Premier Cricket 2023-24: Prahran’s Lachie Bangs signs at Ringwood

One of Premier Cricket’s most exciting young talents is now a Ram. Latest here.

Ringwood has snared one of Premier Cricket’s most exciting batting all-rounders.

Prahran’s Lachie Bangs has signed with the Rams in what captain David King touts as “an excellent addition” ahead of the 2023-24 season.

The left-hander has enjoyed returns of 394 and 369 in his past two campaigns, after helping the True Blues to the flag in 2020-21 with 424 – including two tons and two half-centuries that season.

An impromptu text from King at the end of last season sowed the seed for Bangs, who had been on the Rams’ radar for a while.

King said the 24-year-old harboured hopes of higher honours, after a call-up from the Covid-ravaged Melbourne Stars in January 2022.

Lachlan Bangs at the crease for Prahran. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“We did speak to Lachie before pre-season last season (2022-23) just to get his thoughts on potentially moving across and the opportunities we could provide him,” King said.

“He did chat to us but in the end decided to stay at Prahran as that was best for him at the time … this year when we saw a bit of coaching change, we know he was good friends with (outgoing coach) Justin Graham, I just thought I’d flick him an informal text.

“I got a call about two weeks later saying he was keen to have a chat and I spoke to him about the opportunities we could provide him … obviously he still wants to play as high as he can, I think he’s only 24 and we think we can provide him that with the bat and the ball.

“He played on our ground a couple of times last year and it’s a good place to bat as well as bowl, so they were two of the main sticking points for him.”

Left-arm medium pacer Bangs sends one down for Prahran. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Rams know of Bangs’ batting power all too well, with the young gun blasting off with seven sixes on his way to 103 off 100 balls against Ringwood in the 2020-21 campaign.

Last season he helped the True Blues put the Rams to the sword with 63 in Round 15.

“We’ve certainly seen it first-hand,” King said.

“I think he’s going to be an excellent addition for us.

“He’s a good fella, we all know that – we’ve chatted to him after the games we’ve played against Prahran and Ian Holland had done a bit of coaching with him in the past.

“Aside from the talent that he’s obviously got, the fact that he’s a good person is just as, if not more important.”

King said most of the First XI had been retained, with the exceptions of Irish bowling all-rounder David Delany who has returned home and middle-order bat Arjun Dhull, who has linked with Subbies club Ivanhoe.

A long line of emerging talents could also be vying for spots in the top-flight.

“From my perspective, the First XI line-up is looking really good … and there’s going to be opportunities for people because hopefully Tom Rogers and Matt Fotia miss some games and hopefully they’re playing at the next level (Victoria),” King said.

“It’s going to bring opportunities for these young batters and bowlers coming in.”