A YOUNG cricketer from Chirk spun a spell over his rivals by taking nine wickets during a recent dream-come-true match at Headingley.
Patrik Evans, helped the Lancashire Elite Academy Under 12s team to dramatic victory against bitter rivals, Yorkshire, at the legendary cricket ground earlier this month.
But the match meant much more for the 11-year-old Ysgol Dinas Bran student, as it completed half of his lifetime ambition.
“It’s something I have always wanted to do,” he explained. “I have a big dream – half of it has come true after playing at Headingley, the other half is to play for England, I really hope that happens.”
It’s an ambition that the spin bowler from Princess Avenue stands a good chance of reaching, as he is already gearing up for try-outs with the Academy’s Under 16 team: “It’s going to be very hard, I’ll be taking on quite a few people, but I think I’ve got a good chance,” he said.
Since joining the Academy in the summer, Patrik has spent a lot of time focusing on developing his game, using video technology to improve his skills, which came into their own at the Headingley match as he took nine wickets.
“I was really pleased to lift the trophy,” he continued: “I’m focusing on my batting and bowling in training at the moment – there’s lots of practice, but I keep on improving every week.”
However, the match was a nail-biting event for the youngster’s parents, Paula and Lawrie, as it was won on the last ball of the last over.
“It was so nerve-wracking watching him,” said Paula. “Patrik wasn’t bothered, he was very calm, we are very proud.”
“He’s a mean bowler,” she continued, ”but he is also the fifth generation of the family to play for Chirk Cricket Club.”
Tim Flack, chairman and coach at the town cricket club commented: “We are very pleased with Patrik’s selection, he is improving all the time. The standard is very high there and hopefully he will have picked up a lot of new ideas and help to develop them within our junior teams.”