ACT Comets spinner Shane Devoy has written himself into the history books with an incredible nine-wicket haul and hopes it's the catalyst for a professional contract in the Twenty20 Big Bash League.
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Devoy finished with figures of 32.1-2-98-9 as the Comets bowled out the South Australian second XI for 250 in its second innings to record an 88-run victory in the Futures League match at Adelaide's Gliderol Oval on Thursday.
It's the best bowling in an innings for a men's ACT representative team, beating the previous record set in 1934-35, and second overall in the history of the Futures League behind Canadian international John Davison (9-67 for Victoria against South Australia in 2001-02).
The 24-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner claimed the final nine wickets of the innings after paceman Ben Oakley took the first.
Devoy knew he would have to play a major part on a deteriorating fourth-day pitch for the Comets to have any chance to secure their first outright victory of the season.
''The game was pretty much set up for me,'' Devoy said.
''They had a lot of left-handers in their batting line-up and getting to bowl last on it, I guess it was all stacked in my favour.
''I wasn't thinking numbers until the game was over.
''It was more about getting the next bloke out and come home with the points.''
Devoy's performance is certain to catch the attention of Twenty20 Big Bash teams across the country.
He will also be in contention to claim a spot in the Prime Minister's XI team to face England at Manuka Oval on January 14.
One player from the ACT first-grade competition traditionally receives a place in the invitational side. Comets captain Jono Dean took his chance last season, smashing 51 from 40 balls against the West Indies on his way to earning a Big Bash contract with the Adelaide Strikers.
''I'd absolutely love to play in the Big Bash, it'd be fantastic,'' Devoy said.
The ACT Meteors will be looking to replicate the Comets' feats when they face the NSW Breakers in a Women's National Cricket League Twenty20 match at Robertson Oval, Wagga, on Friday.
■ WNCL Twenty20: ACT Meteors v NSW Breakers at Robertson Oval, Wagga Wagga, Friday, 6pm.
Top five ACT men's rep figures
■ 9-98: S Devoy v South Australia under-23s, 2013-14
■ 8-10: L Lees v Illawarra Suburbs, Manuka, 1934-35
■ 8-21: M Byrnes v Queanbeyan & District, Canberra, 1924-25
■ 8-37: L Lees v Singleton, Henson Park, 1938-39
■ 8-40: J Tickner v Cooma, Cooma, 1922-23
