Australia's Mitch Owen in action against West Indies during first T20I. (Cricket Australia)A stunning six off his fourth ball and a wicket off his third delivery capped a eyeballs-grabbing international debut for Australia’s 23-year old Mitch Owen in the T20 against West Indies. Not bad for someone whose “chubby” figure as a kid is caught in a mural near the nets of Cricket Tasmania’s base. Growing up, he was a huge fan of Hobart Hurricanes and would unfailingly visit all games.
On Sunday, with his parents and girlfriend watching from the stands in Kingston Jamaica, he smashed a fifty and took a wicket to become the man of the match. Owen went for a big slog first ball but missed. Off his fourth ball, though, he flat-batted Andre Russell for a flamboyant six over long-off to start the run counter and only stopped after a 27-ball 50 with six sixes. With the ball he was hit for a six first ball by Shimron Hetmyer who top-edged a pull over wicketkeeper’s head, but took a wicket off his third delivery. Riding on fifties from Owen and Cameron Green, Australia chased down the 190-run target in under 19 overs to win the first T20I against West Indies.
“It was nice. I was happy to get a call-up yesterday and I didn’t know where I was going to come here to play or run in with drinks.
“I swung the first ball too which I missed by a few inches! I wanted to put pressure back on the bowlers and I was a bit lucky,” he said about that six to get off the mark. Owen has been making a name in T20 cricket in the BBL in Australia where he opens the batting.
Earlier this year, he had told cricket.com.au about his fan days as a “chubby” kid. “They’re some of my fondest memories as a young cricketer – I remember getting a nice photo with Xavier Doherty after he took a hat-trick, and another game Ricky (Ponting) actually gave me his gloves.”
Usually a opener for his domestic T20 team, Owen batted at No. 6 for Australia on debut. “Honestly I tried not to look at field too much and tried to react to the ball., it held me in good stead. Obviously different to opening but my game plan wasn’t too different at No.6. Basically just try to get on from ball one.”
He also took a wicket off his third delivery with a slower cutter outside off that Shai Hope toe-ended an attempted big hit to backward point. “I thought I was on course for 36 in my first over after he [Shimron Hetmyer] smacked me for a six first ball but I was lucky to get my first wicket. I was very nervous first six balls.”
He used to play in the middle order before he began to open for T20 team in Australia. He also used to bowl spin before he took up medium pace. “”I felt like I needed another string to my bow (and) my offies were no good to be fair,” Owen said. “I grew, got a bit stronger and thought I might as well use my levers for something and have a crack at bowling … it’s a work in progress, I’m still learning.”
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