On his form in second grade cricket this season, there were not surprises when Northern Suburbs decided to promote Ian Wood to play first grade.
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But at 49, Wood, a member of Norths formidable first grade teams from the 1990s with players such as Tony Fort and Paul Dyson, thought the news was a “Gee-up, from his mates”.
However, the club renowned for promoting young talent through the ranks was just sticking by its policy of picking the best man for the spot.
Wood was certainly that with two five-wicket hauls this season and 18 wickets in total at an average of 9.11 to sit second on the bowling statistics across second grade.
With the bat, the self-confessed hitter at the end was fourth on the second grade stats. He has scored 163 runs, including two 50s, at an average of 40.75.
“It came as a bit of a surprise. To be honest I thought it was a Gee-up by my mates,” Wood said.
“I was reluctant at first as I didn’t want to deny any younger player a spot. They assured me I there was a vacancy and that I wasn’t replacing anyone so I thought why not.”
After a decade-plus break from the game, Wood returned last year to play in the lower grades with his son.
“My son said he was keen to play and it was an opportunity for us to play together,” he said.
“He decided to not play this year, but I really enjoyed it and they said their might be a role in the higher grades.
“Second grade was all I was thinking and it has been great playing along some of the other guys from my vintage like Phil Callinan (first grade spinner Jordan Callinan’s father).
“It’s a great club and it’s been great to be back.
“They are second to none in promoting their young talent, which was why I was so keen to ensure I wasn’t taken a young bloke’s spot, and the facilities and people are great.
“I’m not a batsman, just a hitter at the end but I’ve picked up a few runs.
“I’ve been doing well with the ball which has been good.”
Wood does not expect to be a permanent fixture in the first grade team but is looking forward to Saturday’s crucial game against Kurri Weston at Lorn Park.
The Warriors are second on the table on 27 points, nine points behind the unbeaten City United, and one point ahead of Norths on 26 points in third.
Raymond Terrace are fourth on 22 points, one point ahead of Thornton and Wests in fifth and six places respectively.
It’s the last game before the Christmas break, but crucially for Norths just one of two games at home for the rest of the regular season.
Their next home game is a two-day fixture against Thornton starting on February 2.