Woodend Cricket Club has pulled off a recruiting coup by obtaining the services of an experienced and explosive former First-Class cricketer as a player and coach.
Jacques Du Toit, originally from South Africa, has played a wealth of high-level cricket in England and now brings that knowledge, skill and passion to Woodend.
“He had a lot of offers from clubs around Australia, but ultimately decided on Woodend as our values aligned,” club president Daniel Heaney said.
Du Toit has already fitted in seamlessly at Woodend after arriving last week and shaking off jet lag before playing his first game in the senior side on Saturday.
He was pleased to capture three wickets and make 19 not out in the McIntyre Cup 1sts match against Broadford.
This is his first trip to Australia, and he feels he can certainly contribute positively both on and off the field this season.
He said he would have to make an adjustment from turf to hard wickets, and his initial impressions of Woodend were very favourable.
Rugby was his favourite sport as a youngster in South Africa, and he soon became involved in cricket.
His knowledge, skill and passion are big pluses, and he has his own cricket coaching company in the United Kingdom.
Heaney said Du Toit would be providing elite coaching to develop the club’s juniors and seniors as the club pushed forward at all levels this season.
He is looking forward to working with senior coach Josh Eastley and new development coach Tim Bannan to deliver a top quality coaching program for all of the club’s senior and junior players.
IMPRESSIVE RECORD
Du Toit’s record as a hard-hitting bat and fast-medium bowler speaks for itself.
He scored four First-Class centuries when playing County Cricket for Leicestershire County Cricket Club.
Playing for Newcastle in the North-East Premier League, Du Toit chalked up moe than 10,000 runs at an average of 47.
In a T20 match last May, he scored 142 not out for Newcastle from just 38 balls!
Woodend has some additional players this season.
Former star junior Oliver Price returns after playing a few seasons with Brunswick and spending summers in the UK playing cricket.
Teenager Ollie Watt, a very talented young cricketer and footballer, has moved from Hanging Rock CC to Woodend hoping to play at the top level in the GDCA this season.
Young brothers Jayben and Kyan Bannan are also in their first season at Woodend.
