The Western Cricketer 2014-15
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THE WESTERN CRICKETER 2014-15 Contents Executive Report 3 Board & Management 6 Honour Board 8 Voges’ long hard road to the baggy green 10 Re-living the BIG Final from the middle 12 Edwards’ shining example for the next wave 14 Laurie Sawle Medal Night 16 WA Australian Representatives 18 Michael Klinger Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors 20 Perth Scorchers 27 Alcohol.Think Again Western Fury 32 District Cricket 38 Players of the Future 40 Game Development 42 Appreciation 45 Commercial Partners 47 Gallery of Greats 48 Gemma Triscari Life Members Induction 49 Obituaries 50 WACA Philanthropy 51 Financial Summary 52 Editor: Ben Somerford Design & Production: Christian Komnick Photography: Getty Images & Contributors Editorial Contributors: David Clear, Glen Foreman, Shay Nasta, Bill Reynolds Cover: The Perth Scorchers celebrate the BBL|04 title (top) and the Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors rejoice after lifting the 2014-15 Matador BBQs One-Day Cup (bottom). The Western Cricketer - The official yearbook of the Western Australian Cricket Association Incorporated 1 The Perth Scorchers celebrate a wicket at #TheFurnace during BBL|04. 2 EXECUTIVE REPORT It is an honour to address our Western entire tenure on the Board. He became involved with the Australian Cricket Association (WACA) WACA when we were in a financially challenging position Members in my final Executive Report and has helped steer us in the right direction. I will admit as Chairman. I approached this task in a his resignation came as a surprise but I was aware he was reflective mood, following 11 years on the contemplating stepping down from the presidency with WACA Board. We’ve come a long way his elected term due to end next year. Dennis’ impact and from those initial financial challenges to legacy will be long-lasting. He is an icon of the game in WA the position we are in today, with a clear and Australia and his contribution has been immeasurable. I plan mapped out on our direction following the recent want to thank him on behalf of the whole WA cricket family Vision 2030 announcement. for his dedication and service. The past 12 months have been very fruitful and positive for I took much pride in the success of our elite men’s teams the WACA, with significant on-field success in the shape over the 2014-15 season, with the Alcohol.Think Again of two trophies and a runners-up finish and the finalisation Western Warriors winning their first trophy in more than of plans by the Future Development Strategy Committee a decade when they triumphed at the Matador BBQs (FDSC) on the Association and venue’s future. One-Day Cup. The Perth Scorchers won back-to-back Big There’s no doubt a lot of work has been put in over the Bash League (BBL) championships in the most thrilling of past decade to secure the Association’s future including circumstances to add to our trophy cabinet and give WA a the previous re-development plans which unfortunately shot at history, by becoming the first state to win all three didn’t eventuate. The Vision 2030 outcome to keep our domestic titles in one season. In the end, the Warriors headquarters at a re-developed WACA Ground and move reached the Sheffield Shield final, but were frustrated by higher-drawing international and Perth Scorchers’ matches Victoria in a tough final in challenging conditions in Hobart to the new Perth Stadium is a great result for not only our which ended as a draw despite us having the upper hand, game and the Association, but also Western Australian crick- leaving us as runners-up for the second straight year. et fans. It is truly a very exciting development for the game in No doubt, missing out on the Shield will have coach Justin our state. I am delighted Sheffield Shield, domestic and some Langer and his players determined to come back bigger, international fixtures will still be played on the famous WACA better and stronger, but we must pause and acknowledge pitch too given its history and tradition. I believe this will their wonderful achievements in the 2014-15 season. It truly leave future boards with the flexibility to make commercial was a wonderful season. decisions on fixturing based on financial viability. I want to recognise the work of Justin. I believe the fact I also wanted to thank Michael Smith, as the independent England enquired about his availability to become their chair, and the FDSC committee; independent member Alan national coach speaks volumes about how well he’s regard- Rule, WACA Board members Stephen Hauville, Lachlan ed in world cricket, but more importantly, about the job he’s Henderson and Tom Percy and WACA CEO Christina done in WA cricket. He is well backed by an