ORANGE City will be boosted by the inclusion of former Newcastle University star Craig Rogan in today’s Orange District Cricket Association first grade game against Waratahs, at Jack Brabham (2).
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Rogan spent four years with Uni in the top grade of the prestigious Newcastle District Cricket Association, widely considered the strongest competition in the state outside Sydney, and was part of the Seadragons’ 2010-11 premiership winning team before moving to Orange early in the new year.
Rogan linked with the Warriors as a result of a long-term friendship with former Orange City quick, and reigning New South Wales Country cricketer of the year Josh Bennett.
After spending several weeks in Orange City’s second grade lineup, and helping the Warriors to back-to-back Royal Hotel Cup super six victories, Rogan gets his chance in first grade.
“I was aiming to get up into first grade at some stage,” Rogan said.
“The move has been great, obviously Joshy told me I should come to City and it was definitely the right choice. I feel like I’ve fitted in pretty well with a good bunch of blokes.
“It is a different world down here though. A lot more casual, the guys in Newcastle are very intense and don’t mind telling you what they think of you. It’s a nice change.”
Rogan conceded he knows little about today’s opposition, but is not completely unfamiliar with the Jack Brabham (2) ground.
The 23-year-old represented Macleay Valley in the final eight of the SCG Country Cup in 2009-10, when Orange hosted the finals.
“I remember playing out at Brabham,” he said.
“It was a pretty good deck back then, so hopefully it hasn’t changed too much. Apparently Tahs have struggled a bit this year, so hopefully we can get a good win up on them.”
Rogan’s goals for the remainder of the season are pretty simple: score runs, and plenty of them.
“Now I’m up in first grade I’d love to get some consistent runs, and hold my place,” he said.
Play between Orange City and Waratahs starts at 1pm.