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FOR Saheed Akolade, cricket is more than just a game - it’s his life.
And it has brought him to Bendigo.
Akolade last Saturday created a buzz in the Emu Valley Cricket Association when he stepped out to open the bowling for Spring Gully against United at Ewing Park.
The 21-year-old opening bowler for the Nigerian national team is in Australia to watch the ICC World Cup, and will also play the last three games of the EVCA season with the Crows.
“When I decided to come to Australia, I was thinking of the club I could join to play some games, and Spring Gully was so easy for me to choose with the way they responded to me,” Akolade said this week.
“Since being here, it has been wonderful.
“They are a lovely club and just like a family and I’m so proud to be part of the team.”
While he loves to bowl fast and see stumps flying, the impact the game of cricket has had on Akolade is much deeper than just taking wickets and scoring runs.
“When I was eight I lost my parents (illness), so cricket became my parent in a way,” Akolade said.
“Everything I’ve done and achieved is around cricket.
“I was always focused on school and cricket... whenever I was done with school I would go and play cricket. Even when there was no training, I would go and train on my own.
“Everything I’ve learned - even reading and writing - is through cricket, so it helps me a lot... it’s my life.
“This is a new experience in Australia and I want to work very hard so I can make some impact down here.”
Akolade arrived in Australia last Friday night, and word quickly spread around Bendigo that he would be lining up for the Crows against United on Saturday, with plenty of people venturing to Ewing Park to watch him unleash his thunderbolts.
Suffering from jet lag, Akolade finished with figures of 1-64 off 18 overs.
“I know the season is almost over, but I want to work hard, maybe meet up with some bowling coaches, watch the World Cup and have an impact,” Akolade said.
“I love to win... just like the Australian way.”
Akolade joining Spring Gully comes a year after he opened the bowling for Nigeria in the ICC World Cricket League division five tournament - a competition that also featured Malaysia, Tanzania, Guernsey, Cayman Islands and Jersey.
“Cricket in Nigeria isn’t that big... almost everyone plays football, so before I turned 18 I decided to see what I could do with cricket outside of Nigeria,” Akolade said.
Akolade - who will bat at No.6 on Saturday as the Crows chase United’s 268 - has spent the past three English summers playing for Mildenhall and Lakenheath, while he has also trialled for County club Essex.
During 2013 he had the opportunity to bowl to the Australian and England players in the nets ahead of the Ashes Test at Lord’s.
“They thought I was from the West Indies... they couldn’t believe we played cricket in Nigeria,” said Akolade, who is staying with Spring Gully president Damien Venville while he’s in Bendigo.
Spring Gully captain Alex Sutton said the arrival of Akolade had added some excitement to the club during what has been a tough season for the division one team.
“We had people come from everywhere watching him last week, so it has created some real excitement,” Sutton said.
“He came in on the plane last Friday night and has fitted in fantastically.
“We’re looking forward to having him at Spring Gully for the rest of the season."