TIGER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: CAMERON NEWTON-GRAIN

TIGER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: CAMERON NEWTON-GRAIN

As we continue to move the spotlight across all the Tigers and thank them for their efforts in the 2012 cricket season, today it comes to rest on our youngest player: Cameron Newton-Grain.

Cam plays his club cricket for Charlbury CC and also turns out for Magdalen College School where he is a pupil. Despite his youth, Cam is a veteran of the Ambush and played in all but one of the 2012 fixtures.

Cam on his way to delivering 6.4-0-20-3 against Southfield Superstars

There's a couple of things about Cam that we in the Ambush all know but the opposition might not. The first is that the often 'typically teenage' disinterested look on his face does not mean he isn't absolutely 'on-the-ball' and not enjoying his cricket. He's as sharp as a tack is our Cam. The second is that his age doesn't make him a soft touch. Few batsman have targeted Cam this season and got away with it.

So what sort of season did Cam have? The answer is a very good one. A season that saw him play with more maturity with each passing game.

 No mug with a bat: Cam on his way to 19 against Badgers

Initially a bit disheartened after going for a few runs in the first two 20/20 games against the lads from Witney Rugby Club, Cam showed that his real strength was in bowling in the longer format games. And while most of our bowlers were suffering at the hands of Hubbard in the game against London Badgers, Cam and Robbie Nicholson gave him very little. Cam topped a mean bowling display of 8-0-32-0 in that game with a decent tail end innings of 19.

That was just the platform the young fella needed. After being frustrated at not taking a wicket against the Badgers, Cam stormed out with a 4-0-12-3 against Stuffed Beavers. Then, in another ruthless bowling display, he turned in 6.4-0-20-3 against Southfield Superstars.

 The Tigers Mafiosa: Dad John (left), Uncle Chris and Cam

And it was in the Southfield game that Cam provided us with one of the magic moments of the 2012 season when he took a superb overhead, diving catch from a standing start to dismiss one of Southfield's dangermen in the batting line-up. Few of us who saw that catch won't forget it in a very, very long time.

Cam thanks for all the effort you've put in for the Tigers in the 2012 season mate. Fingers crossed you'll be with us for many, many more.

Tiger, we salute you!

Cam's 2012 Stats