Josh Hazlewood's appearance for his childhood club, Old Boys, against City United at No.1 Oval on Saturday was never going to be topped. But his elder brother, Old Boys allrounder Aaron, operated under his own powerful spotlight en route to taking 9-18, as City were routed for 68 in the 44th over.
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It was a career-best showing (his previous best was 8-22) that came after he said on the eve of the match that he wanted to impress his "younger bro", in a match he regarded as "special".
Aaron, who soon turns 30, and Josh, who recently turned 28, spoke to The Leader after the match.
Aaron was motivated by his younger brother's presence in the match, which concludes on Saturday. "It's always good to have him back," he said. "I didn't think I'd get to play with him again. So, yeah, it was a pretty good day, actually.
"I've got eight [wickets] before but it's pretty special to get nine [off 20.4 overs]. And I thought I bowled quite well. It's good the big fella [Josh] can catch. Good to have somebody who can catch, finally, in slips … it was a good day out."
Three of his victims were caught by Josh at first slip. And Aaron believes he should have had 10 scalps, telling cricket.com.au: "I reckon I had the 10th too - got him lbw but it wasn't given."
Josh repaid Aaron's pre-match "special" comment by saying his brother's bowling performance on Saturday was "special".
The whole occasion was special. No.1 was bathed in sunshine; a good crowd turned up, including lots of kids; a good vibe rippled around the ground; Aaron roared; Josh hung on to catches; and then Josh finished the day on 31 not out, which included a six over mid wicket that cleared the fence by about 20 metres.
About the only thing that wasn't special was City United, a team dreadfully out of form. Their malaise was epitomised by Tait Jordan, who, when fielding at silly mid on, dropped a skied shot from Josh. As the Australian vice-captain, Bendemeer-raised, strolled through for his 28th run, Jordan, third on the bowling standings this season, was splayed face first on the ground, clearly gutted.
Old Boys finished the day 3-107, having already sealed the minor premiership prior to the final-round clash.
The once high-flying City went into the match in second placed but had lost their three previous contests, and less than 10 points separated them from fifth-placed West Tamworth heading into this round.
Josh, a 44-Test quick with 164 wickets at an average of 27.2, is playing his first match for Old Boys since they lost the 2008 grand final to Norths - his last country match, up until Saturday.
"It was good to see a few kids around," he said of Saturday's crowd. "And obviously a few parents as well. So it was a nice turnout, and I hope it is the same next week [this week]."