Go west, young man
Newcastle Herald
Thursday March 31, 2011
NEWCASTLE'S Western Australia fast bowler Michael Hogan has encouraged University quick Josh Anderson to follow him to Perth if the opportunity arises.Anderson, 24, who starred for the ACT Comets in the Futures League this season, is rumoured to have attracted interest from the Warriors.WA coach and former South African mentor Mickey Arthur has axed a host of experienced players, including Steve Magoffin, Luke Towers and David Bandy, while veterans Ashley Noffke and Brett Dorey have retired.Hogan moved to Perth two years ago with a guaranteed state contract, but the Herald understands Anderson would have to press for Warriors Second XI selection through Perth grade cricket.It is a step Hogan recommends."It's always daunting to make the move, but the environment over here is second to none and it's been shown over the past year that they're looking for players to take the state forward," Hogan said."If the opportunity comes along, you definitely take it, for sure. There's a few guys who have done that [gone through grade cricket]."If you take your chances, you're halfway there."The Warriors will have plenty of new faces next summer, but one player certain to be leading the attack at the WACA Ground is Hogan.Last Thursday the former Merewether paceman capped off a stellar second season of first-class cricket by winning the Laurie Sawle Medal for the WA player of the year and the Excalibur award for the player who best upholds the spirit of the Warriors as voted by the WACA State Match Committee.Former Test opener Geoff Marsh and all-rounder Tom Moody are previous winners of the Laurie Sawle Medal, which is decided by umpires, officials and media.Arthur said the 29-yer-old was a worthy recipient."I thought Michael was fantastic this year," Arthur said."He carried our attack in the absence of many senior players through injury and he thoroughly deserved all of the accolades that came to him at the end of the season."Hogan took 31 wickets in Sheffield Shield, 50-over and Twenty20 cricket, basing his success on a simple approach of bowling line and length."I don't really change much with how I bowl, so I knew it worked for the first time and there was no reason to change it again," Hogan said. "I've done the exact same thing since I was playing grade cricket in Newcastle."The loss of experienced bowlers will open the door for Hogan to lead the attack, but he has mixed emotions about their departure."Although we're not exactly sure who we're signing yet, you know that Mickey's track record shows he knows what he's doing," he said."I'm looking forward to next year, but I'm a little disappointed for the guys who have been forced to leave."
© 2011 Newcastle Herald
