Major Milestones for Tim Reynolds, Sam Alexander
Tim Reynolds Passes 4000 Bears' Runs
On his way to 45* against the Ghosts in round 13, Tim Reynolds brought up his 4,000th run for the Bears – an extraordinary milestone for one aged just 22.
Tim joined the club’s Green Shield side aged 14 and experienced immediate success, helping the side to the 2014/15 finals. Tim quickly ascended the grades, however he suffered a major knee injury between his second and third seasons at the club. Tim returned in top form in 2017/18, claiming First Grade cap number 657 aged only 16. The week after his debut, he was an integral part of the NSW Metro squad that claimed the U17 national championship – his performances highlighted by an innings of 103 against Victoria Country. Tim moved between 1s and 2s over the remainder of that season, however he underlined his potential with an undefeated 138 in second grade to set up a thumping victory over Fairfield-Liverpool.
In 2019/20, Tim made a First Grade spot his own, collecting 375 runs at 34.09, including top-scoring with 92 to facilitate an outright victory over Hawkesbury. That same season Tim was also a member of the NSW Metro squad that claimed the U19 national championship as well as the Bears team who made the PGs Grand Final. The following year, Tim dominated PGs with 277 runs at an average of 92, and he was unfortunate to have his final season in the competition, the following year, cut short by another knee injury.
Of his 4,010 runs (up to the end of Round 13), Tim has scored 1,590 at 35.48 at the top grade, where he is now firmly established as a senior batter. Tim has always had ability to hit big – second only to Justin Avendano in the club-wide six-hitting chart in the MyCricket era, and woe betide a spinner who misses his length! However, in this season in particular, he also shown he can adapt his game to the situation and dig his team out of trouble – his milestone innings, compiled patiently as wickets fell around him, is a prime example. Tim also complements his batting prowess with a rocket arm and brilliant pair of hands in the field, equally at home at bat-pad and on the fence. His catch on the boundary line to turn the T20 match against Sutherland this season will live long in the memory!
Sam Alexander Claims his 100th Bears' Wicket
Left-arm spinner, Sam Alexander, took his 100th wicket in Bears colours when he took the first of his two wickets in Round 13 against Campbelltown Camden.
Sam came to the Bears from Manly in 2018/19 and made his First Grade debut in Round 2 against Penrith, earning cap 664. Before this season, Sam played most of his cricket for the club in Second Grade. However, his consistent performances earned him a recall to the top grade, first in the Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup in 2020/21, with him being our top wicket-taker in the competition in 2021/22, and then the Belvidere Cup.
This season, Sam has made a place in the top grade his own, taking 18 wickets to date. His finest hour of the year, however, came with the bat, when he faced 175 balls for 10 runs and share in a last-wicket stand of 96 with Jimmy Greenslade against Easts in Round 5.
Overall, Sam has taken his 101 Bears wickets at 28.91 apiece, with a best bowling of 4/19 to inspire a bonus point win against Bankstown in the final round of 2018/19.