outstanding Matthews, for their exceptional work. The quality and thor- support staff, led by assistant coaches Adam Griffith and oughness of the report was truly beyond my expectations. Geoff Marsh. They have built a great culture which bodes Before I discuss our on-field performance, I wanted to well for enduring success in WA cricket. For all these rea- acknowledge our outgoing President Dennis Lillee. Dennis sons, we were delighted to be able to extend Justin’s con- devoted 11 years to the WACA Presidency, throughout my tract until the end of the 2017-18 season in May. 3 Their success led to more sensational crowds at #TheFurnace cricketers who are realising their potential and appear to for the ever-growing BBL. The Scorchers achieved a club have exciting careers at the elite level ahead. record for aggregate regular season attendances with more It was fantastic to see healthy WA representation in domes- than 75,000 fans through the turnstiles. Those supporters tic All-Star squads too, with four players named in the generated an amazing and unrivalled atmosphere, with Sheffield Shield Team of the Year in Adam Voges (captain), 19,289 fans turning out for a famous semi-final win. With Michael Klinger, Shaun Marsh and Cameron Bancroft. Joel this in mind, it was a shame we couldn’t play any of our Paris and Nathan Coulter-Nile were in the One-Day Team three domestic finals in Perth in front of our loyal sup- of the Year and Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, Brad Hogg porters despite finishing top in two competitions, but we and Klinger were selected in the BBL All-Stars. respect Cricket Australia’s reasoning and decision. While the Alcohol.Think Again Western Fury were unable to Returning to on-field matters, state skipper Adam Voges replicate our mens’ on-field success, there was much to be led the way exceptionally, winning the Sheffield Shield excited about with a view to the future, given five young- Player of the Year after a WA record 1,358 runs – the fourth sters were involved in the Shooting Stars set-up in Piepa most ever by one player - during the season. At the ripe old age of 35, Adam earned his Test debut, where he scored a Cleary, Gemma Triscari, Heather Graham, Megan Banting famous century away to the West Indies. Adam’s achieve- and Chloe Piparo. Charlotte Edwards was also named ment was a great tale of determination, becoming the old- WT20 Player of the Year runner-up and Triscari selected in est player in Test cricket history to score a century on debut the WNCL Team of the Year. and epitomised what we’re trying to do at the WACA, in I want to thank outgoing Fury coach Steve Jenkin for his becoming leaders in Australian cricket. wonderful work over the course of three years. He leaves our At the other end of the spectrum, it was fantastic to see Association in a better place thanks to his efforts, having led young Mitchell Marsh make his Test debut back in October the Fury to the WT20 Grand Final and ending their 13-year against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. The fact he WNCL finals wait in his first season in charge as well as play- received his baggy green from father Geoff with his family ing a role in reforming our female development set-up. present made it all the more enjoyable. Nicole Bolton, who Mark Atkinson takes over from Steve, ahead of an exciting recently returned to WA ranks after one year in Victoria, summer where the Perth Scorchers will compete in the also made her well-deserved Test debut in the Women’s inaugural Women’s BBL. We’ve added some international Ashes which was a thrill for all who’ve watched her journey quality players in Elyse Villani, Jess Cameron, Katherine from junior ranks to the international arena. Brunt, Suzie Bates and Charlotte Edwards along with Nicole There were plenty of other individual accolades over the who returns home, which has built some genuine excite- season, including Jason Behrendorff winning both the ment around our women’s side, particularly with two of our Domestic Player of the Year and the player-voted BBL matches to be televised by Channel Ten. It is a great oppor- Player of the Tournament. Jason is one of many young WA tunity for our talented young girls to learn off those at the Adam Voges & Justin Langer embrace after winning the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup. 4 elite level, while WA great Zöe Goss returns as an assistant participation (up 8.46 per cent) and a dramatic 51 per cent coach in another significant boost to our women’s set-up. upsurge in seven to 11-year-olds playing MILO T20 Blast, the It was a pleasure to salute the season with the annual format aligned with BBL, which bodes well for the future of Laurie Sawle Medal Night which continues to grow and the game in WA.