A dark cloud will linger over Sunshine United Cricket Club for the rest of the summer.
The death of young cricketer James Wilson in a road accident just over a week ago is still too raw for his teammates to comprehend.
Senior coach Ben Foster described the tragedy as “terrible” for all members of the club.
“We had a minute’s silence last week,” he told Star Weekly. “We wore black armbands and had everyone back to the club last Saturday night.
“What do you do when someone dies? You get together and you all want to be close.”
In times of tragedy, sporting clubs pull together like no other, and United was no different.
The club’s website conveyed the thoughts of the United family: “The committee and extended Sunshine United family are deeply saddened and extend our deepest sympathies to James’ family and loved ones. A true clubman taken far too early.”
Wilson was just 22.
His obituary spoke of a young man with a passion for sport, in particular footy, cricket and darts.
United wanted Wilson’s memory to live on at Selwyn Park, so they played a friendly T20 match in his name on Sunday against the Sunshine baseballers, some of whom knew him.
“They’re going to make it an annual thing to remember James and everything he meant to the club and everyone here,” Foster said.
“We have quite a good relationship with the baseball club because some of the baseballers have played cricket here and some of the cricketers have played baseball there.”
The show has to go on for United, and it must have gone into battle in Turf Cricket’s West A1 division on Saturday empowered by a 12th man looking down on them.
Foster said it was a big day for the first XI, not because top spot was up for grabs against Wyndhamvale but because they had the chance to honour a teammate on their home ground.
Daniel Pace did so in the best possible way, scoring 52 of United’s total of 148.
Pace was a model of concentration, sparing the innings from collapse.
“They tied us down pretty well early, bowled a good line,” Foster said. “He batted well and was good enough to work them around.”
Handy contributions from Dale McLeod (32) and Indika Dharmawardane (28) provided United’s bowlers with a score they are capable of defending.
“It’s a terribly slow outfield here so it’s probably worth 200,” Foster said
“We would’ve liked to have scratched out another 30 or 40, but we’re certainly capable of defending the score on our home ground.
“Other teams might not realise how slow the ground can be, so you can build pressure quite easily here provided you bowl well, of course.”
By not batting out time, United’s bowlers at least had five overs late to eat into the order.
New-ball operator Shaun Tarrant needed no second invitation, removing Falcons captain and dangerman Andrew Ford cheaply.
“He’s probably their best batsman,” Foster said. “It’s a handy wicket to get.”
