Andrew Chalkley is scoring runs for fun so far this season, so what’s his secret

Kew has looked every bit this year’s Subbies premiership favourite, with Andrew Chalkley scoring runs for fun. What’s his secret?

Andrew Chalkley in action for Kew in the VSDCA.

Kew has taken the VSDCA North-West group by storm and Andrew Chalkley is leading the charge.

The runs have flowed fast and plentifully in the opening three games of the season for the premiership contenders.

Chalkley has taken full advantage, knocking in scores of 105, 70 and 114, to average 96 and sit on top of the Subbies run charts.

Saturday’s 114 against Taylors Lakes came in just 78 balls and included 13 boundaries and four sixes, his Round 1 ton took just 67 deliveries.

The former Richmond Premier Cricket batsman amassed 570 runs and the club best-and-fairest in his first season at Kew and believes the level of comfort at Victoria Park is a key to his success.

Andrew Chalkley in action for Kew against Plenty Valley.

“The fact we’ve got such a strong batting line-up, it’s given me the freedom to play quite aggressively,” he said.

“Having a power play for 15 overs is the other thing that’s really helped, only being able to have two blokes out while the ball is new is a big advantage for the batsman.

“Being able to play with three of my close mates and getting Browny (Matt Brown) into the club as well might be a reason why things are going better than usual.

“Having a few more of my mates playing has bumped my level of engagement up.”

New recruits Will Sheridan and John Hastings are close friends with Chalkley and Kew captain-coach Chris Weeks.

Cousin Tom Chalkley is also a key member of the First XI.

After opening for most of last season, Chalkley has batted at No.3 this season with great success.

It may never have happened if not for Sheridan tweaking his back in the warm-up before the Round 1 clash against Plenty Valley.

Andrew Chalkley plays a reverse sweep for a boundary.

“It’s funny, we joked after Round 1 whether we were going to keep it but I think while it’s working we’ll just leave it the way it is,” Chalkley said.

“Those two at the top of the order (Brown and Sheridan) have done an awesome job … when runs are getting scored there’s no pressure on one particular person at the crease.”

Kew has surpassed 250 runs in each of the opening three games – the only club in the group to achieve the feat – and hasn’t given up more than 199 to an opponent.

Chalkley’s impact hasn’t been limited to batting either, picking up a brace with the ball in the opening two matches and 0-22 on Saturday.

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“I’ve picked up a couple of junk-time wickets, it’s made the stats look alright,” he joked.

“I’ve always pestered every captain I’ve played under to bowl me more.

“I think the first round and Saturday would be a few of the only times I’ve bowled all my overs, I think I bowled eight straight on the weekend, which was good.”

Chalkley and Kew will look to keep their strong run of form going against Coburg on Saturday and face Yarraville in the final game before Christmas.