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Scottish cricketing brothers Chris and Tom Sole have signed for Albury, but the story of how they arrived on the Border beggars belief.
Even co-coach Jerim Hayes says the tale is “a bit bizarre”.
It boils down to three parts; first, Chris meeting a girl from Henty while she was on holiday in Scotland a number of years ago.
Then some enterprising and persuasive spruiking over beers with Paddy Murray when Chris came to Australia in July.
And finally, a last-minute meeting over coffee between Sole and Hayes that resulted in the 22-year-old signing for the club alongside his younger brother.
Hayes’ timing couldn’t have been any better – days after returning to Scotland, Chris was handed an international debut against the United Arab Emirates.
“We weren’t actually looking for an import this season, we were happy to back the guys we have coming through at the moment,” he said.
“But I met with Chris last month, he said his brother was interested in coming over as well, and here we are.”
Chris will open the bowling for Albury and is a solid middle-order batsman, while brother Tom, 20, is a top-order batsman and off-spinner who has been playing county cricket for Northamptonshire’s second XI.
While both arrive at Billson Park as highly rated, young international prospects, Hayes said both would have to be mindful of the high standards of the CAW Provincial competition.
“They’re going to play a good standard of cricket, CAW boasts a very high-standard of competition,” he said.
“They’re aware that they aren’t going to be coming in as superstars.”
The Sole name has been in Scottish sporting folklore ever since the recently-signed brothers’ father David Sole captained the national rugby team to a historic win over England in 1990.
Their sister Gemma Sole is also a capped netballer for their home country.
It’s one hell of a sporting pedigree, something that has Hayes anticipating their arrival.
“We’ve only just got pen on paper, when they’re able to arrive here depends on their schedules,” he said.
Star batsman Alex Popko is set to co-coach Albury alongside Hayes this season.
“‘Poppers’ coming on will give us a bit of a fresh voice and mix things up,” Hayes said.