Cricket: Rixon still bowled over

Dan RIXON expects to be back behind the stumps on Sunday when Edinburgh Accies continue their Scottish cricket cup quest at home to Poloc after his record-breaking ten-wicket haul in the previous round.

While his dad, Steve, the former Australian Test and one day 'keeper, was this week helping coach Chennai Super Kings to the Indian Premier League title, Dan, not to be outdone, achieved a feat believed to be unprecedented in the history of Scotland's national knock-out tournament in his unfamiliar guise of medium pace bowler in a tie at Galashiels. "I only found myself bowling when Accies found themselves short of a few regulars who could turn their arm," said the 24-year-old professional who is enjoying his first season in the Capital.

He added: "I am so much of a 'keeper that, thanks to social networking, word quickly spread back to Australia where I began to get messages from my mates back home curious to know how I'd pulled it off! In fact, three of my victims were caught and the same number fell lbw. Other than that the rest were bowled.

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"It was so unusual for me to be bowling that I wasn't too aware of what was happening at first. Then some of my team-mates started to joke that they would deliberately drop any catches that came their way and the opposition batsmen joined in the banter by offering to give their wickets away so that they could have a part in the drama.

"It's a good feeling to have contributed something like this to Accies who have helped me settle in very well after a previous spell abroad playing in England."

Dan took 10 for 21 as Gala were bowled out for 64 in a six-wicket win, and has a league top score of 62 this season and an average of 60.50 but insists: "Batting-wise it has been a bit difficult adjusting to the slower conditions in Scotland. Hopefully that will help me be a better player when I return home to Australia."

Steve Rixon played 13 Tests and six one-day internationals for Australia before entering coaching, including a stint in charge of New Zealand.

"I'll certainly have something to tell my dad who never pushed me into cricket at any stage although has always been there ready with advice should I ask," said Dan.

The advice has been paying useful dividends with Dan emerging through the Sydney Grade Competition with the Sutherland club alongside international team-mates such as Phil Jacques, Steven Smith and Andre Adams.

In 2008, Rixon, a highly qualified coach, dominated the Surrey County League batting charts. He hit 881 runs at an average of 62.93, including three hundreds, for the Merrow club.

This weekend, as well as facing a second round Scottish Cup tie, Accies are at West Lothian in the Championship.

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