Dennington bowler Steve Wythe with his new son Logan Jack, wife Amy and daughter Charlotte, 2.
DENNINGTON paceman Steven Wythe is used to precision bowling but one delivery this week skittled his grand final build-up.
Wythe, wife Amy and daughter Charlotte welcomed Logan Jack into the world on Tuesday at 1pm.
“It (the grand final) has been put second in line,” he said.
The 25-year-old said the lead-up to his first Warrnambool and District Cricket Association division one grand final appearance with Dennington was always going to be significant.
“The little bloke is more exciting at the moment and hopefully on Sunday it’s the grand final.”
Wythe put Dogs co-coach Dustin Drew into a spin on Tuesday when he sent him a text message that read: “Hey mate I have got a major dilemma, they want to induce Amy on Saturday which means I won’t be able to play.”
Drew, who told The Standard he was stressing, replied: “We’ll work it out at training.”
Wythe left his skipper stewing before informing him he would be right to play.
The right-arm opening bowler said he played last weekend’s semi-final thinking Amy was unlikely to go into labour.
But they had talked about what would happen this weekend if Logan hadn’t arrive by then. He would play in the game against Merrivale.
Now Wythe is hoping he will have two reasons to celebrate on Sunday night — his son and a premiership.
Wythe, who is in his third season with Dennington after switching from Macarthur, is no stranger to cricket success. He was a member of three A grade premiership sides with Macarthur, won two one-day finals and an under 16 flag.
“We were pretty lucky at Macarthur,” he said.
“They were all locals.”
In his first season at Dennington, the Dogs lost a tense semi-final to Woodford.
“I think we were a better chance than we thought. I thought we lost the semi-final rather than Woodford winning it. Last year we had to battle all the way. This year when you get off to that good start you can work towards something after Christmas.”
Wythe was a significant contributor in Dennington’s semi-final win over Woodford last Sunday. With his side in trouble last Saturday, he ekked out an unbeaten eight during a 13-run ninth-wicket stand before grabbing 3-28 off 13 overs with the ball. So far this season he has taken 21 wickets at an average of 13.67.
“I’m just a lower order batsman, pretty much when needed,” he said.
“It’s always good when you aren’t needed.”
The Dogs will be hoping that is the case tomorrow when the grand final against Merrivale at Merrivale Recreation Reserve gets under way and finishes on Sunday.