He was one of Gold Coast baseball’s brightest talents but Alex Hayes is making a fist of cricket switch with Helensvale

He was one of Gold Coast baseball’s brightest talents but Alex Hayes is now proving to be more than a one-trick pony as he guides Helensvale Pacific Pines towards the Kookaburra Cup finals.

HE was one of Gold Coast baseball’s brightest talents but Alex Hayes is now proving to be more than a one-trick pony as he guides Helensvale Pacific Pines towards the Kookaburra Cup finals.

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Hayes, now 24, was a Surfers Paradise A grade baseballer and former Queensland under-18 representative before making a shock switch to cricket for the first time with Helensvale five seasons ago.

The move was rewarded with a first grade debut for the Hawks last season and the left-arm quick’s rise has continued in 2019-20, taking 18 wickets at 23.72 as part of a damaging new-ball pairing with Harry Lickiss (21 wickets at 23.95).

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Together, they have helped fourth-placed Helensvale recover from a disappointing 2018-19 campaign and they can move a step closer to a semi-final berth with victory over winless Alberton Ormeau in their two-day battle beginning tomorrow at Hession Oval.

While Hayes knows his cricket education is far from over, the Paradise Point resident is relishing his new-found responsibility with the Hawks.

Left-arm quick Alex Hayes in action for Helensvale Pacific Pines. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“This is only my second year in first grade and to do it quickly having never played cricket before, it’s something I’m pretty proud of,” Hayes, who moved to the Coast from Tasmania at the age of 10, said.

“I’m definitely happy with how I’ve been going, I’ve surprised myself. (I’m) learning more and getting quicker, that’s the main thing these days (because) I’m more of a swing bowler.

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“Me and Harry at the top have been going alright. We definitely work in unison, we even have a joke at times about who’s going to take more wickets.

“We’re such a young group so we like to have a laugh and have fun but still play to win. I feel if we have a strong push in the last four rounds we’re definitely a big chance (to play finals) and I believe we can win any game that we play.”

Hayes’ new-ball partner, Harry Lickiss. Picture: Jodie Henderson

Despite his promising baseball career, Hayes said he had no regrets about walking away from the game.

“I’d kind of lost the passion for (baseball). I was playing A grade for Surfers so you’d lose the whole weekend because I’d play that on Friday and Sunday and under-18s on Saturday,” he said.

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“There was no real time to do anything (else). The social life, that’s what Helensvale provides as well. Cricket came about with a few of my mates and I’ve been there ever since.

“Everyone at Helensvale gets back to the club after the game to have a beer, whereas baseball you kind of play your game and then just leave. It’s just a good bunch of blokes (at Helensvale) that all have fun.”

ROUND 14 FIXTURES

■ Queens vs. Mudgeeraba Nerang

■ Broadbeach Robina vs. Burleigh

■ Helensvale Pacific Pines vs. Alberton Ormeau

■ Palm Beach Currumbin vs. Coomera Hope Island

■ Runaway Bay vs. Surfers Paradise