Collendina vice-captain Corey Walter says the 4-0 Cobras have a nice blend of youth and experience this summer

Linking the generations together has been a high point of a gun BPCA batter’s return to the Cobras, even if his first game back was one personally to forget.

Linking the generations together has been a high point of Corey Walter’s strong return to Collendina this summer so far as the Cobras enjoy a 4-0 start to the BPCA A2 season.

The only downer for Walter, who moved back to his home club after a stint at Marshall, was being run out for a duck in his return match against Drysdale and an ongoing elbow issue which has curtailed his bowling to a degree.

However, Walter has enjoyed playing with the sons of men he used to rub shoulders with a decade ago at the Snake Pit, including Angus Peters, son of premiership player Richie, and 17-year-old Jack Every, son of Des who is still going around in the second grade.

Corey Walter returned to Collendina this summer after a stint with Marshall. Picture: Alan Barber

“It’s been really good, we’ve got a good mix of young talent and then a few of us senior guys,” Walter said.

“The kids are going great ... they’re probably the reason we’re going so well.

“We’ve got a good mix at the moment and it seems to be working well. The kids have been awesome for us.”

He said the younger Peters had shone with the ball for the Cobras, taking eight wickets at 12.6, including a brace in Round 4 as Collendina skittled Surfcoast for just 75 runs.

Every junior has provided some quick, middle order runs, too: a 29-ball 42 with four sixes, in a Round 2 win over St Leonards, and an unbeaten 29 off 40 balls in the opening match.

Collendina cricketers Ted Farrell, Stan Grazotis and Oliver Terhorst, Picture: Collendina Cricket Club.

“He made a difference in a few games,” Walter said of Every.

Meanwhile, fellow youngster Aidan Foard is averaging 27 with the blade.

Walter’s own form has been strong, posting an unbeaten 90 in Round 2 (“I put it on myself to bat through the innings that day”), followed by scores of 24 and 34.

And with the ball, he’s collected eight wickets at 10.7 — enjoying the chance to bowl with a two piece ball, albeit on narrower hard wickets.

Stan Grazotis has been a great recruit for Collendina. Picture: Collendina Cricket Club.

“I probably shouldn’t be bowling, I’ve got a crook elbow,” he said.

“I’m just trying to manage that.

“The elbow’s fine with the bat, it’s just the bowling aspect that it flares up every now and then.

“I need to get it cleaned out. The pain’s manageable at the moment which is good.”

“The body’s not what it used to be so I was pretty sore that day (making 90 not out) after batting for the 40 overs.”

He also said recruit Grazotis had brought another dimension to the team with his left arm spin.

Collendina next face Wallington in a two-day fixture at home.

Originally published as Collendina vice-captain Corey Walter says the 4-0 Cobras have a nice blend of youth and experience this summer