PBC’S POMS
LIONS’ IMPORTS CHASE GLORY
HE’S front and centre of the UK contingent hoping to lead Palm Beach Currumbin to the Kookaburra Cup Promised Land.
But the lessons learned on his Australian odyssey could carry emerging Scottish quick Rory Hanley to even greater triumphs as he warms up for the biggest moment of his burgeoning career. Having arrived Down Under a month ago, Hanley‘s transition into life with the Lions has been aided by the presence of Englishmen Finn Lonnberg, Max Williamson and Jack Anderson at the club.
In two first-grade appearances, he has shown only glimpses of the potential that has earned academy contracts with English County side Durham over the past two seasons, finishing with 0-23 and 3-43.
Born in Scotland but raised in the northern English city of Newcastle, Hanley came to Salk Oval after helping the Scots book a spot at next year’s Under-19 World Cup with five wins from as many matches in July’s qualifying tournament in the Netherlands.
With his time in Australia steeling him for January’s
cup trip to South Africa, the 18-year-old said his Palm Beach stint had already proven worthwhile.
“That was the main thing, coming over to improve my cricket. The conditions are so different out here so it’s good to learn new skills and hopefully bring them back to England,” Hanley said.
“I didn’t know what to expect (in Australia) but it’s
been unbelievable.
I’ve been here for four weeks and it’s one of the best moments of my life.
“It’s been a great experience to get out of England and see what it’s like on the other side of the world. I’m living with all the English lads and it’s been really easy to settle in.
“(The World Cup) will be a really good experience (without) really knowing what to expect.
Being in that environment, especially for Scotland, it will be good to challenge a few of the big boys in international cricket.
“I just want to be as good as I can be and try and help Scotland win some games and qualify for the knockouts if we can. We’re really looking forward to it.”
While the international tournament will temporarily halt Hanley’s time with the Lions, he is determined to help them improve on last season’s fifthplaced finish.
Having fallen to Helensvale Pacific Pines before downing Runaway Bay last weekend, Palm Beach will travel to Choice Homes Oval today for a one-day clash with a Coomera Hope Island outfit coming off an impressive win over Southport Labrador.
“I think we’ve definitely got a good chance (of making finals), we’ve got a good team. Hopefully we’ll be in and around that top four, it would be good to qualify,” Hanley said. “It’s pretty similar (standard) to the leagues that we’ve got back home. It’s challenging. All the lads (at Palm Beach) are really friendly and it’s a really good club so it’s been easy settling in.”