Update from Down Under: Hankins helps Seahorses to one-day title
7 March 2016
George Hankins has helped his Australian club side win their one-day competition as Gloucestershire’s batsmen continue to rack up the runs Down Under.
The 19-year-old (back row 3rd from right) made 53 for Glenelg CC in the West End One Day Cup grand final (see pic) - which was played at the famous Adelaide Oval.
His team – nicknamed “The Seahorses” scored 275-6 before bowling Tea Tree Gully out for 196 in South Australia’ Premier 50 over club tournament.
George finished as the competition’s leading runscorer with 328 runs at an average of 82. He has also transferred his form to the two-day format with 571 runs at 71 in 1st Grade cricket – including 70 in last Saturday’s game with East Torrens – the club where Ian Cockbain has played for the past two winters.
The Bath CC batsman – who signed his first professional contract in September – has been spending the close-season at the Darren Lehman Cricket Academy alongside fellow Glos Academy graduate Brandon Gilmour.
Elsewhere in Australia, Michael Klinger and Cameron Bancroft both made centuries for Western Australia in their last match – a 24 run win over Queensland.
Klinger made 102 not out in the second innings of the Sheffield Shield clash after Bancroft – who will join Gloucestershire for the first two months of the season – scored 171 in the first innings and 45 in the second.
The centuries continue the pair’s impressive domestic form this winter.
Bancroft, who made his Australia debut in a T20 v India in January, has now made 714 at 47.6 in four day cricket while Klinger has 609 at a shade over 50.
The other Australian joining Gloucestershire this summer is fast bowler Andrew Tye who played for his country in the first match of their T20 series with South Africa. He didn’t feature in the second match but could still play in the decider on March 9.
Jack Taylor and Will Tavare enjoyed success in Australia this winter for Melbourne Grade side Kingston Hawthorn before returning home at the end of February.
Jack averaged 474 at 31.6 all cricket with the bat and 29 at 16.4 with the ball. This included 19 wickets at 12 in two day cricket and 7 at 12 in T20 matches. The offspinning allrounder scored 194 runs at 97 in T20 cricket while Tavare saved his best form for the 50 over competition with 192 runs at 38.
