GILES Creedon, Barnard Castle CC’s affable Aussie all-rounder, reckons the 71 he scored in helping his side secure third place in this year’s NYSD Premier Division may well be his last knock as a cricketer.
The 25-year-old, who hails from Toowoomba, Queensland, bids farewell to Barney this week after two seasons playing as an overseas amateur with the club and has no plans to play when he gets home.
A move to the Gold Coast and securing work as a physiotherapist are on the agenda – along with surfing.
His two seasons with Barney have been markedly different.
His slow left arm bowling was a triumph during the 2018 campaign – 63 wickets at just under 14 runs apiece.
While his bowling suffered this time round – 25 wickets at 24 runs – his batting flourished at a time the team was looking for form and stability at the top of the order.
He cracked 718 runs at 36, hitting four 50s and a memorable 118 against Great Ayton.
“I did not have the consistency and accuracy with the ball as last year. I put in the work just as much but it was not coming out as well,” he said.
“So I decided to push myself up the order. It took Quinny (skipper James Quinn) some convincing to let me open the batting.”
He found his form mirroring that from Down Under.
“I found in Australia that I would bowl well one season and then bat well the next,” he added.
After a stellar NYSD title winning 2018 campaign, Barney had to settle for third place this time round.
“In the end we were happy with third. We could have pushed to win the league if we had performed to our best – that’s the disappointing thing.
“We played out of our skins to win the league last year when we were not expected to do that well.”
He cites as other highlights the cup wins, including this year’s Kerridge Cup, when he scored 73 to lead the run chase against Stokesley in the final. As far as bowling is concerned, the seven wickets he took against Marske in 2018 was the first time he had garnered such a haul.
“I have loved the cricket over here – especially the midweek games and the different formats that are played,” said Giles.
“Each requires different skills that suit different players but challenge yourself as well.
“I feel that in the last two years I have achieved all I want to in cricket. When I get home I will be moving to a new city, moving to the coast and looking for a bit of a change.”
But he admits: “Having said that, I know will miss the camaraderie so I will probably end up playing again in a couple of years.”
Off the pitch, he said he had loved his Barney experience.
“I only planned on coming for one season. But once I met the people and realised how rewarding it was playing here I thought I had to come back again.
“Everyone has been super-friendly. I have got along with everyone and they helped me settle in and then welcome me back. I will miss it and miss everyone I have met. I think I will definitely be back in future to see everyone.”
He has spent this week packing and will head off to London before travelling around Europe and flying back home for Christmas.
