PERHAPS more so than any other sport, cricket is a numbers’ game - and Warrell Creek’s Brodie Bartlett has just completed a season of remarkable figures.
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The Macksville High School student was the standout of the Nambucca Valley Cricket Association’s senior men’s final series, as Warrell Creek marched to victory over Nambucca Heads in the grand final.
So telling was the 16-year-old’s contribution that if they had named an MVP (Most Valuable Player) he would have received the man and the boy of the match awards.
In the decider, Warrell Creek posted 206 from their 40 overs - 70 of them coming from Brodie’s blade.
In reply, Nambucca were skittled for 128, with the Year 11 student turning his arm over with leg spin to claim three for 22.
It was a continuation of a late season purple patch for the youngster who posted 136 runs against Nambucca Hotel in the semi-final - his second century of the season after lashing 126 against Country Club in the opening round.
Incredibly this was already Brodie’s third season in men’s A grade, and his most significant.
He walked away with four major Nambucca Valley Cricket Association awards: Senior Cricketer of the Year, Junior Cricketer of the Year, the A Grade Batting Aggregate (502 runs) and shared the Most Catches (seven, with teammate Austin Nugent).
Not suprisingly Brodie has already tasted representative cricket with first PSSA at Polding and then on a North Coast Juniors tour.
The opening batsman hails from a cricket-mad family, with brother Josh playing this past season for Urunga in the Coffs Harbour comp, while dad Todd stayed closer to home alongside Brodie for the Creek.
And it’s Bartlett senior who still holds bragging rights around the dinner table, according to Brodie.
“I’d say dad’s still the best as he’s got a lot more experience. He’s a genuine allrounder and these days he just fills in for the team wherever he can help,” Brodie told the Guardian.
While the 2014-15 season has been a breakout one, it may be his last for the Creek as there’s talk of a Nambucca-based side entering the Coffs competition.
If that pans out, Brodie will be back playing alongside brother Josh, 18, an equally talented cricketer who works as a greenkeeper at Macksville Country Club.
Brodie though isn’t getting ahead of himself.
“My goal next season will probably be to just make some runs in the Coffs comp.”
