JACK Sunderland’s love for the south-west has the English all-rounder determined to return as West Warrnambool chases redemption from a heartbreaking semi-final exit.
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The 24-year-old became the second-consecutive overseas-born Warrnambool cricketer of the year on Wednesday night, taking the mantle from Port Fairy’s Jason Perera.
Sunderland (22 votes) clinched the honour from Allansford mentor Dan Schuppan (18) and Merrivale co-captain Jeremy Burgess (18), who tied for second.
The West Sussex native revealed West Warrnambool’s tight-knit side had the south-west feeling like a “second home”.
“I love it here. I’ve already sorted out accommodation and stuff for next (season),” Sunderland said.
“I’m looking forward to going home as well in May. I don't want the people at home to think I’m hating them. I’m missing them a lot.
“I’ll definitely head home for a little bit and hopefully come back stronger, fitter and ready to go to help the club start really well.”
Sunderland was simply destructive.
He made his mark prior to Christmas, blasting 252 runs and clinching 22 wickets.
He finished West Warrnambool’s campaign – which included a breakthrough semi-final appearance – with 41 wickets and 346 runs.
Sunderland’s best on-field effort arrived in round 16, with the Worthing Thunder basketballer’s 11 wickets across two innings helping West Warrnambool to a vital outright victory.
Sunderland’s teammate, Mark McLean, helped West Warrnambool claim a double in taking out the division two cricketer of the year award.
McLean snared 29 scalps and also claimed the division two bowling average at 7.66.
Russells Creek veteran Andy Prisco lifted his second-consecutive third-grade prize, blasting 688 runs en route to the division’s cricketer of the year.
Prisco revealed he stepped back from bowling this season in order to conserve his aging body.
“I think it was a bit of old age and with my knee, which is a long-term injury, it was better to not put pressure on that,” the opening batsman said.
Prisco captained one of Creek’s two division three sides alongside Andrew Thomson and praised the arrangement.
“It was a joint effort – he did a lot of the stuff because I struggle to get to weeknights and trainings and things like that,” he said.
“It worked out well. He’s a bit of a motivator and I just make some strategic decisions when he was talking too much.”
Grace Farrer was recognised for outstanding achievements by a female cricketer, taking out the Steph Townsend award.
