Premier Cricket: Dandenong’s Jacques Augustin links with Frankston Peninsula

One of the premier glovemen in Victorian Premier Cricket will lend his expertise and experience to the Heat.

Dandenong keeper Jacques Augustin. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Jacques Augustin will keep.

For Frankston Peninsula.

The Dandenong premiership gloveman told the Panthers last week that he would be moving on, and today he confirmed he would be joining the Heat, following Dandy champion James Nanopoulos to Jubilee Park.

Dozens of Premier batsmen have fallen to the “caught Augustin, bowled Nanopoulos’’ combination and they’re hoping it continues with their new club, which is coached by another Dandenong premiership player in Paul Boraston.

Augustin’s 2020-21 season had deep lows and a spectacular high.

To his great disappointment, he was overlooked for selection from Round 1 because of his batting, but he forced his way back into the top team ahead of the finals.

Jacques Augustin at the creases for Dandenong. Picture: Valeriu Campan

And then in the semi-final against Geelong he played the innings of his long career, spanking 71 not out and sharing a 137-run stand with Peter Cassidy to lift Dandenong into the grand final.

It was a rollicking hand, and many hands clapped in applause.

Augustin also hit 23 off 22 balls in the decider against Prahran.

“I had a chat to a few clubs closer to home (he lives in Warragul) and I was also texting ‘Bora’ (Boraston) about ‘Nano’ (Nanopoulos) moving,’’ he said.

“I don’t think he (Boraston) was getting the hints. But he came around and we had a chat, and I was happy to link up with him and ‘Nano’ again.

“I still have the passion and desire to play at that high level as long as I can.’’

Augustin said he “needed a fresh start’’ with his cricket.

“I didn’t find myself where I wanted to be in the first half of the season,’’ he said.

“I backed myself to get back into the team. It was a funny year the way it was. Obviously I ended up playing in a grand final, which was very rewarding and I guess the way we got there was very intriguing to most people who were watching.

“Yeah, just felt like I needed a fresh start. Obviously with a lot of boys heading off in terms of friendships and whatnot, yeah, just needed a fresh start, I think.’’

Jacques Augustin is up to 174 First XI matches.

When it was suggested Nanopoulos had built the recruitment of Augustin into his three-year contract with Frankston Peninsula, Augustin said: “Obviously played with ‘Nano’ for five years and his skill with the ball in hand is second to none.’’

From its grand final XI, Dandenong has farewelled Nanopoulos, LJ Edwards (appointed captain of Sub-District club Elsternwick), Peter Cassidy (signed at Subbies club Brighton), Suraj Randiv (coaching Edinburgh in the Eastern Cricket Association) and Jack Fowler (coaching Dromana in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association), as well as 12th man Comrey Edgeworth (playing at Mentone in Cricket Southern Bayside).

Augustin, 31, started his Premier Cricket career at Fitzroy-Doncaster in 2008-09 and crossed to Dandenong in 2016-17.

He’s up to 174 First XI matches and 256 dismissals.

The Panthers will promote young players including Gehan Seneviratne, Jarryd Wills and Angus Newman in what will be a recast First XI.