Dandenong champion Brett Forsyth finds a way to continue his flow of runs

Despite Dandenong’s lean patch this year, Panther champion Brett Forsyth has found a way to keep the runs flowing in Premier Cricket. Here’s how.

Through a difficult season for Dandenong, Brett Forsyth has leant on his experience to compile yet another run-soaked campaign.

The Panthers came into the summer with great expectations but after injuries to Test quick James Pattinson and the mid-season departure of coach Warren Ayres, season 2022-23 hasn’t exactly gone to plan.

But for Forsyth – who relinquished the captaincy in the pre-season before being handed it back – his 529 runs to date have come as a result of reflecting on past experiences.

“I think those things happen in cricket,” he said.

“Maybe with experience you have seen those things before and can reflect back on what were some of the things that worked when there was a little bit of adversity or change.

Brett Forsyth has enjoyed the return of red-ball cricket. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“I think that’s certainly helped, we’ve also had really good support off-field, we have some really strong leaders, Tom Donnell, Brendan McArdle has been great, Josh Slater, all the boys have been great – that certainly helps.

“I guess as a senior player and someone that has been around a long time, it was time for me to stand up and lead as well as I can off the field, and as well as I can on the field.

“The other thing is trying not to worry about things you can’t control, in regard to what other people are doing or saying, internally or externally, just focusing on getting into a great mindset when you’re batting and captaining.”

The meticulous opening bat led from the front again on Saturday, keeping Melbourne University at bay in his 199-ball stay.

Though his fifth score above 50 for the season was a bitter-sweet 97, Forsyth feels his side showed more signs by keeping a good side from victory.

“It’s disappointing, as a batter you want to bat for long periods of time and reach the three figures when it’s so close,” he said.

“I guess historically I have been a batter that prides myself on not just getting a hundred but trying to impact a game and score more than that.

“So, to get out that way was pretty disappointing, but yeah credit to the bowler (Fawad Ahmed) for bowling a ball that turned a significant amount.

“Disappointing, but I was still pleased I was able to bat for a long period of time and dig in for my team and bat out for the draw.

“We have been really competitive all year, albeit a couple of games.”

While understanding he is much closer to the end of his sterling career than the start, Forsyth promises he – and a few others – will be around as long as his Panthers need him.

“You get to 34 and you think as long as you’re playing well you want to continue,” he said.

“For me, as long as the club needs me then I will keep playing and as long as you’re enjoying the challenge.

“This year when the bowlers are running in, I have been enjoying batting, enjoying coming up against the best bowlers in the state.

“Whilst that fire burns and you want to compete, there is no reason why players like Tom (Donnell) and myself can’t continue playing.”

Saturday’s knock of 97 boosted Forsyth into 11th on the Victorian Premier Cricket all-time leading run scorers list, passing Warwick ‘The Big Ship’ Armstrong.