Page 52 - West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Cricket Club Yearbook 2017-18

- Seven of our 11 batters have scored a half century (in our books, 48 counts as a 50).
- Of the seven, 5 have close to 200 runs or more for the season.
- Every bowler in the team has taken 6 wickets or more.
- 4 bowlers have 10 wickets or more and 3 bowlers have 8 wickets each.
Alec Silins: Has been with the Gold Team for 4 years. Easily the best left-arm offie in this association, saved his best for this year and crowned his achievement in having great spells in both finals. A fighter to the core, bowled accurately in the middle, tying the batsmen down and took key wickets. However, it is his energy and commitment on the field, constantly urging his mates, that characterises Alec’s approach to the game. Who can forget his remarkable running, tumbling catch in the finals!!
Anujan Mahesan: Has been with the Gold Team for 3 years. A genuinely Mr Nice-Guy, Anujan’s eagerness and determination to improve his cricket helped him become a good slow medium pace bowler with 6 vital wickets this year. The bounce that he gets with the slow pace is difficult for even the best bats; making him one of the partnership breakers in the team. Anujan helped the team start the season this year with a win with a fighting knock against Kenthurst.
Ashhad Khan: Ashhad joined us this year after having played a few years of ordinary cricket (as he puts it) in Singapore. Bowled first ball and hammered for 15 runs in 3 overs in his first game, he progressively turned his game around. Steady medium pacers with good line n’ length bowling has become his forte now. He has finished the season with 8 wickets. A testimony to his hard work in the nets.
Daniel Schwartzel: One of the veterans in the team, Dan had his best year this season with bat and ball. He relished the opportunity to open the batting this season; with 78 against Berowra as his finest. However, it is what he has done with the ball that has impressed everyone. He has bowled with good pace and took wickets regularly. He had earned the big responsibility of opening with both bat and ball in the finals by sheer performance.
Jack Barry: Jack joined the team last year and has played some awesome cricket this season. Apart from one good innings with the bat, it was magic with the ball most of the season; uprooting stumps for most of his wickets with unplayable balls. It all came together with the bat in the finals though. Jack was the stand out bat in both finals. His knock in the finals was easily the best. Unflustered with the drama surrounding the occasion he showed maturity with a finals-winning knock.
Matthew Schwartzel: Along with his brother, Matt is another veteran in the team. With another remarkable year with the gloves (17 catches!!) it is likely to be his third year in a row with the Best Keeper Award from the Hornsby Association for his age group. A remarkable achievement and one that the club should be proud of. Well done, Matt. With strong defence against pace, Matt has been one of the opening bats for the team with a solid knock of 21 against a strong attack from Castle Hill as his best for the season.
Oliver Cunningham: Another veteran in the team, Oli was hampered this season with injuries. His commitment to the team though has been phenomenal, batting with thigh strapped up or bowling with pain, for the team. One of the most feared batters in the circuit his mature innings against Berowra this year was easily the best we have seen him play. However, it is his bowling that stood out this season. He has taken key wickets in the middle of the innings, with an older ball, bowling tightly and with pace.
Oliver Linschoten: This was Ollie’s 3rd season with the team. A great leggie who can turn the ball square, a magician when he fields, and a talented bat to back his bowling & fielding. Gifted timer of the ball, he has played great knocks in the middle – piling on the runs and in quick time. His knock in the final with a crucial partnership with Jack, helped secure the cup. Ollie has also had a good season with the ball. Coming in to bowl in the middle and in crucial overs, he has taken key wickets, snaring top batters.
Rowan Dickinson: Back to the Gold team this year after 2 years with Kenthurst, Ro is a talented cricketer and a great athlete. He opened the attack this season and has bowled with pace and control. His tight spell in the Grand Final and key wickets in the Semis were his best from the season. A gifted striker of the ball, his innings of 48 no against Castle Hill was his best with the bat. That innings was the building block for our premiership.
52