Aidan knows a trick or two

By Gavin Staindl
IF ONCE is a fluke and twice is a trend, then junior cricketer Aidan Owen is turning hat-tricks into something of a habit.
Aidan, 14, last weekend achieved the remarkable feat of taking a second hat-trick in the same season.
While playing for the under-15 Beaconsfield Eagles side, Aidan snagged three wickets in a row in his side’s win over Tooradin Red, adding to the hat-trick he took in the opening game against Clyde.
Aidan admits he “probably” has a knack when it comes to taking hat-tricks, and last Saturday’s spell against Tooradin highlighted his talent.
Eagles coach Darren Venn, who was umpiring at square leg, recalled the moment.
“The first one was caught behind, the next was caught in the covers, so we brought the fielders in for the third guy and he bowled him,” Venn said.
“The batter played it on (to the stumps) but it only just knocked the bails off, it rolled that slowly.
“It was like it was in slow motion, it rolled and just touched the stumps.
“The boys went out of control and they chaired Aidan off after the game,” Venn said.
It was just reward for the boy who two months earlier snapped his arm but continued to turn up to training.
“He is one of those boys who turns up to training, even when he broke his arm he was there … he just loves his cricket,” Venn said.
As his coach admits, Aidan doesn’t open the bowling and he bats down the tail. He doesn’t bowl with express pace or gather any spin from his deliveries, but he does work hard at his bowling and with nine wickets from the season, Aidan leads his team in wickets taken.
“If I want a wicket I bring on Aidan,” Venn said.
“He has this loopy action the batters think they can go after, but every time I bring him on I can guarantee he will take a wicket.”