is done.

“Right now, it’s just another game,” he said.

“I played my 300th club game a couple of years ago, so to play 300 first XI games, it’s something I’ll look back and say ‘That’s a lot of cricket’ when you play 12 games a year.

“I guess I’ve just been lucky enough to maintain a bit of fitness until now and the injuries are starting to come.”

One of the GCA’s greatest all-rounders, Hauenstein’s stats are outstanding. He has scored a club record 9639 runs at 36.93 and notched 11 tons and 65 half-centuries, with a highest score of 137.

Delivering 3879 overs with the ball, Hauenstein has snared 547 wickets at 17.07 — another club record — and grabbed 22 five-wicket hauls, with a best of 7-26.

“It’s nice to get some wickets and runs, and if you play for that long you’re going to get some figures that stack up,” a modest Hauenstein said.

Approaching his 44th birthday, Hauenstein admits his first XI career is winding up.

“I’ll play cricket somewhere, I’d love to keep playing, but it depends on how the body holds up,” he said.