Darley West Indian import Danza Hyatt has wasted no time making an impact on the Ballarat Cricket Association first grade.
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The aggressive batsman has shown exactly why he has played at international level, sending bowlers to all parts of the field in his opening two twenty20 innings.
Hyatt burst onto the scene with 76 runs off 56 balls against Golden Point, amazingly Hyatt had been in the country for just over 24 hours as he took to the reigning premiers’ bowling attack.
Last week saw another quickfire contribution, hitting 45 off 29 against Napoleons-Sebastopol as the Lions made it three wins on the trot.
The 35-year-old has lined up against some of the best sides in the world in his time at the top level, playing matches against Australia, England and India, even facing the thundering pace of Brett Lee. He is hoping his knowledge and experience can help not only the club’s youth, but the club as a whole – Hyatt eager to get his hands dirty in helping develop the club.
“I look at it as a job for me to get the young guys, even the older folk, to hopefully learn – hopefully they can learn from what I have to offer,” Hyatt said
“Playing at the top level among some of the world’s best, you learn from them.
“The club has been brilliant so far.”
The dynamic Hyatt has had that ‘see ball, hit ball’ mentality from a young age.
“When I was a young kid, I remember Bob Simpson came to Jamaica to attend an under-23 camp and he said whenever a ball is there to be hit, hit it rather than trying to survive.”
Hyatt has experienced the Australian conditions before, playing in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association last season.
He said he thoroughly enjoys experiencing another culture and his passion for cricket was still burning strongly, hence his desire to make the trip down under.
“It’s always a good experience for me to enjoy a different culture and a different level of cricket.
“I’m still raring to play cricket at any level that’s put in front of me. I still try and keep fully fit and keep my mind fit and enjoy my cricket.”
Darley will face Ballarat-Redan this weekend in another winnable game, searching for its fourth successive victory.