By David Nagel
Premier Division captain and opening bat Jack Anning will carry added responsibility next summer after being announced captain/coach of the Pakenham Cricket Club for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Anning replaces long-term coach Rob Elston, who informed the club prior to last season that he would be stepping down as head coach after nine seasons in the role.
PCC President Phil Anning said the unselfish nature of Elston had allowed the club precious time to assess its coaching options.
A sub-committee led by Ben Maroney and Brad Molineux has worked diligently behind the scenes to ensure the right choice was made.
“First up, on behalf of the club, I’d like to thank Rob for the enormous contribution he has made over the last decade,” President Anning said.
“Robbie advised us 12 months ago that this season would be his last, which gave us plenty of time to put together a sub-committee to investigate who our best options as coach would be moving forward.
“The sub-committee came back with a recommendation, after speaking to people inside and outside the club.
“They took into consideration how Jack conducted himself on Saturday and Thursday nights at training, and that he was the best person to lead us for next season.”
The President said the focus had now switched to finding a replacement for Elston; the Team of the Year wicketkeeper in CCCA Premier Division this season.
“Obviously with Robbie retiring we’re in the market for a wicketkeeper, and we’re speaking to quite a few people that can hopefully fill that role for us,” Anning said.
“We also believe that we need to add a little more depth to our batting.
“We probably never replaced Dale (Tormey) for last season and obviously if want to be competitive again, with the expected improvement of clubs like Clyde and Devon Meadows, and Officer coming back in… we’re going to need to get better.
“We know we have to recruit in those areas to maintain our competitiveness in the Premier Division.”
Anning said the club had a good crop of youngsters that were ready for breakout seasons in the top flight.
“We fell away after Christmas, but internally within the club we expect improvement from players like Jackson Luka, Jackson Myers and Mitch Varty and that will hold us in pretty good stead,” he said.
“We just need some experienced players to work with those youngsters and let them develop around them.”
