Major Milestones for James Aitken and Nuwan Whyte
James Aitken passes 8000 Bears’ runs
In First Grade’s round 11 victory over Fairfield Liverpool, James Aitken notched up his 8000th run for the Bears.
Since joining the Bears in the 2002/03 season and claiming cap 569, James has amassed over 8,029 runs at 27.59. 6,428 of those runs have been scored in the top grade to see James sitting fifth on the club’s all-time First Grade run-scorers’ list. He has notched up 7 centuries and 47 fifties for the Bears, with his top score of 142 coming in a victory over an Easts side boasting internationals David Warner, Peter Nevill and Will Sommerville.
James is one of just nine players in the history of Sydney Grade Cricket to have scored a First Grade century before turning 20 and another after turning 40.
James’ canny medium pacers have proven a lethal weapon in recent seasons. His 123 wickets for the club have come at 25.37 apiece with 57 claimed in First Grade. He has been particularly effective over the past two seasons, capturing 59 wickets at 16.6.
James is a fierce competitor whose passion, work ethic and cricketing nous have seen him reach this landmark.
Nuwan Whyte captures his 100th Bears' wicket
Nuwan Whyte claimed his 100th UTS North Sydney wicket in round 12 against Hawkesbury.
Nuwan joined the club in the 2015/16 season as part of the Green Shield squad. He immediately impressed with his reliable seamers delivered from a high action and was playing Fourth Grade before Christmas.
In 2018/19, Nuwan’s first uninterrupted season at the club, strong Fourth Grade form earned him an extended run in Third Grade and opportunities in the PGs side. He finished that season the club’s fifth highest wicket taker, claiming 32 at 18.69 apiece.
Nuwan was an important part of last year’s grand finalist Poidevin-Gray Shield side. He claimed a remarkable 3/9 from 4 overs in the team’s T20 victory over Randwick-Petersham, and showed his allround abilities with a swashbuckling 30 from 23 balls in the grand final as the team tried valiantly to chase down Fairfield Liverpool’s DLS total.
Overall Nuwan has claimed 102 wickets for the club at an average of 25.51.