Hale of runs

By Justin Robertson
IT’S only taken English import Alex Hales two games to prove his worth at his new club Dandenong Panthers.
With a run-a-ball 26 against Casey South Melbourne and a blistering 66 from 51 deliveries at Windy Hill under his belt, his team-mates are already singing his praises and are excited at what the season holds for such a touted talent.
Panther’s president Michael Findlay has been impressed with his transition to the club and his form over the weekend.
“He’s started very well out here and has made quite a difference at the top of the order, to have someone that is able to score freely as he has, has put a lot of pressure on the opposition bowlers attack,” he said.
“Having that sort of player assists our other batsmen so that they can establish themselves.”
After losing club stalwart Warren Ayres and a host of high quality players Findlay said having Hales arrive at the club has added professionalism to help fill the void from the string of departures.
“The team has taken to him and he’s fitted in very well,” he said. “The way he goes about things at training and in a game situation is a positive for us all.
Bushranger’s pace bowler Darren Pattinson was instrumental in pinching Hales this summer as the England fringe player was looking to hone his skills during the winter.
The pair have played at Nottinghamshire County side together and during the past two seasons Hales has already carved out a decorated path.
It’s the one-day format that he seems to excel in, scoring 797 runs from 24 hits at an incredible strike rate of 104.4 with a high score of 150 not out.
The same goes for the T20 version, whacking the ball at a rate of 133.4. In his two day game he’s been able to plunder 1124 runs, but his ability to turn it on at will has team-mates brimming with confidence.
All-rounder James Nanopoulos rates Hales as one of the most exciting prospects he’s seen at the club during the last six years he’s been a Panther and off the field said “he’s just one of the boys.”
Captain Darren Dempsey also has big raps for the 21-year-old opening batsmen.
“He got off to a great start on the weekend – especially the Sunday game against Essendon,” he said. “We are just looking forward to one of those special innings and judging by his last knock he’s more than capable of doing that. But, we are looking forward to, hopefully a great season from him.”