Perth Doo'cot Cricket Club's new overseas amateur Joel Rush shines in season-opening victory against Kinloch

He had just been introduced to his new team-mates.

But Joel Rush wasted little time in becoming a popular figure at Doo’cot Park on Saturday.

Rush, Perth’s overseas amateur this season, produced a knock of 129 off 117 balls in the curtain-raising fixture against Kinloch having arrived just a few days prior. That set the Fair City side well on the way to victory.

“It wasn’t too bad,” smiled Rush, of St George CC in Sydney. "It was bloody cold so the first 30 runs I was so stiff.

“I got into a bit of a flow and then hit my stride right at the end of the innings. It kind of just exploded which always feels nice.

“You go into the game hoping that they made the right signing. There is a bit of pressure to show that is the case. So Saturday takes the pressure off.

“It was a good all-round performance from the team. Good bowling backed it up.

“On a pitch that was able to score 275, we rolled them for 140. Not anyone can just do that.

“But there are things we need to work on to polish it up and do well against the top teams.”

Despite still getting to know his team-mates fully, Rush, who has previously spent time playing with Dundee HSFP, sees an abundance of potential.

He explained: “We have a couple of young guys who are really talented, like Olly Patterson.

“On their day they seem to be able to do something special, as Olly showed.

“Signing Saffy [Safyaan Sharif] is a big one for the club. He has experience and know-how from through the years. It is looking like a very solid team.”