Bowling to Brad Haddin

Last week we reported on Dani Chivers making her Premier 1st Grade debut. Fast forward to Wednesday (31 January) the new training nets at Mark Taylor Oval were opened with the ‘Who’s Who’ of the local and cricket community. The Official opening included a ceremonial bowling of the first ball by our Local Member and NSW Finance Minister (Matt Kean) to Mark Taylor. The 3^rd ball was bowled by Dani Chivers to Brad Haddin.

Dani is our Junior Blasters Director and played Juniors from us Kanga through to U16 Girls and now for Northern District Premier Cricket Club. Dani also won the Cricket Australia Young Community Leader of the Year in 2021/22. As for the ball – as can be seen from the accompanying photo it was a swinging delivery that was bang on target. Well done Dani!

Photo: Dani bowling to Brad Haddin – 31 January 2023

Cricket Australia awards

While on our Girls, great news that during the week, CNSW has nominated our Girls for the annual Cricket Australia ‘Women & Girls initiative of the Year’. This is one of the most prestigious national awards within Australian cricket and to even be nominated is an amazing achievement. We won it last season so the opportunity to go back to back is special and would be a first if successful.

The nomination is based on the implementation of our playing & volunteer uniforms that have been received amazingly well by our players and opposition players. The uniforms are significant as they are a radical step away from traditional whites that are not practical for teenage girls. Also, the close working relationship with the local Darug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation in getting their approval and enthusiastic support has been recognised.

Photo: Our Girls players and volunteers at the launch of our new uniforms

Our latest Australian representative

Congratulations to our latest Australian Representative – Peter Harrison (1981-82 to 2008-09 and first left in the photo) who has been chosen to play for Australia Over 70s in the Ashes tour of Australia. They play 3 x One-day Internationals in Brisbane (Sunday 5^th February), Sydney (12^th February) & Melbourne (21 February).

Peter has previously represented Australia in the Over 60s with tours to England (2012), New Zealand (2013) and South Africa (2014). Well done Peter who adds to our list of players (men and women) who have represented at the highest level.

During his time at West Penno, Peter was part of the great Jim Fuggle’s B1/B2 Grade teams of the 1980’s / early 1990’s that was virtually unbeatable for over a decade. Peter scored 4,528 runs @ 31.9 and took 140 wickets @ 20.6 with his off-spin.

To quote Simon Smyth, a legendary WPH long-termer on Peter’s selection:

“Fantastic for Harro!

 Have a look at that schedule for the Poms. No way I could play that many games in a couple of weeks, even when I did have all my hamstrings….”

Photo: Peter (pictured 1^st left) with arguably the greatest B1 / B2 sides in our history that dominated Competitions over the mid-late 1980s and 1990s. Some famous faces in the photo: Peter Harrison, James Makin (check out the salad), Richard Makin, Ross Anderson, Dale Armstrong, Andrew Venables, Freddie Zulfiqar & Raj Anand. Front row: Richard Annetts, Jim Fuggle (C) and Zain Sherriff. The photo was taken at the Presentation Night at the Sea Chef Restaurant (Wahroonga) in May 1995.

In the Navy

Steve Quanborough (D1 Red) is on the ‘Ovation of the Seas’ on a cruise to New Zealand to celebrate a milestone birthday. We have some great photos of Quan over the years while on holidays but none better than being the Master of the Ship while proudly wearing West Penno colours. What better song to celebrate this photo than a Village people classic – In the Navy

Photo – Steve behind the wheel – 4^th February 2023

What West Penno players do outside cricket

Our latest update on West Penno players who take time off to see the World. While Steve Quanborough (D1 Red) has been cruising the Pacific Ocean, the Digby’s have also been overseas and missed 2 of the hottest weekends so far this season.

Check out the photo of Ian (D1 Red) and Matt (B1 Red) on their trip to Canada. This one is taken at Maligne Canyon at Jasper, Alberta.

Photo: Matt and Ian Digby – 3 February 2023

Outstanding performances

Back to 2-day games for last 2 matches of the season and we had some great performances. Here goes:

• Dylan Bish took his 50^th wicket last week
• C2 Reds had a mighty game:
  • Centuries by Akith Ekanayake (118 – our 512^th ton) and Ansh Pratheesh (100 – 513^th ton) put on a C2 Club record 4^th wicket partnership of 191. This broke the previous record of 127 standing since 2004.
  • Both players are U15s!
• Brent Larkham (B1 Red) scored our 514^th ton and 3^rd of the day with 101*
• Connor Mayoh (D1 Red) Just missed out on his first ton with 95 – being caught in the 71^st over of the day!
• So far this season we have scored 12 tons – the most since 2017/18. The record is 23 in a season in 2012/13.

Photo – Akith Ekanayake (118) & Ansh Pratheesh (100) after putting on a 191 run partnership for the 4th wicket @ Northholm Grammar.

Down for the count

James Makin, A1 and our Seniors Director, has been virtually indestructible since he started playing Seniors in 1989/90. But….time has finally caught up with James when he made the mistake of playing tennis of all things. The result, according to James:

“Just an FYI – it’s very likely that I’m done for the season. Completely torn two ligaments when I rolled my ankle playing tennis last week. In a boot for a few weeks, then a few more weeks of rehab.

 Should be a good chance to drop in to some of the other grades though.”

Good luck on the recovery.

Photo: Steve Quanborough & James Makin – John Purchase nets – 6^th August 2022

Coming Home

We got some great news during the week that Jane and Julian Bish, amazing volunteers who are now living in Chicago are coming home for the Semi’s and GF in March. The following song by Martha Marlow is a beauty to welcome them home – It feels like home

So, to the B2 boys – make sure you make the Semi’s and then make it through to the GF!

Photo: Jane and Julian Bish in Chicago – 4 May 2022.