MPCA: Englishman Ian Cockbain joins Langwarrin

Gloucestershire big hitter Ian Cockbain has arrived to play for Langwarrin in the MPCA and says he’ll be trying to “lump one a couple of rows back’’.

One of the first things Ian Cockbain did after arriving in Langwarrin on Sunday was to go and check out his new home ground at Lloyd Park.

And the Gloucestershire big hitter’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“It looks like a pretty big oval so you’ll have to get a good piece of it to clear the fence,” he said.

“But I’ll be trying that’s for sure.”

Cockbain, 34, is looking forward to spending summer in Melbourne helping Langwarrin win games of cricket in the Mornington Peninsula competition and also whacking the golf ball around local courses.

“I haven’t got any cricket gear because I had to make space for my (golf) clubs,” he laughed.

“I just had to get my golf clubs in.”

Cockbain, born in Liverpool, has made the journey to Langwarrin with his wife Amy and 16-month-old son Leo.

They’re used to travelling; Ian has played around the world and estimates this trip is his 15th overseas to play cricket — and ninth time in Melbourne.

Cockbain comes with impressive credentials. He is Gloucestershire’s all-time leading run scorer in Twenty20 cricket. He’s also scored five first-class centuries.

Ian Cockbain batting for Bonbeach. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

But this summer presents a new challenge for the affable Englishman. Cockbain has never played on synthetic pitches, only on turf.

“It’s going to be a new challenge for me playing on synthetic but I’ve heard a lot about Langwarrin — it’s a massive club and I’m looking forward to getting cracking and seeing what the standard is like,’’ he said.

Cockbain said he would approach Saturday’s opening round MPCA Provincial clash against Long Island “with a pretty clear mind”.

“For me it’s probably just spending time in the middle and getting back into it after a bit of a lay off after my season,” he said.

Cockbain is known for his straight hitting and intends to show it off here.

“Yeah, it’s a big part of my game,’’ he said.

“If they over pitch towards the back end I do like hitting straight.

“I still score pretty freely square of the wicket. I’ll just try and adjust to what comes down at me.’’

And his favourite shot?

“Probably just a big slog to be honest,’’ he laughed.

“No, just hitting straight. There’s nothing better than lumping one a couple of rows back over the bowlers head.”

Cockbain said he’s willing to bat anywhere in the top six for Langwarrin.

“It doesn’t really bother me,’’ he said.

“Wherever I can fit into the team that will be most beneficial, if it’s sliding down and trying to stick the middle order together or being there at the end to finish off, that’s probably where I prefer to bat…that’s pretty much the job I do for Gloucester back home.”

Cockbain is looking forward to his first training session with Langwarrin on Tuesday afternoon and he knows all eyes will be on him.

He’s been through it all before.

“That first training session is always so funny,’’ he said.

“Is he any good? Is he s...? Who’s this dud we’ve got?’’

The 2020-21 MPCA season hits off on Saturday, although upto 20mm of rain is forecast for Melbourne.