VTCA: Spinner Akshat Buch turns heads

IS Akshat Buch the latest in a long line of success-story imports at the Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club?

Buch, a raw 19-year-old from India, broke into the Cats first XI against Old Mentonians on Saturday.

The left-arm orthodox spinner snared three wickets in difficult conditions on debut.

He was chosen on the back of his batting performances in the Cats seconds.

“We gave him an opportunity with ‘Tubby’ [injured batsman Michael Tubb] out,” Cats president Steve McNamara told the Weekly. “He’s been batting well in the seconds and he’s a good left-arm orthodox bowler.”

This could be the tip of the iceberg for Buch.

He’s still young and skinny, so the Cats are keen to get him back to the club next summer with an extra year of cricket under his belt.

“The boy has got some real ability,” McNamara said.

“Given a full season playing ones cricket, I think he will be a sensation.”