Tigers find trump card
Ace recruit’s on fire
TORQUAY has pulled a timely ace from its sleeve as the finals draw near.
The Tigers may be well placed among the top sides in GCA2 with seven wins from 10 matches, but an X-factor has just arrived on their doorstep.
Aggressive opening batsmen Sam Giblett, renowned in Ballarat for his matchwinning hitting, made his first appearance for the Torquay firsts at the weekend, creating quite an impression.
In pursuit of 84 set by Manifold Heights, Giblett scored 87 of his own in quick fashion to give the Tigers a stranglehold on the match.
The fine innings followed a blistering knock of 180 in the thirds three weeks ago.
Torquay coach Andrew Murden was extremely pleased to have a player of Giblett’s ilk come to the club.
“He plays his shots, he’s not worried about getting himself in, if it’s a bad ball he’ll hit it, if it’s a good ball he’ll play it back,” Murden said.
“He’s a smart cricketer as well as being an aggressive batsman. If he comes off he’s definitely got the ability to turn a game or break the hearts of another team, especially being an opening batsman.
“If he can do what he did on Saturday on a regular basis he’ll be a bit of a weapon.
“He has a pretty simple approach to it: he’s got a good eye (so) if it’s a bad ball he hits it. He’s not fussed if it’s the first ball of the day or the last ball of the day.”
Batting has been an area of inconsistency for the Tigers throughout the season, making the addition of Giblett all the more valuable.
Giblett is new to the Torquay area, having played for Brown Hill in Ballarat.
He last played first grade cricket in the 2011-12 season where he averaged 40.7 with the bat.
Most recently he plied his trade in the Twenty20 format last season, again flourishing with an average of 47.2.
After originally contacting the club with regards to playing football, the right-hand batsman was keen to return to the cricket field and has wasted no time rediscovering his brilliant form.
And while the club’s premiership hopes were rocked by the sudden departure of express fast bowler Callum Harding, hopes have been rejuvenated by the emergence of Giblett.