Eaglehawk's Cam McGlashan.
EAGLEHAWK teenager Cameron McGlashan announced himself as a player of the future in the Bendigo District Cricket Association with his breakthrough game against Bendigo United last round.
McGlashan is only 18, but played with maturity beyond his years as he dominated with both bat and ball in the Hawks’ win over the Redbacks at Harry Trott Oval.
It was a game of firsts for McGlashan, who scored his first half-century in the first XI, and also took his first bag of five wickets.
On day one McGlashan found himself arriving at the crease with the Hawks – needing to win to shore up a finals berth – on the ropes at 3-17.
But rather than be daunted by the precarious situation, McGlashan revelled in it, peeling off 91 off 244 balls (seven fours, one six) and helping the Hawks reach 8-274.
“It suited me on that first day because I’m not the quickest batsman, so I got to spend a fair bit of time at the crease,” McGlashan said yesterday.
“And I had a fair bit of experience down the other end, which helped me get through it.
“I’ll take a heap of confidence out of that innings, knowing that I can now do it and help the team.
“And when everyone in the team is behind you as well, that makes it good.”
After his heroics with the bat on day one, McGlashan then delivered with the ball last Saturday.
McGlashan claimed 5-37 off 16 overs, with his wickets including Redbacks’ openers Matt Pinniger (11) and Curtis Tuohey (9).
He later dismissed Bendigo United captain Leigh McDermott (50) that sparked a Redbacks collapse in which they lost 7-30 to be bowled out for 161.
“I got a bit lucky... there were a few good catches taken,” said McGlashan, who was on a hat-trick during the game.
Eaglehawk coach David Rosaia said McGlashan’s performance against the Redbacks was a sign of things to come in the future for the talented all-rounder.
“It was an absolutely fantastic performance, and he came within nine runs of being in an elite class of players who have made a century and taken five wickets in the same game,” Rosaia said.
“When he came in on that first day we were 3-17, but he batted through until the 81st over and got us to that score of 274.
“And last week he bowled beautifully. He didn’t bowl fast, just like and length and kept putting the ball in the right spot and with great control.
“I think he’s going to be one of the leading all-rounders in the BDCA over the next five to 10 years.”
Highlighting the promise McGlashan is showing, he was a member of the BDCA’s Melbourne Country Week squad that contested last week’s carnival.
While he didn’t bowl last week, he averaged 20 with the bat in his three hits.
“That was a fantastic experience down in Melbourne,” McGlashan said.
“The standard of cricket was so much higher, and when you get to play with blokes like Cameron Taylor, who have played down in Melbourne, you learn so much.
“The bunch of blokes who went down there were all great.”
The BDCA finished third at Melbourne last week, missing a berth in the final by five runs.
The Provincial Group title was won by Mornington-Peninsula against Sale-Maffra.
