VSDCA: Brighton picks up Geelong association batsman Cooper Bingham

Brighton has picked up a top-order batsman from Geelong and revealed details of its recruitment shopping list.

Cooper Bingham has joined Brighton for season 2022-23. Picture: Mark Wilson

A stroke of fortune has led to Brighton recruiting a fine player.

Cooper Bingham, a talented keeper-batsman from Newtown and Chilwell in the Geelong association, will play with the Tonners in 2022-23.

He relocated to Melbourne for work and moved in with Brighton player Jack Rutter.

Rutter convinced him to join Brighton.

“It was more one that fell into our lap than one that was targetted,” Brighton secretary Nathan Steele said.

Bingham scored 421 runs, at 42.1, with one century last season and Brighton captain Ricky Damiano said he would be a welcome addition to the Tonners’ top order.

“The guys who come from the Geelong way generally perform pretty well,” Damiano said.

“The wicket’s are similar and it’s a similar sort of competition.

“You think about (Caulfield’s) Jake Thorne who came from down that way. He (Bingham) had similar stats to Jake last year, batting wise.

“He’s a top order bat who keeps a bit but we’ve already got Robbie (Salerni) who keeps, (and) I keep, so I don’t think he’ll be keeping.

“He will probably bat four or five.”

Newtown & Chilwell keeper Cooper Bingham appeals for a run out. Picture: Mark Wilson

Damiano confirmed Brighton was chasing a fast bowler.

“We’re trying to get a quick bowler. That’s probably the main thing we noticed last year, we didn’t have a strike bowler,’’ he said.

“So that’s what we’re going to look for, to get a strike bowler in.

“And we’re chatting to a quality all rounder at the moment. If we can’t get an opening bowler we’ll probably get an all rounder.

“Hopefully we’ll get that sorted in the next few days. Yeah, I think we’ll be pretty strong.”

Bingham is the son of television personalities Nicky Buckley and Murray Bingham.

Brighton has secured Damiano for another two seasons.

“I love the playing group,” he said.