Ace Dunk gears up for his home run

Ben Dunk: leaving before the season ends

CRICKET:

AUSSIE Ben Dunk arrived late at the Paddock – and is going home early.

But despite his curtailed season as Royton professional, Dunk has made an immense contribution towards the club’s aim of playing Premier Division cricket in 2014.

Dunk informed Royton officials recently that he had to return home on August 19. The Tasmania state cricketer explained: “The domestic season in Australia has been brought forward a couple of weeks, mainly because of the back-to-back Ashes.

“Tasmania are having a pre-season tour. We will be playing a couple of warm-up games against Victoria and South Australia. Royton have been very good about this and I am hoping that we can get even closer to securing promotion before I have to go.”

Dunk’s arrival in Britain was delayed by visa problems but from the moment he touched down in May, he set the league alight with a series of stunning displays, including five centuries, the most recent a 102-ball 192 against Ashton which took him past 1,000 runs for the season.

Dunk’s popularity at the Paddock has already resulted in a contract for 21014.

Though Royton haven’t yet won promotion from the Championship, they are 18 points clear of third-placed Crompton with eight fixtures left.

So while they can still be caught it seems extremely unlikely - especially as Dunk is available for the next two weekends and three games.