Local cricket: Joel Thompson signs on at DVCA club Bundoora United
Having not played since November after a testing period in his personal life, a great of the North Metro Cricket Association has found a new home for 2020-21.
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Eyebrows were raised at Joel Thompson’s absence from Rosebank’s line-up for much of last season.
After scores of 46, 43, 55 and 73 to start the North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield campaign, he was removed for a rare duck in a November fixture against Preston Baseballers, which proved his last appearance for 2019-20.
Thompson said on Monday that his stint on the sidelines was because of “personal matters”.
He also cited issues with the club environment at Rosebank and questioned his love for cricket.
But a refreshed and relieved Thompson is now focused on the future in familiar surroundings after making the decision to return to Diamond Valley association outfit Bundoora United.
He spent part of his junior career at the Bulldogs before switching to Northcote United and later Rosebank.
“Stepping away, I started to miss it, and I played a couple of indoor games and filled in for a mate and really found out I still do love the game,” Thompson said.
“I didn’t like the environment that I was in and I couldn’t really wait to get back. I just had to go through the right processes to get back out there.
“I’m definitely excited. It’s a move I’ve wanted to do for a period of time.
“Going back to where I started, there’s still guys I played junior cricket with and captain-coach Matt Ross coached me in my junior cricket. I’m looking forward to playing with him and seeing how far we can go this season.”
Thompson is a significant addition for Money Shield side Bundoora United, which has been eyeing promotion to Barclay Shield in recent seasons.
The star all-rounder said his preference was to face the new ball at the top of the order but added he would “accept any challenge”.
Thompson enjoyed a decorated career in the NMCA, claiming the Bill McFarlane Medal for the competition’s best player in 2015-16, reward for a golden summer at Northcote United in which he hammered 660 runs and snared 39 wickets.
He returned 381 runs and 16 wickets in his first season at Rosebank in 2016-17, 484 runs in 2017-18 and 407 runs in 2018-19.
“I’m excited about the challenge, and hopefully I can come into the team, make an impact and try and fill those voids they may have lacked in the past few years where they haven’t been able to get that final result,” Thompson said.
“Hopefully I can come in and play that part.”
Thompson said a fresh start was necessary after a testing period in his life.
He said stepping away helped him start the road to recovery and rediscover his passion for cricket.
“I can start fresh and no more mental battles and that sort of stuff. It’s a bit hard to talk about,” Thompson said.
“It was definitely a long process. I think my last game was (November 23), and I’ve never missed training or cricket for probably about 15 years.
“That was a different role for me to accept, and it was definitely hard to swallow.
“I was almost struggling to the point where I couldn’t even watch cricket.
“But now it’s all sorted … it’s exciting times for me to be able to get back out there and play with old mates and be at home, back to where it all started.”
Bundoora United was eliminated in the Money Shield semi-finals last season.
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