Top award a surprise for Wests’ McCarthy

SHAUN McCarthy praises professionalism at Western Districts for helping him to TCI Player of the Year honours.

Shaun McCarthy. Photo: Nev Madsen

CRICKET: Shaun McCarthy wasn’t expecting to be name TCI Player of the Year, but it is an honour befitting the Western Districts spearhead.

McCarthy finished tied in the voting with teammate Sam Neale, something that surprised the competition’s leading wicket taker.

“I was very taken aback. Honestly if I was to think about it, I’m a little surprised,” McCarthy said.

“I didn’t think my name would be in the running. I thought Sam was fully deserving, his season was nothing short of spectacular.

“Even Brian’s (May) season was consistently wonderful as it always is.

“It felt like I had a good season, but I didn’t think it was particularly a TCI Player of the Year season.

“It is quite the humbling honour and the first time I’ve won it.

“It’s a bit difficult to wrestle it off Brian who has won it so many times. That’s how I found it, he sent me a message. It was nice to hear it from him, and he could’ve easily won it.”

For McCarthy, he focuses on the goals of the team as opposed to himself.

“I don’t play the game to win individual awards,” he said.

“It is nice to be recognised for having a good season and I’m sure everyone feels that way. I’m always happy just to play my part, whether that’s for Wests, Toowoomba or higher rep teams first and foremost.”

It’s a part of the reason why Western Districts have enjoyed so much success in recent years, including claiming five of the last seven TCI A-grade titles.

As one of the leaders of the team, McCarthy said it is part of his duty to help the rising stars of the team reach their potential.

“I really owe all of my success to Brian coming back to play cricket,” he said.

“It allowed me to go away and work on myself and have success.

“To be able to pass on that knowledge to Sam, Luke (Neale) and the other young fellas coming through is great.

“It’s plenty of fun when it comes to training. It makes it quite competitive when there are so many talented batsmen and bowlers trying to get the most out of each other.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to have another premiership. We’ve won five out of seven years and been in at least the semi finals in the other two.

“It’s a show of consistency at the club. To win the club championship seven times broke the TCI club record.

“There were a few tied on six, but to break it is a remarkable thing. It’s something we’ll always remember and in the coming years we’ll hope to better that.”

As for the player he shared the award with, McCarthy believes there will be better things in store for Sam Neale down the track.

“He doesn’t hold back with the bat, and it’s been a great three seasons playing with Sam,” he said.

“It’s been enjoyable to watch his cricket progress and everything seemed to come together well this season.

“He’s executed well with the bat, and with the ball too, which has been overlooked.

“At such a young age he’s been on bowling restrictions, but I think he’s a tremendous all-round cricketer.

“Everyone will be keeping an eye on him and we hope all goes well with the rest of his career.

“Sam has been lucky to be surrounded by such good cricketers like Brian, Luke and Cam Brimblecombe who help at games and at training.”

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