If Noah Latimer was feeling any pressure ahead of his debut for the Bond University Cricket Club at next week’s UniSport T20 Games, a recent meeting with Vice Chancellor Tim Brailsford may have added to the jitters.
And the first year Sport and Exercise Science student isn’t the only one feeling the weight of expectation – fellow newcomer Subba Reddy Bellam has been likened to Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah by his teammates, and will be the Bull Sharks main strike weapon on the five-day event on the Sunshine Coast.
Latimer, a South Australian allrounder and recipient of the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship, knows full well that a good performance might earn a smile from the University’s cricket-loving boss – but a quiet outing might best be brushed over.
“He loves his cricket,” he said of the Vice Chancellor.
“He’s shown me around his office where he’s got a heap of Usman Khawaja’s gear and we have discussed the game a bit, things like the Bairstow stumping and how the Aussies are going right now, so that has been great.
“So hopefully I go well and he hears about it, but if I don’t maybe we’ll just skip over that.”
Sports lovers always have a slight advantage when settling into a new city.
Joining a club is the fastest way to gain an immediate friend group and when Latimer saw the notification calling for interested players to trial for the Bond T20 team, he didn’t hesitate.
And he found an early ally in team captain Harry Worthley, another Adelaide product who’s helped him settle into the side.
“When I saw the UniSport notification come through I clicked yes straight away,” he said.
“It’s a great way to make mates in a new place, Harry is a South Australian and that’s been great and all the boys have been very welcoming.
“I was really fortunate to receive the Vice Chancellor’s scholarship to come up here and Bond is already proving to be a great uni where you can study but also make great mates and have a good experiences like getting to play cricket.’’
Latimer played district-level grade cricket for Adelaide University and for his school’s First XI at St Peters College. He’s an allrounder who hopes to make his mark with the bat and ball on the Sunshine Coast but admits he hasn’t exactly been finding the middle of his bat in the net session he’s had with his new teammates.
“I’ve been playing indoor all winter so my bowling feels alright,” he said.
“My batting has been a bit scratchy, but hopefully next week I get the chance to do both – that’d be ideal.”
Yuvraj Johal, a Bond business student, and member of the university’s inaugural T20 side last year, is excited by another new arrival Subba Reddy Bellam.
“He’s something I haven’t seen before – he swings it both ways and has this different action… he’s almost like Bumrah,” he said.
“I think we are going to go well, last year was tough – we were in a strong pool and didn’t know each other well. This year, we’ve had more time, the pool is a little more manageable, and we’ve got some good additions.”
Johal believes the team’s improved chemistry and individual form – including players who performed strongly for Bond University in the local club comp – should give the Bull Sharks a real shot across the four-day tournament.
“Aadit (Kevolkar) is another one I’m looking forward to watching,” he said.
“He didn’t go that well last year at Uni Games, but he’s shown what he can do for Bond during the club season. I reckon he’ll make his mark this time.”
The UniSport T20 Games begin Monday, with Bond to play four matches and a final across five days on the Sunshine Coast.