Congratulations to A2’s duo, Jordan Grooby and Connor Burgess, who will both be playing in their 50th senior match for WCC this afternoon.
“Groobs” debuted with the club way back in 2007, scoring a 50 on debut before playing regularly across the 2009/10 & 2010/11 seasons, including 3 matches of A Grade, before moving to Perth for 10 years, where he played for Piara Waters Cricket Club between 2014 and 2020.
Upon his return to the Hill in 2021/22, with wife Emma and 3 lovely children, Groobs took the B Grade by storm, scoring 332 runs @ 27.67 to win the B Grade Batting Aggregate. Last season he stepped up to A2’s to become the number one keeper at the club and whilst his glovework was immaculate, he found things tougher going with the bat; however, a 62 last week to kick off this season is hopefully a sign of a stronger season to come.
Connor, true to his “Puggles” nickname (a baby echidna), debuted in seniors for WCC in 2018 at the ripe old age of 11, bowling 4 overs for just 6 runs on debut before scoring a match winning 1* (& surviving 12 balls) in an unbeaten 10th wicket stand of 14 to see the Echidnas home with 1 ball to spare in just his 2nd match. Becoming a regular in seniors at age 13 in 2020/21, Connor immediately emerged as an outstanding bowling prospect and already has 63 senior wickets under his belt at an outstanding average of 14.25 & economy of 3.27, winning the B Grade Bowling Aggregate in 2021/22 and the Best Under 18 Player at the Club last season.
Batting hadn’t been a strong point, however, with Puggles almost exclusively a No. 11 with a HS of 16. This season has been a different tale with older brother and A2’s skipper, Harrison Burgess elevating Connor to open and he’s responded with 48* in the preseason trial match and 47 & 44 to start the season proper. No doubt that elusive first half-century isn’t far away!
Well done Groobs & Puggles!
