Beverley Town CC teenager Ben Fish has certainly done that. The 17-year-old hit a fantastic 95 on his first team debut last week to repay the faith shown in him by captain Alan Acklam.
Told just three days beforehand that he was to be thrown in at the deepest of ends, Ben opened the batting against Sessay, last year’s York and District Senior League Premier Division runners up, and showed just why he is one of the hottest prospects at the club.
Although he fell five short of a remarkable century, Ben’s first reaction was one of regret that his side didn’t record the victory such a performance with the bat merited.
But he told HU17.net that as the dust settled, he was able to reflect on a superb performance that has cemented his place in the first team.
He said: “At first, I did not realise what I had achieved. But the next day, when it had sunk in, I was absolutely buzzing.
“I got a call off Alan on the Wednesday saying our normal opener was on a stag do and that I was in the first team and was going to open. I snapped his hand off when he said that!
“I did not know what to expect as I was told the bowling would be a lot better than what I had faced before. It took me 55 balls to get into double figures and I admit my first 30 runs were pretty ugly and I had a bit of luck.
“But then I started to middle a few, although a lot went straight to the fielders. Then I go to 50 and started to use my feet to the spinners. I felt more confident and started to come down the track.
“I was disappointed not to reach my hundred, but my first thought was that we hadn’t won.”
Ben, a product of the club’s youth system, was delighted with the response his innings drew from his fellow first teamers. His 95 was just short of his highest score for Beverley – an unbeaten 100 for the thirds.
And he knows the pressure is on as he prepares for his home debut against Goole tomorrow (Saturday).
He continued: “Everyone was really chuffed for me and said it was a great acheivement. I was just shattered as I had batted for three hours!
“Last week the pressure was off a bit as I could just go out and bat.
“Now I am making my home debut and it is a bit nerve-wracking. But with those runs behind me I can be confident.”
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