Meet our Captains

Photo featuring two of our morning grade captains, Jamal Sukhon (centre without cap), and Marek Bungard (foreground).

They’re the sporting leaders at Heathcote Cricket Club, our captains, and they put in a massive amount of work both on and off the field.

This season we have a couple of changes in personnel, both brought about by injury. Joe Barratt will skipper the 2nd XI until Shaun Berryman returns from injury, while Marek Bungard is leading the 3rd XI as a stress fracture keeps him from bowling.

Meet our morning grade captains:

1st XI

Jamal Sukhon

Jamal transferred to Heathcote Cricket Club in 2019 and took on the captaincy halfway through the 2020-21 season. Aged just 20, Jamal was the youngest captain in the premiership grade, but immediately impressed with his calm demeanour, astute decision-making and excellent support for the bowlers from his fielding position at mid-on and -off.

With his off-spin bowling and ability to bat anywhere in the order, Jamal is always involved in the game and epitomises the essence of a team man.

Jamal says the goal this season is to push into the top four over all.

“If we continue improving as we have been, we will get there,” he says.

“We have lost a few bowlers to injury and family commitments, but our recruitment in the off-season has been strong. We’ve got a crop of young pace bowlers competing for places, Jimmy Hunt is back, and our new coach Tyler Lortan’s professionalism is pushing all of us to step up. With a couple of overseas players to arrive, our team is looking really strong.”

2nd XI

Shaun Berryman

Shaun has been skippering the 2nd XI for the past two and half seasons, taking the team ever closer to winning Division 1. He is without a doubt the best wicket keeper in the grade and has played several crucial knocks with the bat.

Shaun’s temperament and follow-me leadership style is widely acknowledged in the club, prompting his elevation to deputy club captain this season.

Asked what his goal for the season is, Shaun’s response amounted to one word: “Promotion.”

Unfortunately, a knee injury means Shaun will miss a chunk of the season. Standing in for him will be:

Joe Barratt

Joe has been a member a Heathcote for four seasons and has worked his way up from the 4th XI. A senior member of the 3rd XI last season, Joe has stood out in pre-season and is seen as having potential to play premiership-level cricket.

His left-arm orthodox spin is getting better and better, while he handy with the bat. His fielding is of a high standard and his “rocket arm” is the best in the club.

Joe sees his role as a caretaker skipper until Shaun return. He echoes Shaun’s ambition. “We’re going to win this grade. There’s so much quality in the side from the batting experience of John Garry and Matthew House at the top, to the ability of Grant Stewart and Nick Turner with the new ball,” he says, adding: “I just can’t wait for cricket time.”

3rd XI

Marek Bungard

What is Marek doing in this team?

The premiership team’s strike bowler has unfortunately got a stress fracture, which is preventing him from bowling. Ever the club man, Marek is going to skipper the 3rd XI and play as a specialist batsman.

“It’s unfamiliar territory for me, but I know the guys from training and will have plenty of support around me. The aim is the win the grade, which we were agonisingly close to doing last season. I’m looking forward to it.”