It’s all about the team, says Dunk

Ben Dunk leads Royton’s bid for CLL Premier Division cricket in 2014.

CRICKET:

TEAM first, himself second is Ben Dunk’s approach to cricket - despite his individual heroics for the Lake Garage CLL club so far this season.

The Australian has already hit three centuries for the Paddock outfit, the most recent 146 off only 82 balls against Crompton.

Dunk tops the league’s professional batting averages by a wide margin. But the achievements of Royton CC matter most to the Queenslander.

“I’ve got 400 runs already so would be looking to get in the 1,000s” he said. “But it’s promotion for the team I’m interested in. If I have to sacrifice my wicket for a win that’s what I will do.”

There have been instances over the years of overseas professionals batting for their average — but that is clearly not the case with the amicable Aussie.

“I thought it would take a bit longer to adjust to the wickets here. But I have been lucky in that they have been dry rather than the other way round,” he said. “I am more happy at the way the club is faring at the moment. We are 14 points clear of the third club in the championship and if we can keep that

consistency we will have gone a long way towards promotion.”

He admits he is “really looking forward to” Saturday’s Lees Bitter Twenty20 Competition quarter-final against Littleborough.

“Their professional, Clinton Perren, is a great friend and was a mentor to me when I started out in Brisbane,” he said. “This will be the first time I will have played against him – it would be great to get him out!”