By now, I’m sure you all know Hamish Paterson is returning as Heywood CC overseas amateur next season.
He showed his undoubted potential all season, and proved beyond doubt he has ability and bottle when he took 6-22 in that thrilling victory against Royton in the season finale.
His partner in crime that day was Humza Naeem, who picked up four in the game, and with both a year stronger Heywood look likely to have a great attack this season.
Hamish can also bowl as many overs as he wants this year, something about which he has strong views.
Here, Hamish, 19 but who will be 20 in March, talks about his return to Heywood, his hopes for the season and what he is looking forward to most about another season at Crimble.
HCC: How happy are you to be coming back to Heywood?
Hamish Paterson: I am stoked and very excited to be returning to Heywood this year, especially with all the new developments and attention the club is getting. I think it is a great and very exciting time for the club and I’m just happy I get to be around this year and help out in any way I can.
HCC: What is it that made you want to come back to Heywood?
HP: Well, first and foremost, it is the people at the club that have made me want to return to Heywood. Last year everyone was so welcoming and a delight to be around and the club was a great place to be involved. As soon as I left last year, I knew I wanted to return and was very keen to get back and play and luckily everything has worked out so I have this opportunity again.
Secondly was to play in what I believe can be a very successful team at Heywood and hopefully further improve as a cricketer.
The experience I gained over in the UK has held me in good stead this year in Australia and I feel I have improved parts of my game so I’m looking to learn a lot more and work very hard on my game.
HCC: How has your season gone so far back in Oz? How pleased are you with your form?
HP: The season in Australia has been a very mixed season. We we’re sitting third before Christmas and were looking a big threat of shaking up the finals but unfortunately since Christmas we have imploded and won just one of our last five game and we have missed out on the finals, which is very disappointing.
Personally this has been probably my strongest season in the ones. I have taken the wickets and career best figures but it all means nothing when you are not playing in the finals.
HCC: What do you hope to achieve this season?
HP: Teamwise I’m hoping we are very successful this year and that we can hopefully win the league and/or Wood cup. From what Bobby has told me, the club has picked up a few very promising players and that combined with the strengths the team already possess hopefully equates to a successful year.
Personally I have not really got any goals this year, just really to enjoy my time at the club. More wickets then last year would be absolutely great and I am also looking to work on my batting a fair bit and take it back over to Aus.
HCC: How pleased are you to be able to bowl more overs this season?
HP: This is one thing I am looking forward to – bowling more overs. It was a very frustrating thing over there last year getting stuck into your spell realising you have only got two more overs to make an impact until you have to be rested.
This was my first year in Australia without bowling restrictions and I loved being able to work myself into a long spell and working over a batsmen.
I can understand why they have bowling restrictions in junior cricket but I think once you get to senior cricket, restrictions should be scrapped because you are there to do a job and bowl as many overs as need be.
HCC: How do you see your opening partnership with Humza going?
HP: Humza is a very good bowler and hopefully his work with the Lancashire set-up over the winter holds him in good stead. I enjoy bowling with Humza a lot because you feel no real pressure bowling when he’s at the other end and I believe we can form a very strong opening partnership, backed up with the formidable bowling of Chris Kaye.
HCC: What are you most looking forward to?
HP: There are quite a few things I am looking forward to this year. One being a beer at the Hare and Hounds and catching up with the boys, which is always good fun.
Another is playing in a big game at Crimble in front of a good-sized crowd. One thing I have missed is the crowd at Heywood as we are lucky to get 15 people down to watch a game in Australia.
And lastly would be the tour to Worcester.
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Hamish,
It will be my pleasure to buy you your first pint in the H & H and welcome you back. DX