Here’s a look at how the Australian overseas players in the County Championship are currently faring.
Marnus Labuschagne – Glamorgan
3 matches, 299 runs @ 59.8
After an unbeaten half-century against Nottinghamshire, Labuschagne perished twice to Shaheen Afridi in Glamorgan’s loss to Middlesex. But the No.1-ranked Test batter came to life last week, following up a century in his side’s first innings with an 87-ball 85 in the second. He’s chipped in with four wickets too, showing off his medium-pace.
Michael Neser – Glamorgan
3 matches, 10 wickets @ 25.1, ER: 2.65
Neser took 23 Championship wickets at an average of 16.78 in 2021 and has continued his good work this year – only Timm van der Gugten, who has played one more match than Neser, has taken more wickets for the county.
Marcus Harris – Gloucestershire
3 matches, 352 runs @ 70.4
The left-handed opener has enjoyed an excellent start to his time at Gloucestershire, hitting two tons and a half-century in his first five knocks for the county. His 67 against Lancashire, the highest score in the innings, saw him take on a star-studded attack of James Anderson, Saqib Mahmood and Hassan Ali.
Peter Siddle – Somerset
3 matches, 14 wickets @ 15.64
Siddle, who helped Essex to the County Championship title to 2019, has continued his relentless excellence at Somerset. His most recent appearance, against Surrey at The Oval, saw him collect innings figures of 6-51.
Matthew Renshaw – Somerset
3 matches, 239 runs @ 47.8
Renshaw was at the heart of Somerset’s first win of the season, hitting 129 off 192 balls at the top of the order against Warwickshire at Taunton. Only Tom Abell, who has played one more match than Renshaw, has hit more runs for Somerset so far this summer.
Mark Steketee – Essex
4 matches, 10 wickets @ 42, ER: 3.37
After a wicketless debut the Queensland quick took five wickets in a nail-biting win over Somerset. The numbers suggest that the 28-year-old is still finding his feet in his first stint as an overseas county pro.
Matthew Kelly – Northamptonshire
2 matches, 5 wickets @ 46, ER: 3.53
Another Australian quick still getting to grips with a new environment – this is the 27-year-old’s first season in the County Championship.
Nathan McAndrew – Warwickshire
1 match, 0 wickets, ER: 4; 51 runs @ 25
Visa issues meant McAndrew’s arrival was delayed, and he only made his debut last week. He remains wicketless and had more to shout about with the bat in a thumping defeat to Somerset, hitting an 88-ball 47 from No.9.
James Pattinson – Nottinghamshire
2 matches, 6 wickets @ 41.33, ER: 4.07
After collecting figures of 1-111 from 27 overs in his first innings of the season, Pattinson bounced back in his second match, taking 3-34 in an innings win over Durham.
Peter Handscomb – Middlesex
2 matches, 27 runs @ 13.5
After 227 Championship runs at 17.46 last year, the 31-year-old has scores of 27 & 0 from his two knocks so far this season. Runs from elsewhere have helped Middlesex to two comfortable wins, limiting Handscomb’s chances of improving his fortunes.
Jackson Bird – Kent
3 matches, 3 wickets @ 75.33, ER: 3.53
Bird’s finest display came on his Kent debut, when he took three wickets and hit his fourth first-class half-century. The Test quick went wicketless against Lancashire and Hampshire, and a shoulder injury sustained against the latter has ruled him out of the remainder of his stint.
