Cricket Southern Bayside: Bonbeach signs Parkdale captain Ab Das

Bonbeach has locked in a splendid recruit on the eve of the Cricket Southern Bayside season; he joins other Sharks newcomers, including a first-class paceman.

Ab Das (left) with Bonbeach vice president Bryce O'Connor.

What a boost for Bonny.

The Cricket Southern Bayside men’s season is yet to hit off because of the wet weather but already Bonbeach has had a win of sorts, locking in a splendid recruit.

The Sharks last week secured Parkdale all-rounder Ab Das, who is regarded as one of the best players in CSB.

Das had an excellent 2021-22 season, finishing runner-up in the CSB Division 1 best and fairest award.

He hit 485 runs at 40.42 and with his leg-spinners claimed 11 wickets at 34.55.

Das was appointed captain of Parkdale in August.

“He approached us basically,” Bonbeach president Michael Hogan said.

“We played against him when he was at Beaumaris, he approached us and he liked the way we go about things and he wanted to be a part of it.”

Lukas Carey bowling for Sandgate-Redcliffe in Queensland in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Attila Csaszar

Bonbeach has also picked up Glamorgan’s Lukas Carey, who has played 33 first-class games.

He’s a seam bowling all-rounder and will give Bonbeach’s bowling attack an injection of class this season.

Carey spent a season with Sandgate-Redcliffe in Queensland in 2019-20.

Another Englishman, Matty Weston, who has been a member of Yorkshire’s cricket academy, has also joined Bonbeach to give the club a strong UK flavour.

Bonbeach captain Tom Smith played County cricket. This will be his eighth season playing with the Sharks; six as skipper.

Robbie Lancaster has joined Bonbeach. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Bonbeach has also added Langwarrin spinner Robbie Lancaster, an experienced and outstanding player.

Lancaster will be a playing assistant coach.

“He lives a couple hundred metres from the club, his son plays juniors,” Hogan said of Lancaster.

“I think he was pretty keen to get back on turf and limit the travel. It just kind of aligned with what we were looking for. He’s played a fair bit against us when he was at Chelsea so we know what we’re getting.”

Bonbeach also has a new senior coach, with Peter Neville taking on the role.

The man known as “Nifty” is a former club great who was named coach of the club’s team of the 50 years.

Neville was assistant coach last season, and has transitioned into the role this season.