JUST when you think there’s nothing left for Adam Burns to achieve in his cricket career, along comes one of the most special days he has experienced at Kangaroo Flat.
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For most players in the BDCA last Saturday was a frustrating day of rain delays, but it was a memorable one for Burns and his son, Riley.
The father-son duo played their first games together for Kangaroo Flat in the first XI against Bendigo United at Harry Trott Oval.
Burns Snr has won two premierships with the Roos, three BDCA Cricketer of the Year awards, and is regarded as one of the modern day greats through a career that this season ticked over 200 first XI games and features more than 470 wickets and 4500 runs.
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And now he’s proud to add playing first XI alongside his son to his accomplishments.
“It was a great experience last week. Riley has loved his cricket since he could walk, so to be able to play in the same A grade team as him is pretty special,” Burns said on Thursday.
“We’ve got three good waves of young players coming through at the club.
“We’ve got the 20-24 year-olds, the 18 to 20-year-olds, and then back to the 16-year-olds of which Riley falls into, but it’s probably a bit different with him being my young fella.”
Riley – who earlier in the season smashed 200 in an under-16A game – earned a call-up into the Roos’ first XI team following the unavailability of wicket-keeper Nathan Stubbings.
Taking the gloves behind the stumps, Riley, 16, didn’t have to wait long to get his first statistic in the first XI.
His first touch of the ball was an edge off Bendigo United opener Nick Williamson (0) off the bowling of Roos’ captain Brent Hamblin (4-27).
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That was the first of three catches Riley ended the day with, although, there were no caught Burns, bowled Burns dismissals on the scorecard.
“Riley wasn’t a wicket-keeper before last season, but there was an opportunity in the seconds and he has progressed well since he has taken the gloves,” Burns said.
The Roos are well on top of the Redbacks after day one of their round six clash.
Despite only bowling 42 overs, that was enough for the Roos to take nine wickets as Bendigo United ended last Saturday on the ropes at 9-85.
“It was good to make the most of the conditions and have a team in that position,” said Burns, who took 2-21 off 12 overs.
“When you get into the middle-order seven balls into the day it gives you a chance to really open the game up.”
The Redbacks were already 3-5 after just 1.1 overs, with one of the wickets a bizarre dismissal as Mark Di Fede was caught by Jake Klemm when the ball lodged in the grill of Klemm’s helmet while he was fielding at short leg.
