STRIPPED BACK AND FIRED UP
IN an era of technology, data and modernisation in sport, Barwon Heads opener Lewis Hyland isn’t following the trend.
Hyland has stripped back his training due to work commitments, relying on a Friday night ball-machine session or a Saturday morning throwdown as his only form of preparation.
The results have spoken for themselves — an average of 55.60, a highest score of 84 not out, no score below 30 and third in the league for runs scored this season.
“I don’t know whether it’s helped because I’m not overthinking how I’m playing, but I’m certainly doing a lot less, which in theory doesn’t sound right,” Hyland said.
“I’ve been doing a lot less batting than I would have in previous years.
“I haven’t really been thinking much about (cricket) because I’ve been switching off during the week, not needing to think about cricket training.”
Hyland moved to the opening spot two seasons ago and was a self-described “slogger” when he began.
He made the move to the top order in a game in 2016-17 to curb a Jan Juc outright attempt on a day where Jan Juc captain Ben Grinter had taken a hattrick, with Barwon Heads on the brink of a devastating loss.
“I think I got 60 off not many balls just playing my shots and that got me into a bit of form because I’d made about 70 runs (altogether) before Christmas,” Hyland said.
Since then he’s averaged 39 and 29 in his past two full seasons and it seems this season he has found the perfect balance between ball striking and leaving.
“I became an attacking opening batsman and got away with it a few times but also looked stupid a few times,” he said.
“I still like to play my shots but I’ve also found a bit of temperament to let the ball go a bit earlier than I have in previous years.”
Hyland looms as a pivotal player when Barwon Heads faces Anglesea in this weekend’s two dayer.
The carefree nature of his batting will continue with the hope consistent runs will follow, and the in-form batsman isn’t worried about the prospect of facing Anglesea quick Dale Kerr.
“I kind of enjoy pace coming on — Dale is probably a little quicker than comfortable,” he said.“The teams with not-as-quick bowlers are the ones that have troubled me over the last couple of years where I’ve had to create the pace.”