SOMETIMES injuries have a silver lining.
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For Allansford, they've given a glimpse into the future.
Two bright prospects - Ethan Boyd and Myles McCluggage - were drafted to debut alongside their fathers Ben and Sam in division one on Saturday.
They joined fellow junior Sam Artz, who was joined by his dad, Denver, as Allansford fell just short of Brierly-Christ Church.
It meant half of the Gators' top-grade side was made up of father-son combinations after injuries ruled out several key players.
I had the call from 'Gooma' (Sheen) on Friday morning and was pretty stoked that I'd be playing with Dad.
- Myles McCluggage
Both Allansford co-captains, Brad Sheen (hamstring) and Luke Ryan (groin), missed while wicketkeeper Rowan Ault (hamstring) was also unavailable.
Myles, a boarding student at Ballarat Clarendon College, was thrilled to line up alongside his father in the top grade after weeks together in division two.
"I had the call from 'Gooma' (Sheen) on Friday morning and was pretty stoked that I'd be playing with dad," he said.
"You could definitely feel the pick up in standard but it was good fun. It was a good day."
Myles hoped to hold his division one place but pointed to Allansford's fleet of players set to return in coming weeks.
"I'd love to keep playing but there's still a few blokes to come back from injury so we'll see what happens," he said.
Ethan, who had previously been 12th man in the Gators' top side, opened the bowling with his father.
The 15-year-old relished the opportunity to take the field and finished with two wickets.
"It was good having him up the other end - I just trusted that he'd bowl well," Ethan said.
"I'll keep playing the role I'm given and keep doing that to my best ability I guess."
Allansford faces Woodford on Saturday.
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