Southport Labrador sign former South African first class player Michael Alexander
SOUTHPORT Labrador have pulled off a major coup with the signing of a former first class star, with the Tigers confident he can instantly become one of the Kookaburra Cup’s most dominant figures.
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SOUTHPORT Labrador player-coach Simon Belston expects new recruit Michael Alexander to be one of the Kookaburra Cup’s most dominant figures next season as the Tigers fight to end a decade of premiership pain.
Without a first grade flag since 2008-09, last season’s semi finalists on Thursday pulled off a massive coup with the signing of former South African first class player Michael Alexander.
The 28-year-old, a top-order batsman and handy medium-pacer, played 17 first class games for KwaZulu-Natal between 2009-13, highlighted by a top score of 164.
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He linked up with Belston for the first time at Bury Cricket Club in England in 2010, with their friendship now helping deliver him to the Tigers.
“He’s a class cricketer. It will be a huge benefit for Southport,” Belston said of Alexander, who topscored for Durban Premier League T20 and one-day champions Clares last season.
“He will bring a wealth of experience, not just to Southport Labrador, but to Cricket Gold Coast. He will be great for the club and great for the juniors as well.
“I brought Michael over (to Bury) from South Africa to represent us as our professional player for the UK summer (in 2010) and the opportunity has now come about to bring Michael to the Gold Coast.
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“It’s a great signing for the club, for sure. He’s a genuine all-rounder – he bowls a little bit of medium pace - and he’s played first class cricket in South Africa.
“I would expect his performances to be up there with some of the best on the Gold Coast next season.”
Alexander’s arrival is likely to ease the run-scoring burden on top-order pair Matthew Morris and Nic Peterson, who has assumed the captaincy from Belston for 2019-20.
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Don Gumm was also returned as president at the club’s Annual General Meeting late last month.
The Tigers launched pre-season training last Saturday.
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