Box Hill captain James Pearson joins rival Sub-District Cricket club Brunswick

BRUNSWICK has pulled off a stunning recruiting coup, securing the signature of Box Hill captain James Pearson following his sudden departure from City Oval.

James Pearson has signed at Brunswick. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

BRUNSWICK has pulled off a stunning recruiting coup, securing the signature of Box Hill captain James Pearson following his sudden departure from City Oval.

Pearson informed Box Hill in recent days that he would be leaving the club, where his family has a long association, after one season in charge as skipper.

The 31-year-old’s departure leaves the Mustangs needing to fill its captaincy and coaching positions after Michael Vozzo stepped down at the end of the season.

Brunswick captain-coach Liam Murphy said he first met with Pearson earlier this month before Box Hill confirmed on Wednesday morning he had left to join the Wicks.

Murphy said Pearson made the move for family reasons.

“Playing cricket is one thing but I think he is plus-30 now and there’s only 24 hours in the day and really he wants to, I think, build cricket around family and play in an environment where he has similar-aged individuals,” Murphy said.

“I know we were really positive from that respect because we do have a group of people who are all 25 to 40 and the demographics are fairly similar to Pearso’s.

“The administration are creating a really strong culture within the club and I think that was a fairly strong selling point for James to come across.”

Pearson is among the best strike bowlers in Sub-District Cricket, claiming 77 wickets in two seasons since returning to Box Hill following his Premier Cricket days with Camberwell.

His arrival at A.G. Gillon Oval adds further firepower to an already strong bowling attack, which includes Ryan Fort, David McKay, Leigh Brennan and Tim Daykin.

“To have bowler than can bowl under three (runs) an over and take 30-odd wickets, it’s a pretty exciting asset to have in the playing group,” Murphy said.

“Our bowling unit just at times found it hard in that first grade side to peg down a couple of overs here and there and stem the flow of runs.

“That’s what Subbies cricket is all about, being dry and being patient and we were able to do that at time last season but adding Pearso just adds to that.”