Devon Cricket Board - Plymouth strengthen for title challenge

Plymouth strengthen for title challenge

PLYMOUTH have signed a pedigree batsman and re-signed another in attempt to win the Devon Premier Division for the first time.

The City side have never finished higher than second – most recently in 2014 when they were runners-up behind Sidmouth – and hope this will be the year.

Anthony Atkinson, a batter who bowls leg-spin too, is coming over from Brisbane to play for the city side.

Atkinson, who is 22, had a season in the Surrey Championship with Weybridge in 2011 and as 17 year old clouted more than 1,000 runs.

He played State cricket at U17 andU19 level for Queensland. In Grade Cricket for Western Suburbs, he is averaging more than 50 in the season currently coming to a close.

Plenty of Queenslanders have made the trip from the Gold Coast to Plymouth over the years, including Marnus Labuschange, who plundered 730 runs at an average in the 60s when he was the City sides overseas player in 2013.

Labuschange broke into the Queensland side last season, but still turns out for Redlands in the same competition Atkinson plays in.

Atkinson asked Labuschange what he thought about Plymouth and the Devon Premier Division – and the answers convinced him to sign on the dotted line.

“I had great reports from Marnus, who said the standard of cricket and the club environment at Plymouth had been very good,” said Atkinson.

“I know conditions are going to be different, but I am really looking forward to the challenge.”

Returning to Mount Wise for a second stint is Brisbane-born Scotsman Hamish Gardiner, who had a brief stay in 2014 when he played a handful of games.

Batter Gardiner is a Scotland international who played for them in the last World Cup.

Surrey and Somerset have both had a look at Gardiner in the past without taking their interest any further.

Gardiner averaged nearly 60 with the bat last season playing for Carlton in Scotland’s Eastern Premiership competition. He was the leading run scorer in the league with 652.

With First Class, List A and World Cup experience on his CV, Gardiner is a handy acquisition for Plymouth.

“Players of his quality and experience are a rare commodity in local, amateur sport and Hamish is a welcome addition to our batting order,” said skipper Sam Stein.

Plymouth have strengthened their coaching crew by snapping up another Queenslander, Tim Turnbull.

Work has brought Turnbull to Devon and Plymouth didn’t hang about when he contacted them.

“Tim has extensive experience as a coach in club environments and has won several prestigious awards,” said Martin Hancock, the Plymouth chairman.

“He understands how volunteer clubs operate and will try to establish a plan to take the club forward over the next few yeas.

“Tim will also be involved with our own coaching programmes.

“it is an ideal opportunity to enhance our reputation for developing our own players and Tim is very keen to help with this.”

More good news for Plymouth is the renewal of their long-running sponsorship agreement with city estate agents Lang Town & Country.

“Without support from companies like this it would be impossible for a volunteer –run club such as ours to provide affordable opportunities for people to play cricket and we are grateful for their support,” said commercial manager Andy Sewell, pictured with Richard Rabin and Jay Foster (right) from the company.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773