Above: Sugeesha Dinushan, left, and Ben Miller, with coach Mick Torney, Jason Williams and Simon North, hope to make an immediate impact for the Lions this season.
By David Nagel
“WHACK” … the familiar sound of leather meeting willow and the smell of freshly mown grass can mean only one thing … cricket season is fast approaching.
Reigning WGCA District Divisionpremiers, Pakenham, hopes two returning locals and some quality recruits can guide it to more success in Premier Division cricket this season.
New captain-coach Mick Torney (ex Berwick) and assistant Jason Williams (ex-Cranbourne) return to the Lions’ den after playing turf cricket in 2010/11. They take over the reins from last season’s leaders, Dom Paynter and Ben Maroney.
Torney, 35, an aggressive left-hand, middle-order bat and medium-pace bowler, has a proud history at Pakenham, playing a key role in two of the club’s three consecutive flags between 1998 and 2001. It’s the bond formed through those years that was the key to his appointment.
“Ben (Maroney) and I played a lot together. I came down to watch last season’s grand final and we spoke about the possibility of coming back to play, it went from there,” Torney said.
So how have the still-playing Paynter and Maroney accepted the new coach after their success of last season?
“They’ve been awesome, both of them have given up a lot to get players back to the club, I can’t speak highly enough of them,” Torney said.
Williams, a classy batsman, off-spinner and gifted wicketkeeper, summed up the pre-season feeling at the club.
“I don’t know what other clubs are doing, but we have enough talent here that if we play to our ability, we’ll be competitive with anyone,” he said.
Torney’s link to the past won’t only be seen on-field this season. Simon North, a fast bowler from those halcyon days, will be the chairman of selectors and bowling coach.
In addition to Torney and Williams, Pakenham has recruited well with the inclusion of fast bowlers Paul Gramc and Ben Miller from Kooweerup.
And Sri Lankan top-order bat and left-arm orthodox spinner Sugeesha Dinushan walked in late last season and has impressed with the flight and guile of his bowling.
The WGCA season starts on Saturday 8 October.
