Andrew McCammond has been Footscray Edgewater’s best performing bowler this season. 71603 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
ANDREW McCammond was always going to provide great leadership, but to also be Footscray Edgewater’s leading wicket-taker after six rounds is an added bonus.
McCammond, who returned to the Bulldogs this season after playing two years of local cricket with St Albans, wasted no time in proving his worth.
He has taken 11 wickets in five games, at an average of 16.91. He was devastating in Footscray Edgewater’s stunning defeat of Essendon last round, where he claimed four scalps, including three top-order batsmen.
The Newport resident said he has relished playing district cricket again. “I really enjoyed getting back into it because is a new fresh group from when I left and I’m just enjoying taking a bit of a mentoring role with a lot of the young bowlers and enjoying playing again at the highest level in Victoria,” he said. “They’re coming out alright at the moment and taking wickets is an added bonus. I’m using my brain a little bit more these days. I’ve got a bit more experience, and it’s falling my way at the moment.”
With McCammond a part of a bowling mentoring group that included Ian Brayshaw and Merv Hughes, there’s no doubt Footscray Edgewater’s up-and-coming bowlers are in good hands.
Hamish Winter-Irving, a Victorian under-19 squad representative who came to the club from Shepparton, is showing signs of a promising future, taking three wickets in the second XI side against Essendon in round six, and holding his own in his debut first XI game in round five, taking 1/11 from four overs.
“He’s going to be an absolute ripper,” McCammond enthused.
Year 12 student James Freeman has also impressed McCammond. The quick bowler had a breakthrough game for the third XI side against Essendon where he took three wickets and made 80 runs.
“The depth of bowling at Footscray at the moment is fantastic, so there’s always competition for spots,” McCammond said.
McCammond said Footscray Edgewater had found the right balance against Essendon – a game that saw wicketkeeper Dylan Kight make his first century.
“We had seven virtually specialist batsmen … and with (Dylan) Kight he gives us the flexibility to play either another bat or another bowler. I think we’re going to be around the mark, and finals is definitely the aim for this group. With a few older heads like myself and Travis Gloury around hopefully we can impart some knowledge to the young kids.
“We’re not far away. We probably have a little bit to go to compete against some of the top clubs like Carlton or Geelong, but we’re definitely in the next category underneath that.
As for McCammond, he just hopes his body can continue to hold up. At the moment the body’s in pretty good nick, but I take it one game at a time because you never know with my body, I’ve had a wretched run with injuries.”
