Orange City premiership-winning finger spinner Stu Naden, who now plays for Sydenham in Christchurch, New Zealand, is making a guest appearance in Dubbo District Cricket Association’s top grade for another of his former clubs, CYMS, as the Coughers eye off a rare RSL-Whitney Cup finals berth.
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The well-travelled Englishman spent a season with the Warriors in 2012-13, helping them claim the Orange District Cricket Association premiership along with the Royal Hotel Cup title, before linking with Coughers for two seasons and then jetting to Aotearoa this summer.
Back in Australia for the Christmas and New Year’s period, Naden made himself available for the Warriors but wasn’t able to play, but he’ll now feature for a CYMS side missing several regulars against Rugby on Saturday.
“It’s always special to put on the Cougars shirt on and it’s really enjoyable being back,” he said.
“The numbers are a bit down so that’s one reason why (I’m playing), I didn’t want to just come in and take someone’s place.
“I’ve been checking the scores online and the club has been doing a lot better this season and on a bit of a winning run and I want to keep that going.”
Rugby will be without Jordan Moran at No. 2 Oval, who is currently playing at the Australian Country Cricket Championships at Wollongong, but that isn’t anything new for the men in sky blue.
The powerful left-hander has only played for his club twice so far this season due to the huge amount of representative cricket he has played for Dubbo, Macquarie Valley, Western Zone, the Orana Outlaws and now NSW Country.
Despite his absence, Rugby has got better and better so far this season and currently sits in second spot on the ladder behind runaway leaders RSL-Colts.
CYMS on the other hand, are sitting fifth but are equal on points with South Dubbo and Newton in third and fourth respectively.
The CYMS bowling attack will be without Knaggs brothers Ben and Sam, with Naden expected to feature with his off-spin as well as bat at the top of the order.
After taking some time adjust to the pitches in New Zealand, something Naden describes as similar to his home in England, he has found form and a haul of 6/22 against Marist Harewood was a real highlight.
“I wouldn’t play if I didn’t feel like I could contribute,” he said of Saturday.
“I want to keep the run going and another good thing is I get to play with Lewis Matthews, whose a friend but I’ve never played with him before so that will be special.”
Naden was crucial in getting fellow Englishman Matthews out to the Cougars this season and there is every chance the pair may bat and bowl together at some stage during Saturday’s 50-over match.
Plays begins at 12pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
