https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/powerhouse-batsman-set-to-play-last-mackay-season/3880783/ If this is his last year in the Norths colours, Mitch English intends to make it his best yet. For years the Queensland Country batsman has been the name synonymous with the club’s success on the cricket pitch. But the 2019-20 DBCT Poole Cup is set to be the destructive opener’s last. Now an engaged man, English will be moving to England in July to start anew. Another half-century in Norths’ win against Brothers on Saturday continued his impressive form. With 431 runs at 71.8 to his credit, English said he could not recall such a season of consistency. “You might get the odd ton in a season … but to be this consistent as I have this season has been really nice,” he said.
“It’s helping our side get off to a good start and making the job a bit easier for the other boys in the middle order to come out with a bit of freedom. “I try not to put too much pressure on myself really … (and) go out fearless I guess. I’m just trying to score a few runs and get the win at the end of the season, which would be a nice swan song.” After winning the toss and electing to bat, English and his co-stars Peter Shepherd and Jason Butterworth laid the foundation for a competitive total. Shepherd, the Norths captain, was again a standout in what has been a dominant season, His 107 was his first century in Mackay A-Grade cricket since 2012. It had been a case of so near yet so far for English’s opening partner in 2019. While Shepherd features in the top run scorers for the competition, he had fallen just shy of triple figures on three occasions — including his 98 last week against Magpies. English said his skipper was elated to finally raise the bat. “He’s come close a lot of times this year and a couple of times last year. “To get across the line and get it I think takes that monkey off his back and he might score a few more this season,” he said. “Luckily for me I haven’t really had that too many times – maybe one or two nineties. “But it does play on your mind a bit with the boys ripping into you in the sheds … so there’s a little bit of pressure from yourself and others. “But once you get it it’s a bit like getting your first hundred; once you get it the rest of them sort of flow a little bit.” Norths will next face Souths Sharks this Saturday, while Brothers will take on Valleys in the Sunday fixture.
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November 2019
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