BEFORE this week Kevin Costa was just a 45-year-old no-frills opening batsman plying his trade for CYMS in second grade having moved to town midway through 2014.
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Now, he’s Orange’s newest debutant.
Costa - not to be confused with Hollywood superstar Kevin Costner - will make his Bluebaggers’ debut in Orange’s Western Premier League clash with Mudgee tomorrow, which also doubles as the final round of President’s Cup.
Costa represented the Orange Colts last Sunday, also against Mudgee, and knocked up a well constructed 29. He said knowing a bit about Orange’s opposition is a big advantage.
With six regulars unavailable - including newly appointed, and now injured, full-time skipper Jackson Coote - and a plague of unavailability surrounding Orange representative cricket, Costa did what many would not - put his hand up to play with no hesitation.
“I’m just happy to be having a game. I understand the team is quite short, so when I got the call I stuck my hand up straight away,” Costa said.
“I played against Mudgee and scored a few, so I know a bit about them at least. They’re a very handy side.
“All three first up bowlers seemed reasonably sharp without being too quick, and they all move the ball through the air. I imagine they’ll be even better at home.”
Costa, a teacher, moved to town midway through this year from the Blue Mountains before linking with CYMS.
“I played a bit of first grade back home, and I’m really enjoying CYMS,” he said.
“It’s a club with a good support structure around, and it seems like a real family oriented club. I wasn’t expecting to get a call up to this team, but really I’m just happy to play cricket at any level right now.”
With rain forecast in Mudgee this weekend, Costa will be praying Victoria Park doesn’t end up his own private Waterworld.
“Yeah, look I get that in every new town I go to,” he laughed. “I think the nickname Waterworld is sticking. The boys could’ve at least chosen a better Kevin Costner movie.”
Play starts at Victoria Park at 10am.
n ORANGE: Matt Findlay (c), Matt Baker, John Warrington, Dave Neil, Max Dodds, Jake Pauletto, Nick Wright, Tom Aggett, Kevin Costa, Andrew Johnson, Chris Novak, Curtis Free.