MPCA 2019-20: Mornington Cricket Club appoint Darren Berry as head coach

Mornington Cricket Club has hailed its appointment of former Victorian captain Darren Berry as its full-time coach for season 2019-20 as a coup.

Darren Berry will coach Mornington in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association in season 2019-20.

Mornington Cricket Club has hailed its appointment of former Victorian captain Darren Berry as its full-time coach for season 2019-20 as a coup.

Whereas Berry was a coaching consultant to two MPCA clubs (Baxter and Mornington) over the past three seasons, he has committed solely to the Bulldogs.

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“Full time, he’s our club coach,” Mornington captain Matt Foon said.

“That’s why we’re rapt. He’s not doing Baxter, he’s not doing anything else. He’s Mornington Cricket Club coach.”

Darren Berry during his time as coach of Adelaide Strikers in 2015. Photo Sarah Reed.

Berry, who lives in Mt Eliza, played 153 first-class games with South Australia and Victoria before venturing into coaching.

He was head coach of South Australia and also coached the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.

Foon said players gravitated to Berry when he held coaching sessions at Mornington in recent seasons and the club’s current crop of talented 18-23 year olds would benefit greatly from having him in charge.

Darren Berry (right) and Mornington Cricket Club president Lee Garnet shake on it.

Victorian wicketkeeper Darren Berry warming up in the Adelaide Oval nets in 1990.

“He’s just a really down to earth guy,” Foon said.

“He has a really good technical sense and has a great knowledge through what he’s done.

“He really loves his spinners which is great for us with, as well as keepers. And he’s really good technically with the bats, having stood behind and watched so many.

“People gravitate to him.“

Foon said Berry would look to improve all players at the Bulldogs, young and old.

“He’s going to help all ages and all skill levels,” he said.

“It’s exciting I think.”

Mornington finished in fifth spot in MPCA Provincial last season. Foon and champion batsman Ben Clements were joint winners of the Wedgwood Medal as the competition’s leading player.

Clements has recently moved to live in Queensland.