Sun, Sea And Sand Is Just The Tonic For Bollinger

Like most ‘fair dinkum Aussies’ Doug Bollinger enjoys a day at the beach, yet for this summer at least the Kent pace bowler has had to swap Bondi Beach for the delights of Herne Bay. He’s enjoyed it, too!

Bollinger has been joined on his summer stint in the Garden of England by wife Tegan, as well as their daughter Skye (4) and son Liam (1) who, during their dad’s lay-off with a shoulder injury, have all been getting to know the East Kent coastline.

“I run down the beach most mornings and the kids love it down here too,” said Bollinger. “It’s been great down here with the sun out and living down near the water.

“We’ve also been doing a few touristy things. We took the kids to Peppa Pig World and to Legoland last weekend. I didn’t go on any of the scary rides – I don’t do roller coasters – but I had a blast with the kids on those mini-helicopters. It’s so good to see their happy faces.

“It’s rare for any cricketer to spend time with the family in the middle of a season, so although this for me has come about through injury you take it for what it is and make the best of it.”

Bollinger injured his shoulder when trying to make his ground when batting in the tied NatWest T20 Blast match against Glamorgan in Cardiff, but is now looking forward again to doing what he does best: bowling hard and fast.

“I dived trying to prevent the run out and landed on my shoulder and it soon got a bit swollen and bruised, hence the lay-off,” said the 33-year-old with a dozen ‘baggy greens’ to his name.

“I’ve had an injection into the joint to help the healing process and a few weeks off to freshen up, so touch wood I’ll be fine now. Injuries are inevitable in what we do for a living and I’ve certainly had more serious issues than this, but I’ve come up pretty good from it.

“I had two bowling sessions out in the middle at Canterbury last week and it all felt pretty good, so hopefully I can kick on from here for the rest of the summer.

“I’m looking forward to be playing again and playing in the 50-over format. You don’t get much of a look in as a bowler in T20, as that’s the nature of the beast, but in these longer games you can give it a good go up front then maybe come back and pick up another couple at the death.

“The lads have been in great form while I’ve been out, and in fact they might not even need me back,” added Bollinger, with tongue firmly in cheek. “But it’ll be nice coming back into a winning dressing room and playing in a team full of confidence.

“I’m keen to give this new format a go but, as a preference, I love playing in the creams and with the red ball. But T20 and this new competition will bring out the crowds and entertainment is really what the game’s all about isn’t it?”

Mark Pennell