WORKERS Gol Gol have been boosted on the eve of the 2020-2021 Sunraysia Cricket Association season with star import-turned-local Shacaya Thomas signing on for three more seasons.
The 32-year-old Jamaican powerhouse, who has 1742 runs at 37.87 and 33 wickets at an average a touch under 19 since joining the club for 2017-2018, is highly regarded as one of the competition’s top batsmen and was excited to be back in the green and gold.
Having played cricket at first-class level in the West Indies, Caribbean Premier League cricket for Antigua, as well as club cricket in England, Thomas said he’d thoroughly enjoyed his stint in Australia so far.
“It’s been really good these first three years at Gol Gol, I’m looking forward to this season,” Thomas said.
“Because of the COVID-19 crisis we’re pretty lucky to be having a season and I’m pretty sure everyone is looking forward to it.”
Workers Gol Gol captain-coach Adam Thomson was delighted to have “Shac” back.
“To have him for three more seasons will be a huge boost for the club,” he said.
“Obviously his playing ability we all know about, but around the club all the junior kids love him and we’ve had lots of them look up to him, so hopefully that will encourage them more as well.”
Workers Gol Gol made the 2019-2020 SCA First Division grand final however did not have the chance to contest the match due to the grand finals being called off amid the COVID-19 pandemic – the flag was awarded to top-of-the-table Mildura Settlers. With Thomas, last season’s joint Innes medallist Wade Hancock and the likes of Thomson and Nick Jensen, the club is expected to be a strong contender again.
“Our side will be pretty similar to last year, we’ll just struggle with the two Riverland boys (Jake Albrecht and Josh Deren) who will only play home games and Coomealla games at this stage because they can’t come into Victoria,” Thomson said.
This season’s fixtures are all limited-overs matches, which Thomson said suits the 2019-2020 white ball cup finalists.
“We lost the one-day final last year but I reckon in the two years I’ve been at the club I think we’ve only lost a couple of white-ball games,” he said.
“Players like Shac who are versatile with bat and ball are more important in one-day cricket.”
Thomas agreed.
“I think it suits our style of play as a team, I think limited overs will more favour us,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to it.”
