Eastern Cricket Association: Former Fitzroy Doncaster Premier Cricket talent helps young Canterbury bloom in Dunstan Shield
A trio of Lions roared for Canterbury last week, but their off-field value to the young ECA side is even more important.
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A trio of Premier Cricket Lions helped Canterbury to a handsome win over Marcellin in their Dunstan Shield clash last week, but it’s their off-field influence that is proving most valuable.
Former Fitzroy Doncaster batsman Ben Waterman hammered a century (116) as Canterbury posted 6-255 in a one-dayer at the Canterbury Sports Field. Ex-Lions Steve Duckworth (4-13), Chris Moore (2-41) and Waterman (2-34) then took eight of the 10 wickets to fall as Marcellin was held to 193 in reply.
Canterbury skipper Andy Mills said, while it had been great to have all three take the park at the same time, Waterman’s family and work commitments meant he’d be an infrequent starter.
More of a pinch-hitter when numbers were short.
“He’s someone I’ve been calling every day for two years,” Mills laughed.
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But the newball combination of Duckworth and Moore were heavily courted in the off-season, their experience invaluable for a young and developing Canterbury squad.
“Moore and Ducky have brought a lot in terms of their coaching and leadership,” Mills said. “Moore being a teacher and Ducky has had captain and coaching roles. They have just a great way with the younger guys.
“We’ve got a bunch of 20, 21-year-olds coming through. The culture in the group last Saturday was as good as it’s ever been.”
The win over Marcellin was Canterbury’s first for the summer but Mills was confident, when the competition moved to two-day cricket rather than the limited overs and T20 phase, there would be even better to come from his side.
“We probably don’t have the Ben Morris (Heathmont) type who can go in blazing from ball one. We’ve got more accumulators. I think the two-day stuff will be great for us.”
Mills said developing the club for future summers would be a slow and steady process. At times the side has shown potential but lacked experience to seal the deal.
“We had (Surrey Hills) 5-50 in the first round then Bucks (Nathan Buck) came in and smashed us around,” he said.
“Then were outplayed by Mont Albert and then the rain (wet weather disruptions) came, which is frustrating.”