HILLGROVE batsman Michael Dawson has taken his bat and gone to the motherland, following a washed-out Armidale grand final.
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The young batsman has had an outstanding season with the willow, notching up over 1000 runs in all forms of the game for a third year in a row.
He hit 100 runs in the Armidale competition’s opening round this season, before peaking with a record-breaking 199 on the Emu tour of New Zealand.
That is the most runs scored by an Emu player in any innings, with the record books going back past the 1960s.
He also hit a brilliant 88 in the previous game against Buller.
Dawson has been playing first grade for Hillgrove since he was 14 years old and is now taking his talent overseas.
He flew out yesterday to join the Yorkshire team Heslerton with Tom Benthal.
Heslerton native Benthal has been playing with Hillgrove this season and is taking Dawson home as a souvenir.
“I organised to go back with Tom just before Christmas,” Dawson said.
“I am not too sure what competition they play in but it should be good.”
The opener is looking forward to the T20 competitions over there, thinking he can show some Aussie aggression.
“I will see how I go.
“It will be good to test myself against cricketers from over there.
“Hopefully I can get a few runs.”
The young batsman has been impressive all season, especially in representative cricket.
He was the only batsman to trouble the dominant Tamworth side, top-scoring for Armidale in a couple of tough innings.
He also led the way for Hillgrove this year, playing an integral part in its second minor premiership in as many years.
Hillgrove and Armidale City shared the premiership this year after the final was washed out.
Heslerton’s first game is at the end of April, giving Dawson the opportunity to get used to the English wickets and also do a bit of travel.
To top off his great season and leave on a high, Dawson has also recently been accepted to study PE at UNE.
It is great news for the up and coming star, and also for Hillgrove who would have a hard time filling his spot.
Dawson will play in the UK for six months, returning for another Armidale season and university the following year.
Dawson is also already considering going back to England at some stage.
“If I like it and I am good enough I would love to have a go at playing county cricket one day,” Dawson said.
