Bullsharks ‘buzz’ with Belston to bury battlers tag
SIMON Belston led English club Bury to glory. Now he wants to do the same for battlers Burleigh.
The Bullsharks (1-124) are in the box seat to take the competition lead if they can complete an outright rout of Loganholme (82) today.
They know bigger challenges are in store – starting with title favourites Queens next round – but believe their season-opening form is no flash in the pan.
“We’re all buzzing and as the boys are saying: ‘the Sharks are coming’,” Belston said.
“There’s a great vibe around the club and we’ve had a few new additions on and off the field and yeah, we’re going to go well.”
Belston spent an Australian summer at Palm Beach Currumbin in 2008-09 alongside future England Test paceman Mark Wood. He then moved home to start a family with wife Kim and reunite with Bury.
The club’s success over a long period of time qualified them for the premier division of the newly formed Greater Manchester Cricket League.
The Belston family made the permanent move to Australia in March after Kim was offered a job on the Coast that was simply too good to refuse.
Belston, a devoted Manchester United fan, joined the Bullsharks and was a few weeks ago asked to captain their first XI following “a couple of late changes to the ranks”.
And he admits that he likes what he’s seen so far.
“From what I can gather, Burleigh is quite a raw club still, but learning,” said the 29-year-old who opens the batting and bowls some leg-spin.
“They’re a progressive club and that’s what I bought into … it’s all about progression year-on-year and I have no doubt in my mind that this year will be a big stepping stone as to where we want to be in a couple of years’ time.
“We’ll take it one round at a time. We had a cracking weekend last weekend against Loganholme, hopefully look to finish them off (today).”
Among Burleigh’s other fresh faces are Ben Eastwell from Broadbeach Robina while Sri Lankan stars Dhanushka Mitipolarachchi and Mahesh Rajaratne are also due to arrive in the next few weeks.
The Bullsharks resume at Avid Concrete Oval today with Ed Burton (54) and Pat Yelland (1) at the crease.