New City president opts for all-rounder Sam Grant as best overseas star

The Phoenix has twice had the leading run-scorer in that time, so The Border Mail contacted Green for his opinion.

"As a club Sam Grant has been the best of them for us, he is the one with bat or ball that can change a game dramatically," he offered.

"If you say who's contributed off the field Sam's been brilliant, if you say who can change a game, certainly Sam can."

Grant wasn't able to play this season due to COVID.

In his 58 games, including eight T20s, the left-hand bat and left-arm quick hit 1309 runs at 27, with eight half-centuries, while he snared 79 wickets at 18.

"We'd love to have Sam back, just as a clubman, we just love him, he's fantastic for our club," Green said.

The Phoenix has had three nationalities from its four gun batsmen.

Englishman Saif Zaib was just 19 when he finished third in the run-scorers in 2017-18, with 519 runs at 40.

"He was the most classical batsman that we've had, he was the most technically correct," Green revealed.

Indian Saurabh Bandekar topped the batting the following season with 843 at 56, including a ton and seven half-centuries.

"'Bandy' was the best at crafting an innings, he would work his way into it and then pick a bowler and take them apart, normally a spinner," Green explained.

Zimbabwean Tarisai Musakanda was leading the run-scoring midway through last season with 400 at 57 when sacked for drink driving.

"'Tari' was the most explosive, he was the hardest hitter of a cricket ball I've ever seen. He used to give a couple of chances in the first 10 overs, but the ball would be going that hard, good luck catching it," Green said.

"If you look at his numbers, he was a bit all or nothing because he just hit the ball that hard."

Former Indian Premier League batsman Shoaib Shaikh arrived this season from Shepparton and bolted in the most runs with 836 at 60, including three tons.

"The sound off his bat is like nothing else, I have never seen anyone else like it, it just literally sounds like a gunshot," Green offered of the classy right-hander.

ALSO IN SPORT:

So of those four specialist batsmen, who would Green pick if the team needed a ton in a grand final?

"It would be out of Shoaib and Saurabh, for pure striking ability you'd day Shoaib," he said.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

Green says Shaikh will return next season.