AUSTRALIAN paceman Joel Hamilton thinks the current crop of Grimsby Town CC young guns can fire the club to glory this season.
The talented 24-year-old Queenslander, who arrived at Augusta Street ahead of the 2013 campaign, has enjoyed a successful start to life in the town.
Despite falling to a losing draw against Bracebridge Heath at the weekend, Grimsby still top the Lincolnshire ECB Premier League table.
And Hamilton has been a crucial part of that rise – taking 11 wickets in six matches, at an average of 22.
The Aussie has also shown his class with the bat, striking a useful 43 not out during the victory against Lindum last month.
But he is not the only one in good form – youngsters Harry Clewett, Steven Crossley and Harry Warwick have all instigated Grimsby triumphs.
Hamilton told the Telegraph: "Grimsby is a nice place and I have settled in very well. It's obviously not as busy as Brisbane, but everyone is really making me feel welcome.
"We have a bit of momentum and have to keep that going. We need to keep the hunger up and, if the top order can fire, we can do really well.
"There are lots of good players in this league, but it's probably not quite what I am used to with it being a small area. And there are some very good young players here as well.
"We have a great backbone to this club – there are lots of good blokes coming through. If I can help them in any way possible, that is what I will look to do.
"If the likes of Crosser (Steven Crossley) and the two Harrys (Warwick and Clewett) can keep going, they are in with a shout of being called up for Lincolnshire.
"That will only help Grimsby. Hopefully they can help us rack up another three or four wins on the spin, and extend our lead at the top."
While Hamilton has enjoyed a promising first month at Grimsby, he is aware of the changes he will need to make to his game.
Hoping to eventually push for first-class selection in his native country, the tall seamer is hoping to develop his all-round skills in England.
Hamilton added: "The pitches are much slower and lower over here, so I have had to adapt to that pretty quickly.
"It's much hotter in Brisbane, so you get a lot more pace and bounce from the decks.
"English conditions force you to bowl a little bit fuller, but at the same time that will hopefully allow me to swing the ball a bit more.
"That challenge will only help improve me as a cricketer. It is great for me to work on those things.
"I would love to play first- class cricket, but it's very tough to get in the set-up in Queensland. They only give out 20 contracts each year, and there are lots of good fast bowlers."
Hamilton and Grimsby will be looking to strengthen their title aspirations when they entertain strugglers Haxey, at Augusta Street on Saturday.
