I am pleased to announce that Aussie Shaun Anderson flies in from Victoria on March 14th and will be Hythe's overseas player for 2012.

Shaun who plays in the Sale Maffra League, is also his clubs fitness & fielding coach & comes recommended by ex Hampshire's Chris Thomason who played a couple of games for Hythe a few seasons ago. Despite having a UK Passport the HCL have informed us that we will have to register him as a Foreign National.

I asked Chris how he compares the Sale Maffra League (where Shaun currently plays) to the Hampshire League Pyramid. Chris said 'I am glad you guys are getting there with Shaun, he is a good player (I coached him when I played out there so he must be good :-) and he will be a great asset to Hythe.

I played in the A grade in the Sale Maffra, the same as Shaun although he is playing for a better club.  I would put the standard at bronze/silver in the Southern League.  That said, each club has 4or 5 players that would easily play gold (Shaun included)and the rest would be good silver or bronze players.  This is because of population rather than anything else.  They are a country league, but the best in Victoria outside Melbourne. 

The league has played many times in what is called 'Country Week'.  This is where all the leagues from country Victoria play against each other in Melbourne with the final at either the MCG or at one of the top Melbourne club grounds.  It is a very high standard and Sale Maffra has won it 7 times in a row. I played in the first win in 2002/3. I know that Shaun will do Hythe & Dibden proud and you won't get a better all rounder in my opinion, if that counts for anything'. 

Shaun who bowls right arm and bats left handed comes to England with girlfriend Caitlin and hope to stay for two years if they find suitable jobs.

Shauns best bowling performance in Grade 'A Cricket is 6-30 but he's quick to point out that he produced figures of 8-35 in a 3rd XI game at the age of 13 years. His highest score in Grade 'A' Cricket 57. Shaun says 'Its hard to get going over here cos you might not get a bat in the middle for a good month as we play 2 day games so if you bat first 1 week, the next week your bowling then if you bowl first in the following game its not untill the week after that you get to bat again. (providing its not washed out or you get rock n rolled first ball) Harsh game out here'.

I asked Shaun why come to a County 3 Club - ' Chris Thomason recommended your club to me and I come from a small self funded club myself. I have had some other enquiries from other clubs off the ECB Website however have told them I'm not interested as you guys seem down to earth and genuine, which is important to us.

See how we go! We are coming to the UK for a good experience more than what the standard of cricket is like. And to be honest I would rather play for a club that I hope I can help make stronger and improve, other than some players that join clubs because its full of superstars and its a easy road through for them to some silverware'.

One thing Shaun is slightly concerned about and thats the number of League Centuries past Overseas players like Burzler, Greyvenstein, Fraser, and De Jager have scored. 'I saw the stats for the overseas players the other night and i noticed they all scored runs. I'm putting pressure on myself here but my aim this season is 2 League Tons and helping you guys to a Hythe promotion'.

Shauns SMCA Bowling Stats:

Shauns SMCA Batting Stats: