Sport

Tatura’s Nathan Baldwin takes a humble approach after Lower-grade T20 final victory

Jan 13, 2025

Tatura's Nathan Baldwin produced a sizzling showcase in the Lower-grade T20 final. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

If you read Nathan Baldwin’s stat line batting for Tatura in Sunday’s Cricket Shepparton Lower-grade T20 grand final, you’d naturally imagine everything was falling into place as planned.

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After all, he carried the bat through all 16.5 overs from the opening spot in what eventually became a stroll home for the host at Howley Oval.

Knocking over 62 unbeaten as part of a commanding third-wicket stand that brought his side home, Baldwin produced his finest outing of the season in notching his second half-century of the 2024-25 campaign.

If you asked him, though? He experienced it rather differently in the middle.

“I wasn’t really seeing it that well,” Baldwin said post-match.

“I was just closing my eyes and hoping to God I hit the ball.

“At the start, I was all right and it was hitting the middle, but I just got a bit tired as the game got on.

“I honestly thought we’d be chasing 160 or 170, but they’re a terrific bunch of blokes who bowled well.”

All told, Baldwin was happy to dish the compliments out elsewhere more so than lavish them on himself and the recipients included his Eagle adversaries.

“I can’t doubt any of their bowling on that side, with maybe a few loose ones today, but they’re a good group,” Baldwin said.

“Every single game, Brandan Reilly or another opener comes up and says, ‘This will either go really good or really bad’. I’m either out first ball or I’m making runs.

“I’m tired after that, though. I’m taking Monday off to sleep and recover.”