PLAYERS and supporters of Lewdown Cricket Club would have kept a keen eye on events in Australia as their former player Kyle Abbott bowled South Africa to victory and took nine wickets in the match.

In the first innings of the Test match Australia were bowled out for 85, their lowest ever home score against South Africa. Abbott took three wickets in the first innings and then six in the second innings as they won by an innings and 80 runs. He ended with match figures of 9-118.

Abbott was with Lewdown as a raw 18 year-old in the 2006 season when Lewdown were in the Devon D Division.

However, the success of their former player has also been mirrored at the club which now plays in the A Division and which had a best ever fifth place finish last season.

Newly elected club captain Harry Geering said: ‘We are a progressive club with three senior teams and a growing junior set up. We are proud to be playing at such a high level against many town based teams. We always welcome new players who wish to test themselves in the tough leagues that we play in and nothing would delight us more than to have another former player performing on the Test arena.’