Steven "Stickman" Adkins, arguably the most likeable cricketer and bloke across the North West, celebrates his 100th A-Grade game this week against Ulverstone. It is a significant milestone and one that should be recognised, for he has overcome a lot of highs and lows to achieve it. Saturday's edition of "The Advocate" featured a story on Adkins and it appears below:
by Chloe Hope
Steven Akdins' cricket season and this, his 100th game, are for his dad.
The Latrobe player's father died while he was away playing cricket in England earlier this year, and he has dedicated this season and today's 100th game to his memory.
He hopes it might be a season like '05-06, when the Dees won the grand final, assisted by a half-century by Adkins, and he won the batting average.
He had matured a bit by then, and knew his own game.
"I know what shots to play now, when I was younger, I played all the shots in the book."
Especially the big ones.
It took a while for Adkins to remember when he debuted in first grade, all his 100 games have been for Latrobe. Probably '97-98, but he has been involved at the club for about 14 years in total, including a stint as second grade captain.
The game itself is quite clear, however. It was against Ulverstone, as it will be today, in one of those surprising quirks of fate.
He went in with Latrobe reeling at 2-4.
"We got beatern, I think I scored nine or ten," Adkins remembered his baptism of fire.
Despite being a regular first grade player for years and vice-captain, Adkins said he still waits nervously each week to see if he's in.
He's had disappointments, like being dropped from the semi-final team in 2004-05, but he has remained at the club.
"Because I love it".
And no regrets for Adkins, he wouldn't change a thing.
He made a lifelonf friend when he came from playing at Sassafras with his dad to Latrobe to play at the next level.
First grade captain Paul Dickson is a few years younger, and Adkins took him under his wing.
Earlier this year he was best man at Dickson's wedding, and the pair have toured England playing cricket twice together.
Adkins won't quit cricket cold turkey, he reckons he'll see this year out, how he feels, how he plays.
Perhaps he'll go back to captaining second grade at some point, but he'll never walk out on the club.
It's his life, and he has served it faithfully for 100 first grade games. Weather permitting.
(End of Article)
Congratulations Stickman!
Steven Adkins - First Grade Record
100 matches
102 innings, 10 not outs, 1402 runs at 15.23
3 50's, Highest Score 57 (v Burnie-Yeoman 05/06 Grand Final)
65 overs, 12 maidens, 246 runs against, 12 wickets at 20.50
Best Bowling 3-7
32 catches