A Newport cricketer has earned a dream professional contract in Australia.
Forton Cricket Club ace Chris Sayers will jet off Down Under on Monday to link up with Aussie side Wantirna South as their overseas pro.
The 26-year-old pace bowler, who has been with Forton for 13 years, will play for the Melbourne suburb team for six months during the Shropshire winter break.
“It’s not bad is it,” said Sayers.
“I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by a cricket agency who asked if was interested in playing winter cricket in Australia.
“They were just scouring the internet and saw my stats from this season.
“I had to send off a few references before the contracts were signed, but it really was as simple as that. It’s just a dream come true.
“I thought it was a wind up at first until the contracts were there in front of me.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to go and play cricket in Australia and hopefully it will help Forton to move forward as well.
“I don’t have a job at the moment so it made the decision a lot easier. There is nothing stopping me now.”
Sayers, a product of the Forton youth system, spearheaded the club’s bowling attack this season with a stunning record of 60 wickets.
That made him the second highest wicket taker in all of the Shropshire cricket leagues as Forton gained promotion back into the first division following a 10 year absence.
And Sayers has further reason to celebrate after scooping a sponsorship deal with cricket suppliers CJI for the winter and also the domestic 2010 season.
Forton captain and brother Matthew Sayers said: “Its an outstanding achievement for both Chris and Forton.
“Chris has had an unbelievable season terrorising opposition batsman, but its also a special moment for the club dispelling the common misconception that you have to play for a big club to proceed within the game.”
Sayers, who has rejected approaches by some of Shropshire’s more glamours clubs in recent years, will become Forton’s first ever overseas professional when he makes his debut for Wantirna South.
By Sean Wozencroft
