COMEBACK VETERANS PRODUCE THE GOODS
Age shall not weary them.
You could say that about a host of former Manly cricketers who regularly answer SOS calls at this time of the year as we attempt to overcome the loss of so many players due to rep commitments, holidays and injury.
It’s not unusual to see up to up to 25 players on our unavailable list in January – and that’s where the boys of past summers come into play.
I’m talking the likes of Matt Cranney, Jack Ritchie, Ross Trewartha, Scott Patterson, Aidan Baker, John Warn, Justin Cox…the list goes on.
Not only do these ex-players help us plug the holes in numbers, they invariably produce the goods.
Take “Loose” Cranney for example.
I’m not sure how long it’s been between grade games for Matt but he came out in fours last week and smoked them with a brilliant 71 at the top of the order.
All the other players I’ve mentioned here – and many more – have produced similar stand-out performances when called off the bench.
I think it speaks volumes for the club’s culture that these blokes are not only willing to put their hand up to help out, but want to make a difference when they’re out in the middle.
Not only that, they’re also more than willing to impart some of their cricket IP on our younger players and share some old school stories over a drink at the end of the day’s play.
Thanks fellas. Your contribution is much appreciated.
AB STILL GETTING IT DONE
What can I say about Ahillen Beadle that hasn’t already been said before?
The great man just keeps getting the job done, as evidenced by his terrific unbeaten century against Parramatta last Saturday.
AB helped dig us out of a hole and reach 7/230 by the end of the day’s play on a pitch not overly conducive to batting.
It was his ninth ton for the club and resulted him deservedly claiming the player-of-the-week award.
In making it to three figures, AB reached 5721 career runs to go past Paul Brenner and into 26th position on the list of the club’s all-time run-scorers.
Now in his 11th season at the Tahs, AB has been a major contributor on and off the field and a guy you can rely on in a crunch situation.
His knock against Parra has given us a real chance of picking up first innings points when the game resumes.
GET IN QUICK FOR MITCH STARC GOLF DAY
Only a week or so to go (February 3) until we swap bats for drivers at our annual Styleness golf day at Long Reef.
It all starts with breakfast at 7am followed by an 8am tee-off then lunch at 12.30pm where the great Mitchell Starc will be our special guest speaker.
Starcy’s finger injury has delayed his departure to India to join our Test squad, but the silver lining is he will be at Long Reef following some tough negotiations with that high-profile manager of his.
Mitch will tell us all about his journey from junior cricket to the Australian line-up and take a few questions from the audience.
He will no doubt touch on his dream of turning out in the Manly colours one day.
You can book for the golf/lunch package or the lunch only but be quick as tickets are selling fast.
You’ll find all the information here: MWDCC 2023 Golf Day – Manly Warringah District Cricket Club (manlycricket.com)
