Gatting in no rush to rejoin the first-class treadmill
HE MAY be racking up the runs in the East Anglian Premier League, but Swardeston’s Joe Gatting insists that his excellent season is not his way of proving that he belongs in county cricket.
The middle-order batsman was released by Hampshire at the end of last season after two years at the Ageas Bowl, despite topping their 2015 first-class batting averages with 46.66 – albeit from just four matches.
And while Gatting, who also spent four years with Sussex, was more than disappointed with his departure from cricket’s elite, the 28-year-old is instead putting the love of the game first for the time being.
“It [getting back into county cricket] is not on my immediate agenda,” said Gatting. “I feel that I’m always good enough to play at that level.
“My last year at Hampshire I felt I’d turned a corner. I felt really comfortable and that I belonged, so it was a bit of a knock not to be there anymore and it’s now up to me to keep enjoying my cricket, which I am.
“I’ve got plenty of runs which I expected of myself, and chipped in with a fair few wickets as well which has been a bonus.
“I’ve always enjoyed bowling and I had a knack of taking wickets in the second XI at county level, but I wasn’t quite consistent enough to be a regular firstteam bowler.
“I know in league cricket that I can be quite effective, I have a bit of a golden arm with wickets out of nowhere.”
Despite his contentment, Gatting admits that it would be an inevitable bonus if his strong performances were to grab the attentions of those on the professional circuit.
It’s a hope which is certainly heading in the right direction. Before scoring an unbeaten century to help Swardeston to the Norfolk 60-over final, Gatting, nephew of former England captain Mike, delivered one of the best individual performances that the league has witnessed.
With his side – champions for the past four seasons – languishing at 22-7 against Sudbury, the batsman blitzed 118 off 56 balls, helping them to a still under-par 161 that they managed to defend by just four runs a fortnight ago.
It was a win that helped Swardeston relaunch their title defence – with Gatting, averaging more than 50 this season, heralding it as one of the best innings of his career.
“It was a huge result – being seven down we needed something, so I chanced my arm and thought that if we could get something to defend we’d be in with an opportunity,” he added.
“Fortunately it paid off, and it’s probably one of the best victories I’ve ever been involved in.
“They collapsed from 115-3 to 157 all out too, the bowlers bowled exceptionally – it was a good wicket after lunch but we put in a stunning second half of the game to win it.
“It’s nice to do a good job for the team, as long as we win then I don’t really mind, but it’s always encouraging to put in a performance for the guys.
“This year has been a wet summer and that’s made it bowler-friendly, so hopefully if it keeps being sunny then it will even up.
“It’d be nice if the wickets got easier; I’ve had a bit of luck so far, but when I’ve got in I’ve made the most of it.”