Tigers add Englishman ahead of new season

INTERNATIONAL borders are open, and the Torquay Tigers Cricket Club is making the most of it with the acquisition of its first import since the start of the pandemic.

English club cricketer Kieran Lawton has signed on for the 2022-23 season to strengthen the Tigers’ ranks, lending himself as a hard-hitting left-handed batsman.

Lawton said he was looking forward to making his way to the Surf Coast town.

“This will be a new challenge for me, with different bowlers and different wickets,” Lawton said.

“Torquay looks like a great club both on and off the field.

“I’m hoping I can help carry on the success of all the teams, playing in the men’s team and helping the women’s and junior sides too.”

Lawton, a product of Grappenhall Cricket Club in Cheshire, will arrive in Torquay in time for the start of the season, adding to a long list of overseas players to have spent a summer with the Tigers.

Torquay has also welcomed back Matthew Ward, a top order batsman from Ballarat League club Mount Clear, as well as returning wicketkeeper/batsman Riley Wood, a keep component of the team two campaigns ago.

Torquay coach Leigh Kentish said Lawton will be a major contributor amongst the side’s batting depth.

“We are really pleased to be welcoming Kieran and hope he’ll have a memorable time with us in Torquay,” Kentish said.

“We are not placing any pressure on him to come here and dominate.

“It’s about helping us on the field where he can, but just as importantly, having fun and adding to the club culture.

“There’s a long tradition of English club cricketers spending summers in Australia and vice versa, and it’s good to see that able to happen again now that borders are back open.”

Torquay’s men’s First XI will begin its season on the first day of October in a one-day clash away to Bell Post Hill.

Torquay CC welcomes new men’s, women’s and junior players of all standards and levels of experience for the 2022-23 season.

For information or to join, head to torquaycricketclub.com or email [email protected].