Freeman shows bowling potential

4:15pm Friday 5th September 2008

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CHRISTOPHER Freeman has set his sights on breaking into the Barnards Green first team after claiming his maiden five-wicket haul.

The 15-year-old took 5-42 in a 12-over spell, including one maiden, during Green’s two-wicket defeat against Kent-based touring side Hartley.

Although his achievement, in which all five of his victims fell to catches, did not lead to victory, it was a personal milestone that has earned him the award of the Worcester News/Fearnley Factory Shop young cricketer of the month.

Freeman, who wins a handmade Fearnley cricket bat, saw his effort act as a catalyst for this season as he has gone on to take several more wickets for the North End Lane club.

He said: “That’s the first time I have taken five wickets.

“I was just ecstatic and amazed I had managed to do it because I don’t take that many wickets for the senior teams.

“I have doubled my wicket tally since that so it’s given me a lot of confidence.”

The Chase Technology College off-spinner is a regular in the Barnards Green Sunday seconds and has featured for the club’s thirds and fourths this season.

However, he is hoping his achievement will have brought him to the attention of his uncle Chris Smedley, who is captain of the first team currently occupying fifth place in Crusader Worcestershire League Division One.

Freeman said: “I would like to play for Barnards Green firsts. That’s my main target at the moment because I don’t think I am good enough to get into the county side.”

His father Steve was not there to witness the first three wickets fall but received a telephone call saying his son was on the brink of a piece of personal history.

Freeman senior said: “He was ecstatic. It’s the first time he has taken five wickets and, unusually, they were all catches.

“Christopher broke into the senior side this year playing on a Sunday. He has been elevated to the third and fourth XIs since his five-wicket haul and he is a regular in the Sunday second XI.

“The only thing I ask for is that he has fun when he plays and that’s what he’s done all summer in the nets at Barnards Green with his mates.”