Mitchell Swain’s description of his batting style is epitomised by the above picture.
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“I don’t think there’s any secret that I’m only a bit of a dirty hack, that’s for sure,” he said. “There’s not too much style to how I bat, and I’m well aware of that.”
The 27-year-old’s “dirty hacking” has played a key role in Old Boys’ form reversal.
After what Swain described as an “ordinary” start to the season, Old Boys went into the Christmas break with a perfect three-for-three Twenty20 record – the wins catapulting them to second on the ladder behind City United.
Swain and fellow opener Simon Norvill provided Old Boys with solid platforms in those matches. Old Boys are targeting four straight T20 wins, against Bective-East at Riverside 1 on Saturday afternoon.
“I’m seeing the ball probably a bit better … but you know, I certainly wouldn’t be calling myself one of the senior batsmen [in Old Boys], that’s for sure,” Swain said.
“A lot of the time,” he added, “I have a carefree attitude. I don’t get caught up with it too much. If the ball’s there to be hit, I hit it. If it’s not, I still try to hit it.”
Swain, a medium-pacer, is happy to contribute in any way he can, after joining Old Boys from Albion for the 2014-15 season – the start of Old Boys’ four consecutive premierships.
Like numerous Gunnedah cricketers before and since then, he came to Tamworth to test himself amid enhanced company. And while he was a cog in Old Boys’ golden run, and continues to hold down a spot in the side, he expected more of himself.
“Probably myself, I probably haven’t played at the level of cricket I would like to,” he said. “I would like to have contributed probably a little more, but I think everyone could probably say that … I’ve certainly enjoyed it.”
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He added: “I don’t really care what I do – I just enjoy playing … My role in the side is just to plug holes where I need to. If it means I’ve got to open the batting, I’ll do that. If it means I’ve got to open the bowling, I’ll do that. Whatever the team needs.”
Old Boys this week welcomes back opener and wicketkeeper Abel Carney, who has missed most of the year due to work commitments. Swain said Carney’s return was “massive”.
And he delivered a salvo, perhaps at City: “Grand finals aren’t won in December. I think a few people forget that … We certainly went into the Christmas break a bit happier than certainly the start of the season, that’s for sure.”
South Tamworth, meanwhile, will have to overcome the big void left by the loss of Tom Groth and Tom O’Neill for their clash against West Tamworth at Riverside 2.
The “two Toms” are playing for the Bush Blues at the country championships in Shepperton, Victoria.
