Ormond’s James Wild has retired from Subbies powerhouse

An Ormond “champion” has called time on a sensational Subbies career.

Sub-District cricket: Ormond v Oakleigh. Ormond batsmen Brendan Barry and James Wild celebrating their team's victory. Picture: Valeriu Campan

While he is sad to see him go, Ormond president Will Robertshaw is proud to have had James Wild a Monder for the past decade.

Wild has bowed out after 368 runs and 22 wickets in his final summer at EE Gunn Reserve and Robertshaw can summarise the all-rounder briefly.

“Champion is the first word that comes to mind,” Robertshaw said.

“He has kind of seen it all over his decade at Ormond, he came to the club when it was not at its best and he leaves the place a better place, both on and off the field.

“We had some really good success in his first few years, winning the 2014-15 premiership, our first in 40 odd years.

“And then to have a few tricky years after that with some guys moving on, Wildy really became a one-man bandit in 2015, 16, 17 at times while we kind of reshuffled the cards.

“The last three years have been fantastic, he found form this year and was able to stay fit and on the park.

“He ended his time at Ormond fantastically.”

Brendan Barry and James Wild celebrate a victory. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Despite scoring beyond 400 runs and taking 20 or more wickets five of his 10 seasons at Ormond, Robertshaw says he would pick Wild in the side for half of his output.

“He’s given it his all, he is late 30s now and he is a ripping family man with Lisa and his girls, I know he is keen to spend time with them,” he said.

“He has definitely gone out as a superstar of our First XI and not just someone who contributes some weeks.

“He’s a quality person, it’s a big thing we’re about at Ormond – person first, player second.

“I would have Wildy in our First XI if he averaged half the amount of runs and double with the ball because he is just such a great guy.”

Ormond is expected to announce its new coach and a bundle of recruits in the coming weeks.