New Fountain Gate coach Cameron Knight in action at the bowling crease during his stint with WGCA club Cardinia. The batsman is ex-Merinda Park now Hallam-Kalora Park bladesman Gary Davidson.By Marc McGowan
CAMERON Knight will attempt to lead Fountain Gate to Turf Two glory in the Dandenong District Cricket Association after being anointed as former captain-coach Brad Francis’ successor.
Francis will pad up for Dandenong in Victorian Premier Cricket in 2007-08, but Knight, 35, who beat out a number of applicants, is confident the club can cover for the star batsman.
“If we break it down, Brad made about 500 runs last year, so whoever takes his spot will make 250 and that leaves 250 runs in 11 games to the 10 other players,” Knight said.
“That’s two runs per player, which is not a massive amount, and I’m sure if you ask every player whether they can make an extra two runs per game, I’m sure they’ll say they can.”
Knight enjoyed a successful playing and coaching DDCA career with North Dandenong, Narre Warren and Doveton before joining Fountain Gate last year and snaring 22 wickets at an average of 14.1.
The Narre Warren resident also had an unhappy one-year stint as captain-coach with Cardinia in the West Gippsland Cricket Association, which he described as a ‘Mickey Mouse’ competition, in 2004.
“It’s good to be able to get a job with a good, young club who are looking good,” he said.
“I’ll just be looking to get some more games into our 16 to 20-year-olds and to capitalise on the work Brad Francis has done over the last few years.
“Hopefully, we can make the big step into a grand final.”
Pre-season senior training kicked off last Friday at 7pm at Sportsworx Sports Cricket Centre, Vesper Drive, Narre Warren.
The club’s junior registration day is next Tuesday, 28 August, at Max Pawsey Pavilion, Fountain Drive, Fountain Gate, between 4.30pm and 6pm.
Senior players will be in attendance and new players are welcome.
