ON SONG: Geraldine 12-year-old Ben Cosgriff’s right-arm mediums were good enough to make him the top wicket-taker at the South Island Primary Schools’ Cricket Tournament.
Trent Boult is his hero, but Geraldine’s Ben Cosgriff has a bowling average even the Black Caps speedster could only dream of.
At the South Island Primary Schools’ Cricket Tournament in Blenheim recently Cosgriff ended up the top wicket-taker at the tournament.
The 12-year-old’s right arm medium pace proved too much for 12 batsmen over five days of games, finishing with an average of just 5.83 runs per wicket and a measly economy rate of 2.13 runs per over.
Cosgriff, who was vice-captain for the eventually second-equal South Canterbury team, said most of his wickets had been either bowled or caught behind.
He does not claim to have a lot of pace, but accuracy, a full length, and a bit of swing and seam had been the key to success on grassy pitches in Blenheim.
“The wickets were actually pretty green. Everything else was dry but the pitches were green.”
A Canterbury team was not selected after the tournament, but Cosgriff was named in the tournament dream team.
The 12-year-old starts Geraldine High School today and also plans to continue playing for Geraldine’s A grade team.