Altona Sports Cricket Club’s Tom Harrison joined some of the legends of the club as he claimed his 300th wicket on Saturday.
Sports vice-captain, Harrison is now just one of five players to take that many wickets for the club.
Even though he was approaching that number, it wasn’t on his radar heading into the Western Suburbs Community Churches Cricket Association A.E Lowe Shield.
“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “I didn’t set my eye on it, I just did what I needed to do for the team and if the wickets come, they come.
“There’s some legends at the club who have done it and there’s not many. I’ve looked up to them to be alongside them is a real honour.
Harrison is the youngest of the five to reach the milestone, meaning he might pass some of those other players along the way.
He said he would keep bowling for as long as the body lets him.
“The back goes when you get to 30, I might be in trouble now,” he joked.
Despite offers to play at higher levels and other clubs, Harrison has stuck with Altona Sports.
He said he’s never considered going elsewhere.
“It’s everyone around the club,” he said. “The vibe that has been created and it’s a special place to be.
“You go down there and wind down and relax and have a laugh. It’s a great community down there.”
Harrison said it was hard to pick out his favourite wicket or his best performance with the ball.
He said last season’s grand final when he took eight wickets was a pretty special day and his best bowling performance.
“There have been some key wickets in key games,” he said. “For me it’s about helping the team and getting them over the line.
“Those key wicket breaking wickets to help the side get over the line.”
Harrison has played in four premierships for the club and is hoping to make it another one this season.
He said the competition continues to get stronger and it’s only better for the club to face better opposition.
“We’re looking for some of the younger guys to step up,” he said. “Somehow I’m now one of the older guys.
“We always want to play at the highest level and challenge ourselves the best we can.”
Altona Sports has split the results in its first two games.
It’s currently in a good battle with Truganina Strikers.
The Strikers decided to bat first and made 7-310 off 59 overs before declaring.
Harrison was the pick of the bowlers, taking 5-79.
Altona Sports faced 10 overs at the end of the day.
It will resume at 0-32.
Brayden Svilar will resume on 17 and Kal Duson on 11.
Harrison said they were hoping to continue that on this week.
“It’s nothing to do with me, if I’m out there we are in trouble,” he joked.
