BENDIGO United’s Heath Behrens says he is proud of his achievement in becoming the all-time highest run-scorer in the Bendigo District Cricket Association, but all he is focused on is his next ball.
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Behrens broke Leon Grose’s record for the most BDCA runs last Saturday against Kangaroo Flat at Harry Trott Oval.
With his knock of 42, Behrens took his career tally of runs to 10,426, surpassing the late Grose’s previous record of 10,417 made for Bendigo United, White Hills and Sandhurst.
Behrens now has the full set of BDCA batting records.
As well as having made the most runs, the 36-year-old left-hander, who debuted in 1994-95, has made the most centuries (25) and holds the record for the highest score (249 n.o.).
“There has been a few hours spent out in the sun and a long journey where a few personal accolades and awards have come along, but you never sit down and look at them until you’re finished,” Behrens said on Wednesday.
“The runs record is obviously something I’m proud of, but I’ve never been one to worry about anything other than the next ball in a game, rather than what’s happened in the past.”
Behrens’ first three seasons in the first XI with the Redbacks coincided with the last three seasons of Grose’s 36-year BDCA career.
“That was a long time ago. Probably what I remember about playing against Leon was him bowling to me in a game out at White Hills,” Behrens said.
“I think he was bowling off-spin and he had a real aura about him because all of my team-mates were saying how good of a player he is.
“I was a bit of a rabbit in the headlights facing him... he was a player who not only did it with the bat, but was also very handy with the ball.”
Apart from Behrens and Grose, the only other player to have made more than 10,000 BDCA runs is Wayne Walsh (10,068).
• Behrens’ season-by-season runs: 210, 77, 172, 194, 552, 528, 502, 752, 910, 572, 474, 746, 832, 287, 636, 565, 536, 445, 731, 338, 367*.
