Sutherland District Cricket Club president Mat Duff believes the return of former Australian captain Steve Smith to their first grade side this year will leave a lasting legacy at the club.
Sutherland are anticipating one of the most exciting seasons in their more than 50-year history with Smith confirmed to line up for the Sharks when the 2018-19 NSW Premier Cricket season starts on September 22.
Cricket Australia banned the 29-year-old from international and domestic cricket for one year and from holding a leadership position for two years for his role in Australia’s ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March.
But Smith is able to play grade cricket and is required to complete 100 hours of voluntary service in community cricket.
Duff told the Leader Sutherland junior Smith’s inclusion would make it a “once in a lifetime” summer for the club.
“Clearly to have the most recent Australian captain at the peak of his game come back and play for us is a unique situation and probably one we haven’t experienced in our club’s history,” he said.
“It has certainly led to a high level of anticipation and excitement within the playing group and our supporters. There’s no doubt about that. And it’s important the club embraces that collectively so we can enjoy the season on and off the field.
“Steven is a local junior who came through our system so for many of us it’s back to business as usual having him playing for us. At the same time we acknowledge Steven’s cricket has progressed to such a level where he was captain of Australia and there is far more interest placed on the club given he’s playing this year. And we’re aware there will be more scrutiny around Steve and the club more broadly.
“The fact Steven has come through the grades like a lot of our kids at the moment he’ll have an unbelievable impact on them. He’ll be at training as much as he can. I know he’s looking forward to playing a role to help develop our junior talent. He’s made it very clear to me he wants to be actively involved in assisting as much as he can.
“From that perspective it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for these young players to be involved with someone like Steven who has reached the highest level.
“Steve made it very clear to me he will be totally engaged and sees it as part of his responsibility to assist us in fostering and developing our younger players to hopefully develop the next Australian cricketers through our ranks.”
As well as the two-time ICC Test player of the year, two-time Allan Border Medal winner Shane Watson will also return to play his grade cricket at Sutherland this season.
Then there is the club’s next generation of young, vibrant local juniors. Talented spinner Daniel Fallins has been rewarded for an outstanding 2017-18 campaign, where he made his first class debut for a Cricket Australia XI against the touring England Test side as well as his Sheffield Shield debut for NSW, with his first state contract with the Blues.
There will also be plenty of eyes on Australia under-19 representative Austin Waugh after his impressive first season in the top grade. While Ben Dwarshuis will look to kick on with the Sydney Sixers after the high of being selected in Australia’s Twenty20 squad for their international tri-series against England and New Zealand in February.
Sutherland reached the finals in two-day, one-day and Twenty20 cricket last season and will chase their first top grade title since 1997-98.
And Duff said he anticipated the club would again be competitive.
“I caught up with Steven about two months ago now. He was in really good spirits. He’s certainly intending to be available for round one. I expect him to be available for most of the year subject to his other commitments.
“At the moment he’s playing in the T20 Caribbean [Premier] League but he’ll be back prior to round one and we’re really looking forward to having him involved.
“In particular round one, if it happens we get a home game which we’re hopeful for, we’re prepared for a significantly higher crowd than we would normally get on a Saturday afternoon. We’re certainly planning for that and we’ve had some discussions with Cricket NSW on how best to handle everything.
“NSW Premier Cricket is very tough and competitive. There are a lot of good teams who are all expecting to do well. Our first grade team will be very competitive and perform well, if we do that I’m sure we’ll be in the mix.”
