JOE Leighton has a taste for more representative cricket experience, despite an injury cutting short his tournament last weekend.
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The Valley cricketer was only two overs into his bowling spell for Central North on the first day of the Country Championships at Ballina before a back strain left him unable to continue.
“Something didn’t feel right and after 10 deliveries I couldn’t do anything; I was shattered I really wanted to play,” he said.
Leighton admitted succumbing to the injury felt worse than when he lost his wicket on 99 in his last start for Valley against JPC.
Even with the pain, he still donned the pads, scoring 12 for his side against North Coast, but was sidelined for the other two fixtures.
Leighton said he’s keen to try out next year for the representative teams and is confident he can help his local club tomorrow – against Creeks at Howe Park – with the bat at least, depending on doctor’s advice.
He said the big differences between the representative game and the club level were the fielding performance and faster bowling.
“No one drops catches and they’re all switched on in the field,” he said.
At the domestic level, the inform all-rounder is positive Valley is going in the right direction – and starting to gel.
“We had a pretty strong chase in our last game and the batting order seems to have settled now,” he told The Argus.
“We’re practicing fielding more every week.
“Everyone’s keen for success.”
On a personal level, the local electrician is happy with the wickets, and particularly the runs he’s been making so far this season, but said he was always looking to improve.
Leighton was joined by fellow Singletonian and teammate Jacob Carey in being selected for Central North, after trials for the team on November 9 when Hunter Valley took on North Inland at Tamworth.
However, Carey was forced to withdraw from the squad.
In the other first grade encounter tomorrow, PCH locks horns with JPC at Cook 3 while Glendon has the bye.