PARKO FOLLOWING DOCTOR’S ORDERS
It’s an inevitable part of the game but still a blow when you lose experienced and successful cricketers from your club.
When the Doc – aka fourth grade skipper Andrew Rochford – pulled the plug on his stellar career just a few games into the 2023/4 season, it no doubt left a big hole at the Tahs.
But Rochy stepped down safe in the knowledge his young side would be left in the best of hands.
That was because his reliable deputy Adam Parkinson was there to take the reins.
Not only is “Parko” one of our most experienced players with a great cricket brain, he’s also one of Manly’s all-time greats.
He has scored 4500 runs and taken 260 wickets with his wily leg breaks – and is close to joining the select group of players to the 5000 run/300 wicket club.
And he’s a winner, being a member of four premiership winning sides in third and fourth grade.
Parko – or “Inzy” as he is also known – plays the game with a smile on his face and encourages his players to do the same.
Since taking over from Rochy, the 45-year-old has guided fours to the top of the table.
Last round he scored a quickfire 48 not out to dig us out of a big hole and across the line against Bankstown while managing a hamstring strain.
Adam joined the club in the last century and has been around for the best part of the last 24 years, albeit with a brief break to concentrate on his young family and work.
He can remember the days when we had one coach and there was a concrete square on a good length in one of the two turf practice wickets.
“Now there are coaches with high level experience to assist in all areas of your game, the net facilities and grounds are top class and the administrative areas such as social media presence and sponsorship give the players opportunities,” he told Tah Talk.
“It’s been an easy transition for me taking over fours given the role I played the previous two years with the Doc.
“He set a fantastic structure and culture and anything done this year is an extension of his great work.
“Having a very talented bunch makes it easy to love being around the group. We have a lot of fun and watching their success on the field and personal development/success off the field makes the time spent very fulfilling.”
Parko’s body is feeling it more these days but he reckons the Manly spirit and culture is as strong as it’s ever been.
And he’s certainly not growing tired of winning comps.
After making history last year as the first Tahs side to win back-to-back premierships, don’t rule out the fours adding to that history with a three-peat later this season.
PURE GOLD WEEKEND AHEAD
We are constantly reminded not to take anything for granted in cricket and were given a good reminder of that in Tuesday night’s BBL game between the Scorchers and Sixers.
Set 198 to win in front of the Scorchers’ parochial home crowd at Optus Stadium, not many would have given the Sixers a hope in hell.
But on the back of some Moises Henriques brilliance, which followed a wonderful Daniel Hughes half-century, the men in magenta got the job done on the final ball.
That’s meant a spot in the qualifier final against Brisbane Heat on Friday night on the Gold Coast – and a mad dash for yours truly the next day.
I’ll be there as part of the Sixers coaching staff before catching the 6am Saturday flight out of the Goldy to be at the toss for our two-day grade game against Randwick-Petersham at Manly Oval.
It’s a big game for both teams, with Manly sitting third and Randy-Petes just outside the top six.
They will have Thunder duo Alex Ross and Jason Sangha back while we welcome Ollie Davies’ return.
If you’re in the area, come down and see some quality cricket.
GIRLS ENTER THE TWILIGHT ZONE
Talking of quality cricket, I expect to see plenty of it when the exciting new women’s Twilight League begins later this month.
Open to players of all abilities over the age of 16 – and feeding into our local association teams – matches will be played from late January to early mid-March every Wednesday at Passmore and Nolans Reserve.
This is a collaboration between Cricket NSW and the Waratahs with the ultimate goal being to attract girls into our grade system should they wish to take the step up.
If that’s not for you, then come down and play some enjoyable social cricket.
We believe this is going to be a game changer for women’s cricket on the Northern Beaches and would encourage anyone who has an interest in participating to get involved.
There are more details on the Manly website.
