Connor Poulton humbled to lead PINT CC in season 2025

PINT Cricket Club’s newest A-grade captain Connor Poulton says he couldn’t get enough of the Top End and is humbled by his new gig. Get to know Connor here.

Connor Poulton playing for Essendon CC’s First Grade side in the 2024 season. Picture: Andrew Batsch

At just 22-years-old Connor Poulton has taken over the reins as PINT CC’s A-grade skipper.

A talented wicketkeeper and very handy middle order bat, the Victorian is in his second stint at PINT, returning for season 2025 having fallen ‘in love’ with the Top End.

Currently an up and coming star in Essendon CC’s 1st XI that compete in the Premier Firsts competition in the Victorian Premier League, Poulton said returning to the DDCC was a no-brainer.

“Last year was my first season up here and I just instantly fell in love with the place,” he said.

“You have so much more freedom and less stresses than Melbourne and I genuinely feel like I fit in really well.”

Still a junior in terms of overall cricketing experience, Poulton explained that his desire to play in the Territory stems from the league’s competitiveness.

PINT A-grade captain Connor Poulton. Picture: PINT CC Facebook

“The competition is far more competitive than people might think,” Poulton said.

“There are some seriously talented players in some of the sides that dominate their own respective home comps during the regular season.

“My goal is still to play for Victoria and I have time to get there.

“I know I have to work hard and that’s also one of the major reasons I came up here in the first place, to better myself and my game. And I have improved in the last 12-months and I put that down to my stint here last season.”

The wicketkeeper-batter did say however that he has had to change the way he plays due to the different pitches and humid conditions.

“You have to adapt to the pitches up here as the ball stays low and there isn’t as much pace as say Melbourne,” he said.

“There is also a heap of spinners, so just making sure you play off the back foot and watch the ball closely certainly has helped my batting.

“You also have to keep fit because running between wickets takes its toll.”

Captain by circumstance more so than inheritance, Poulton has taken the role as skipper with open arms, taking over from his good mate Farzan Chowna.

“I wasn’t meant to be the captain but Farzan is still out injured, so the club gave me the opportunity and I wasn’t going to turn them down,” he said.

“I’m humbled to have been given the role as skipper and it’s something I’m proud of.”

And while PINT have yet to really hit the ground running in their 2025 campaign, Poulton said he has belief in his playing group.

“We haven’t had a full strength squad as of yet for various reasons which has seen us have a slow start to the season,” he said.

“But, I genuinely believe that we have the ability to match it with the best, especially Tracy Village who look really strong this year.”

Originally published as Connor Poulton humbled to lead PINT CC in season 2025