ECB National Club Championship final: Turner’s hot streak helps Ormskirk build momentum ahead of Lord’s trip

Calum Turner batting in the semi-final against Knowle & Dorridge

There have been plenty of highlights for Calum Turner in the second half of the season – in more ways than one.

The powerful opener hit his stride as Ormskirk clinched their third successive league title, culminating in a brilliant unbeaten 134 off just 85 balls against Wallasey on Saturday.

And according to Brook Lane insiders, the turning point came when Turner had to bleach his hair as a forfeit for losing the club’s fantasy football league.

Before then, he averaged an excellent 45.94 from 18 innings in all competitions; since then, in 16 innings, he’s made 912 runs at an average of 60.80.

The bad news for Ormskirk supporters is that he plans to get a haircut ahead of Saturday’s ECB National Knockout final at Lord’s.

“I’d like to think it’s nothing to do with it,” he said with a laugh. “I’m trying not to be that superstitious about it.”

Calum Turner – before and after hair bleaching

Period	Runs	Inns	NO	Average
Before bleaching (Apr–Jun)	735	18	2	45.94
After bleaching (Jul–Sep)	912	16	1	60.80

Turner’s average jumped by +14.86 runs per innings after bleaching (45.94 → 60.80).

What is certain is that, causal relationship or no causal relationship, Turner’s streaks coincided with a streak which has proved invaluable to his team. 

Starting with a knock of 61 in the last 16 of the National against Northern, he has failed to pass 40 on just four occasions – no mean feat for an opener who plays half his games on the seamer-friendly Brook Lane track.

He has made two centuries – both in the league, his first Comp tons since joining Ormskirk from Formby after his spectacular 2022 returns – and eight half-centuries.

Sunday’s final-ball drama has overshadowed the first act of Ormskirk’s big weekend, but without the start Turner gave them against Wallasey, the rest might not have happened.

Thanks to his 219-run stand with George Lavelle, captain Gary Knight could declare on 231/2 within 26 overs.

Turner said: “It was something that we set our minds on in the week, that we needed to get 25 points. 

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“I think obviously we were conscious of the weather and it was a definite kind of mentality that we’ve got to get them quickly. 

“I don’t think anyone had it in our heads to do it in 25 overs, but as soon as me and George got going, the wicket was pretty good and we could just carry momentum on through the innings.”

The template for the third title in Ormskirk’s hat-trick has been subtly different to the previous two – thanks to Turner, Knight and Lavelle in particular, along with George Politis, they have been racking up more big scores rather than relying on their bowlers to defend 170 every week. 

Turner reckons this has something to do with their long run in the 40-over format, with its emphasis on power play runs.

“I think what has definitely helped us and myself is being in the National,” he said.

“I think that kind of template of scoring runs quickly early on isn’t far from what happens on a Saturday. 

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“It’s kind of just freed me up a little bit, almost kind of playing with a Sunday mentality on a Saturday and it’s paid off massively.

“The weather has been kind as well, with the wickets being good. 

“But I think it’s just really helped that myself, George and George have managed to get a good platform for everyone else to score heavy runs in quick time.”

Saturday will be Turner’s first trip to the Home of Cricket, and he could well find himself facing the first ball of the game.

“It’s just going to be a massive day for the club,” he said.

“It’s going to be a great spectacle for the Comp and for Ormskirk as a whole.

“I think we’re taking about 500 people down, it’s a really good thing for the community.

“I’m thoroughly looking forward to walking out through the Long Room – it’s an ultimate prize that we deserve because it’s hard to say that we’ve put much of a foot wrong since I joined.”

from Merseyside Cricket Online https://ift.tt/y4dLcIU