Sunshine YCW Cricket Club had one thing at the top of its wishlist in the off-season.
Having seen its charge towards victory derailed by top-order batting collapses too often, the Victorian Turf Cricket Association club had its sights locked on an opening batsman.
Not just any opener would satisfy YCW. It wanted to bring in a talent with the guts to see off the new ball, the flair to capitalise on a good start, and years of experience on the big stage.
Every box was ticked when YCW signed Pakistan import Syed Hussain. The 36-year-old is well known around western suburbs cricket clubs where success seemed to follow wherever he went.
Hussain initially made his name with Williamstown CYMS before helping Keilor break a 13-year premiership drought in 2011-12.
Hussain is chasing similar success at his new club, setting the bar high in expectations of himself and his new teammates.
“I’m really loving my time at Sunshine,” he said. “Everyone has certain expectations when they recruit new players. Being a professional, I know why people recruit me.
“I really want to help them [Sunshine] win the flag and get to the next level. We’re fighting hard and going well at the moment; it’ll be exciting to see what happens.”
After finishing seventh on the ladder with just four wins last season, YCW has made its case for being this year’s most improved side.
The club is on top of the table after four rounds and yet to lose a game.
Hussain is averaging a modest 26.7 with the bat, but there’s every indication of a big score around the corner; he’s made a start in each of his knocks.
When faced with a wicket that’s keeping low, or a new ball bowler who’s hitting all the right areas, the opener has a mountain of experience to call on from his playing days in Pakistan.
After a promising junior career, Hussain was snapped up by Lahore, where he led the club’s second XI batting averages for three years.
He was then selected to make his first-class debut for the club in 1998-99.
After initially being apprehensive about being able to handle the jump in class, it didn’t take him long to realise that he belonged at the higher level.
“I made 80-odd in my debut and I felt really proud of myself,” Hussain recalls. “I was a young kid batting against all the best players in the competition.
“I was given some really positive feedback from everyone else in the team as well. That was phenomenal for me.”
Hussain went on to play 38 first-class matches, making 1333 runs, with a top score of 92. He was also selected as part of the Pakistan-A training academy.
When his first-class career finished, he went on to play county cricket in England, before catching the attention of a number of Australian clubs.
While he plans to be out in the middle for a while yet, Hussain has also indicated interest in a future in coaching.
YCW president Shaun Janetzki said his knowledge would prove invaluable.
“He’s enjoying his time at the club and is keen to stay with us for the foreseeable future, which is great news,” Janetzki said. “He has played first-class cricket around the world. Now he’s really looking to settle down and pass on what he has learned.
“That may come in coaching roles at the club, which he’s really keen to be involved with.
“He wants to be able to work with some of these kids and help them take the next step,” Janetzki said.
Sunshine will be looking to maintain its winning start to the season this weekend when it takes on Footscray ANA.
