Cricket was always in his blood, but a stint playing in the Goulburn Valley might not always have been on Ragu Aravinthan’s itinerary.
The 20-year-old opening batsman has been affiliated with Surrey county cricket in his native England for more than half his life and arrives at Numurkah to take part in his maiden Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield campaign.
“It started with my dad playing, then my big brother and myself after that,” Aravinthan said.
“When (my brother) was training, I’d constantly ask if I could do this or that and, of course, things get competitive as you get older.”
Aravinthan was playing in Sydney a year ago for UNSW during the summer, but a mutual friend of Numurkah skipper Tim Arnel convinced him to bring his services to the Goulburn Valley for the 2023-24 season.
“I got introduced to Tim through my Ashtead mate. He told me about Numurkah and about facilities and the club itself,” Aravinthan said.
“As soon as he told me, it was like, ‘let’s get ready for that’, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Aravinthan credits the early family influence, as well as the support of his parents, to chase full-time cricket ― acknowledging it wasn’t always simple for two parents to transport three playing siblings ― with his decision to go for this career.
“I played in the UK for Ashtead and played in the Surrey system since I was nine,” Aravinthan said, detailing his beginnings as a player within the game.
“I had a pretty good season when I was 15, playing in the Royal London Under-15 Cup and the Surrey academy director asked me if I could play an under-18 cup final as well.
“When we won, that created a little spark to tell me ‘This could go well’.”
Eventually reaching Surrey reserves cricket, injury would hamper Aravinthan’s spell in the side, but the opportunity to share changerooms with the likes of England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes serves him in good stead.
“It was good just to see how the pros go about their game,” Aravinthan said.
“He was there for my first reserves game and I just thought the experience and knowledge they can bring is so useful.”
Having touched down in Australia less than 48 hours prior to his first appearance last weekend against Kyabram ― and dealing with lost luggage ― one could forgive his dismissal for six on debut.
However, Aravinthan relished the win and was quickly convinced this side could go deep in the competition.
“I think we stand a great chance for finals,” Aravinthan said.
“I’ve only been around a week, but Tim’s said plenty about the talent we have and Riley (Dawson) scoring a 50 like he did tells me we have a strong chance.
“I didn’t even have my baggage with me at the weekend game, it never came through at the claim, so they said they’d call me and then Saturday morning it suddenly rocked up at the front door.”
When contemplating the idea of making Numurkah, or the Goulburn Valley at large, a regular feature of his cricketing calendar, Aravinthan was open despite the rocky start to his time Down Under this season.
“I’d need to give it a bit of thought, see how we do as a club, but if they want to have me back I’ll put it on,” Aravinthan said.
“I’ve only had four days here so far, but I’m loving it.”
Numurkah’s (1-1-0) unbeaten start will be put on the line Saturday when it plays host to winless Old Students (0-2) at Numurkah Showgrounds.