Ryan Kurtz is a man quietly building form in a dominant Cavaliers side, but he’s doing so out of the limelight.
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He’s not been cracking swashbuckling hundreds or taking bags of wickets – in fact he’s hardly been required with the ball at all – but has subtly been going about his business.
He made a very handy 32 in Cavs’ first Royal Hotel Cup game last month, and in Orange District Cricket Association’s first grade has hit 47 and 72, with a 60 last week for Orange in the Western Zone Premier League win over Dubbo.
That 60 was Orange’s top score, but his 72 for Cavs wasn’t close to being the top score for the game – Kurtz had a front-row seat to watching teenager Kaleb Cook score 156 and then fellow junior Bailey Ferguson score 110 not out after Kurtz was dismissed to help lead the side to 4-388 against Orange City.
Seeing juniors step up is something Kurtz has enjoyed.
I don’t know much about the Bathurst City boys but I'm sure it will be a tough game and a good game.
- Ryan Kurtz
“It was good to watch Kaleb and Bailey go at it , it was awesome, Kaleb went really well for a flawless 150 and Bailey was pretty much flawless for his 110 as well,” Kurtz said.
Cavs are yet to lose a game this season, with two wins in ODCA’s top grade and a very impressive win over reigning champions Centennials Bulls in round one of the Royal Hotel Cup.
Kurtz is hoping for more of the same in this Friday night at Wade Park as Cavs take on Bathurst City in the Twenty20 competition, but Kurtz said he’s just “stoked to be a part of it”.
“We haven’t spoken too much about the game yet but we’re feeling pretty good about it,” he said.
“I don’t know much about the Bathurst City boys but I'm sure it will be a tough game and a good game.”
He said despite his 32 and handy hits from skipper Matt Corben and Wes Lummis, Kurtz said the side’s first Royal Hotel Cup win was built on bowling and suspected that would be the case again.
“Definitely, the [first Royal Hotel Cup] game was up in the air and they could have got going but (Josh) Doherty bowled 0-9 off four overs and got us off to a good start,” he said.
Kurtz himself hasn’t had too much to do with the ball this season, with the leg-spinning all-rounder not called upon as often in the shorter formats and Cavs getting the job done in longer formats without his tweakers.
Meanwhile, in the Orange side new arrival Mitch Black has meant Kurtz – nor any other bowler, really – has been needed.
“In that side with Mitch Black tearing it up I haven’t really been needed. I’ve really enjoyed watching him clean up,” he said.
Friday night’s Royal Hotel Cup game kicks off from 7pm at Wade Park.
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Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
