AUSSIE POWER: Paceman Adam Meads makes early impression as Wisbech push MCC close
PACEMAN Adam Meads has vowed to bring some Australian firepower to Wisbech Town Cricket Club’s bowling attack.
The 21-year-old has already impressed his new team-mates after swapping the beaches of Byron Bay for the pitch at Harecroft Road.
He took two wickets on his debut - a friendly defeat to Downham on Saturday - and two more in a win over Spalding on Sunday.
Meads said: “I just want to take wickets - that’s pretty much my only target.
“I got off the plane last Wednesday and went straight to training that night. It was good to get into action at the weekend, if a little bit cold.
“We had been having 35C days before I left Australia so it was a bit of a shock to the system.”
Meads caught the eye during Wisbech’s annual two-day clash with the MCC this week by dismissing Cameron Wake, who scored a century in last year’s friendly, on his way to three wickets in the first innings.
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Gary Freear and Ben Allsop looked in good form with the bat, as Wisbech pushed the MCC all the way in a 19-run defeat.
“It was a big honour to play against the MCC,” said Meads. “It’s a great experience because we don’t get opportunities like that back home.”
The seamer played for his state New South Wales as a teenager, alongside emerging Australian internationals Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson.
He said: “I used to bowl pretty quick back then, somewhere around 80mph, but I’ve had injuries and I’m definitely slower now.
“I’ve been holding back a little so far and I’ll bend my back a bit more later in the season.”
Meads, who is also an aggressive lower-order batsman, said he had been impressed by the set-up at Wisbech, especially the junior section.
“They seem to be an awesome bunch of guys,” he said. “Everyone has made me feel welcome. I’ve only been here a week and it already feels like a few months.”
Wisbech, whose bowling options have been further boosted by captain James Williams’ return to fitness, travel to North Runcton tomorrow before holding their signing-on day on Sunday.
They begin their Tucker Gardner Premier Division One campaign by hosting Khalsa next Saturday.