MIKE Finan described it as “crazy” how he has gone from being a club cricketer with Flowery Field to starring in county cricket with Leicestershire within the space of weeks.
And the 26-year-old from Dukinfield has made such an impact he has been handed a two-year contract which comes into effect on November 1.
Finan has certainly hit the ground running after only joining Leicestershire in August and appearing in their first three county championship games of September.
There was a debut to remember for the all-rounder who, batting No 11, scored 58 off 46 balls on his debut against Notts at Trent Bridge where he also claimed three wickets.
Finan had four dismissals in a seven-wicket home win against Durham and in his latest match against Middlesex achieved another notable milestone, his first five-wicket haul in an innings.
Opening the bowling, the seamer claimed 5-58 and finished with match figures of 6-93.
“To get five wickets in an innings was fantastic and the 13 wickets I have taken in three games have come at an average of 27 which I am over the moon with,” he said.
“Earlier it was a great thrill, and also a big release, to get my first wicket for Leicestershire,” he said.
Finan is delighted to get the opportunity relatively late to become a county cricketer, having caught the eye after excelling this summer in white ball cricket for Cheshire, revealing he was also wanted by Yorkshire and recently appeared for them in a second-team match against Derbyshire.
“Yorkshire offered me a deal as well which was surreal having a choice of two counties,” he explained.
“Leicestershire were the first county to put faith in me and I also knew a lot of the lads there. It was definitely the right decision.”
Finan is looking forward to becoming a full-time cricketer which means give up his job at Ashton-based Total Cricket where he has worked for five years.
Total Cricket is owned by Flowery Field chairman Dave Williams who Finan describes as a huge influence.
“Dave has been a massive help, both on and off the field. He is a proper good friend as well as being my boss,” he said.
It has been quite a journey for Finan who played for Dukinfield between the ages of nine and 18 and at the same time was in the Lancashire system from Under-14 to U19s.
Finan, who had trials with Northants after being released, admitted at that time he was not good enough. He was in the same age group at Lancashire as Matt Parkinson, Saqib Mahmood and Haseeb Hameed who have all gone on to play for England.
“We had an unbelievable side with many of the players going on to play professionally,” he said.
Finan’s cricket was also disrupted by injury as he was struck by Gilmore’s Groin which needed reconstruction surgery.
He received a lucky break when Cheshire needed a bowler for pre-season nets and Dave Williams out his name forward.
Finan impressed and was selected to play for Cheshire against the MCC pre-season, the start of three years playing in the Minor Counties Championship which he described as an important bridge between club and county cricket.
After leaving Dukinfield, Finan had spells at Prestwich and Delph and for the last five years been at Flowery Field and this season helped them win promotion to the Greater Manchester Cricket League’s premier division for the first time.
Finan added many local clubs have failed to tempt him away from Flowery Field.
He said: “They are the best local club I have been involved with, family orientated and progressive as seen with the new nets they have had this season.
“All the girlfriends and families get involved in the club and my fiancée Sophie helps with teas, the bar and events which are held.
“My six-year-old stepson Roman also plays for the Allstars so my family has invested a lot in the club.”