MATTHEW Bode is being hailed as a star of the future.

Unfortunately for English cricket, 17-year-old Bode is Australian but at least Bolton cricket, and Tonge in particular, can claim some credit in the development of his career.

The South Australian from Adelaide, who is also a British passport holder, has already hit five half centuries in succession to help Tonge maintain their top spot in the Bolton League and although it is not a record, the fact that it has been achieved by one so young in terms of senior cricket, it does underline the cricketing talent he undoubtedly possesses.

Naturally shy off the field, Bode casts that aside when he has the ball or bat in his hands.

As a bowler, his medium fast deliveries may look nothing special until he zips one down with the speed to catch batsmen off their guard.

And as a batsman he is single-minded enough to hit each ball as hard and as far as he possibly can.

His route to Bolton cricket and Castle Hill surprisingly started on the Fylde coast.

Tonge cricket manager Ray Eccleshare was first alerted to the promising teenager when Bode's uncle rang from Lytham St Annes about the possibility of his nephew joining the club. "I was a little bit sceptical when I heard that this lad who wanted to play league cricket was only 17," said Ray, "but I became a little more interested when I heard he was Australian.

"Anyway through Mike Watkinson I was able to have a word with Lancashire's second team coach Peter Sleep, the ex-Aussie Test player, and he knew of Matthew but in the end we took him on chance.

"I'm just glad we did because he does look a little bit special. He has no weaknesses, I think he has a great cricketing future ahead of him."

Surprisingly, Matthew is also involved in another sport - Aussie Rules Football. That is something you would not have expected such a slightly built lad to play but as he says: "I get the opposition worked up a bit then let my bigger team-mates sort it out."

Tonge's opponents over the next couple of months have been warned!

No official records for successive half centuries have been kept in the Bolton League but Farnworth's Brad Hodge had six successive fifties in a purple patch last season including three centuries.

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