The four secrets behind PBC’s Kookaburra Cup first grade cricket transformation

Palm Beach Currumbin first grade cricket playing-captain Ryan Kettle has revealed the secrets to the club’s rapid transformation from ladder dwellers to early competition front runners.

Palm Beach Currumbin Batsman Canning Mason plays a shot as Mudgeeraba Nerang keeper Lachlan Diven looks on during their round 4 Kookaburra Cup clash.Photograph : Jason O'Brien

PALM BEACH Currumbin first grade cricket playing-captain Ryan Kettle has revealed the secrets to the club’s rapid transformation from ladder dwellers to early competition front runners.

The team is one of the biggest success stories early in the 2020-21 Kookaburra Cup season and currently holds second on the ladder with three wins, no losses and two washouts.

Palm Beach Currumbin are already one win away from equalling the four wins it recorded last season and will get the opportunity to do so when the team travels to David Johnston Oval on Saturday to play Surfers Paradise.

Palm Beach Currumbin have already ripped through competition newcomers Colts JCC, Runaway Bay and Burleigh and will need to take down the city’s premier batsman, Nathan Reardon, in order to notch a fourth victory this weekend.

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Kettle has been a big reason behind the club’s wins with the opening batsman and right-arm leg spinner boasting the second best batting average (52.50) and the most wickets (11) to his name so far this season.

When it came to determining just why Palm Beach Currumbin had turned it’s form around so drastically, Kettle revealed four reasons behind the shift.

RETURN OF THE DOLPHINS

The decision of Palm Beach Currumbin juniors Canning Mason and Ben Davis to return from Queensland premier cricket side Gold Coast Dolphins and re-link with their former club has bolstered the first grade team.

“They have helped strengthen our first grade team and in turn our second grade as well,” Kettle said.

“Ben played a mix of first and second grade at the Dolphins and is a handy off-spinner and top order batsman.

“Canning is an opening batsman who was at the Dolphins for about 10 years between stints back in New Zealand where he was born.”

Palm Beach Currumbin Batsman Canning Mason plays a shot as Mudgeeraba Nerang keeper Lachlan Diven looks on during their round 4 Kookaburra Cup clash.Photograph : Jason O'Brien

STAYING PUT ON THE COAST

When COVID hit, many internationals left Australian to return home but Palm Beach Currumbin still have opening bowler Fin Lonnberg at its disposal.

“He never went home,” Kettle said.

“He worked out on the farms and gained his second year visa so he will hopefully be here for the long term.

“He is a solid unit who gets the ball threw well.

“He always wanted to play a few seasons over here but his flight basically got cancelled at the last minute to go home.”

FINDING THE CONFIDENCE TO EXCEL

Having been battered around by rival clubs last season it would have been easy for players to lose confidence and struggle even more.

Kettle said it prompted the side to have honest conversations about what they were putting out and what they were capable of.

“It’s hard work with guys who are young and enthusiastic and trained really hard,” Kettle said.

“The guys have always been talented. We just dwindled off at the end of last season and had a really good look at it at the start of this year.

“Everyone put their hand up and said we are better than this and what we have been doing. “We got a group together with some new faces and we want to show that we are capable of playing decent cricket and go as far as we can.

“We are not getting ahead of ourselves. We have had three wins and a couple of washouts. “Last week we probably played the worst cricket we have played in a while but we managed to get over the line.

“We have had a good look at that this week and try and improve the things we did last weekend. Even though we did win it was a bit of a wake up call. It wont be easy for us we will have to work hard.”

OFF FIELD SUPPORT

Kettle said the support of the club’s new committee had enabled the team to perform on field.

“They provide a good support base. Anything the playing group needs, they are willing to help out with and the team doesn't’t have to worry about anything off the field.

“The club is in a good position on and off the field which really helps.”

Ryan Kettle in action. Pic: Supplied.