Kate and Tim rekindle historic cricket partnership
WHEN Tim Cox joined Kate Shanks at the crease in Monday’s Dubbo College versus Old Collegians match at No.1 Oval, it was a ‘back to the future’ moment.
Cox and Shanks have been names inscribed in Dubbo and District score books for over 100 years. The family friendships extend throughout the Coalbaggie region and were the backbone of Drinane Public School and local tennis and cricket teams.
Tim and Kate batted with an almost faultless understanding on Monday, perhaps an ancestral instinct that has permeated the genes.
Both have captained Dubbo High and CHS teams; both played all their cricket with RSL Colts and both have played first grade in Sydney. Indeed, Kate resumed her career at St George Sutherland this season after more than a decade out of the game.
The pair batted against a sprightly Dubbo College XI in the Mcgrath Foundation Charity match which was the brainchild of former DHS student and now College Sports Coordinator Craig May.
The Cox-shanks partnership was one of the scenarios he had hoped would ensue as the seeds of an ongoing tradition linking the modern educational hub with the colourful history of public high school in our city.
Unfortunately, the match was rained out with the Old Collegians 5/173. Kate and Tim were still together, having added 68 runs to steady the ship, after Ben Wheeler and impressive quick Will Grant had snaffled three quick wickets.
Ben Patterson was ruthless in a cameo half century for the ex-students and fellow Indigenous national team player, Marty Jeffrey, looked polished before holing out.
One nice touch was when former NSW Country Cricketer of the Year, Tim Cox, singled out left-armer Mitch Lincoln for special praise at the end of the match.
“He kept the seam up which is promising. He has plenty of potential,” the experienced fast bowler observed.
Craig May is hoping the event will develop into an annual feature on the College calendar.
“Once the match was announced I had 30 or 40 former students indicate an interest in getting involved. There are plenty of ideas. If things work out we could have former Sydney first grade captains like Paul Bourke, David Carson, Dave Taylor and Nathan Pilon returning.
“Maybe they could make guest appearances leading the College team. That would provide a real boost for the students, knowing these leading lights were nurtured in their own school,” Craig added.