Sam Hain believes he will enter the 2023 Vitality Blast for the Bears a better player following his first foray into the Big Bash League in Australia.
Hain is the Bears’ all-time leading T20 scorer with 2,729 runs at an average of 38.43. With 71 sixes and 255 fours already struck for the Bears, fans would happily settle for more of the same in 2023.
But Hain aims to raise the bar again after helping Brisbane Heat reach the Bash final. That was an experience the 27-year-old, who grew up in Australia where his parents still live, describes as “very special”.
“It was amazing,” Hain said. “For mum and dad to have the opportunity to watch their boy play at the Gabba on a Friday night, very special.
“My dad and brothers made the six-hour trip from Brisbane to Perth to watch the final and I just loved it.
“At one stage I was standing out there with Steven Eskinazi, who was playing for the Scorchers, and we looked at each other and said, ‘how cool is this?’ It was an unbelievable final and brilliant to play in front of 53,000.
“It was a special few months. Not many people out there had heard of me when my signing was announced, I’d never seen the word, ‘who?’ so many times.
“But I did okay and, most pleasingly, the occasion didn’t get the better of me. I was really pleased with that because maybe two years ago I would have been overwhelmed by playing in front of family and friends.
“It was my first stint in the Bash and I left with memories that will last a lifetime and content that my cricket improved. It showed me that I can do it outside Birmingham and I think that’s important for my development. It helped me as a person and player and I’ll take that into the Blast for the Bears next season.”
As the Bears strive to take a step beyond their quarter-final place of the last two years, Hain will have some serious power-hitting company in the top order following the signings of Glenn Maxwell, Moeen Ali and, on a short-term deal before Maxwell arrives, Paul Stirling.
“They are great signings,” Hain said. “They bring so much as cricketers but also you can’t put a price on their impact off the field. Their impact will stretch far beyond runs and wickets.”
Over 13,500 tickets sold for T20 quarter-final
For a third year in a row, Bears have secured a home Vitality Blast quarter-final against Gloucestershire on Friday 6 September. And tickets are going fast!
Over 13,500 tickets have already been sold. Adults tickets are available for only £20, if purchased in advance, while U16s are £5.
