A CHANCE to return home to England with his first major premiership is driving fast bowler Connor Lord.
Lord said a major title has eluded him since he started playing senior cricket as a 14-year-old in the north of England.
Lord arrived in Australia last year and landed at Marist Brothers through the Cricket Exchange Agency.
He could turn out to be the missing piece of the puzzle.
The 29-year-old was identified by the club when it realised it needed another opening bowler to push for the title.
It paid off with Lord taking 30 wickets this season and taking on a leadership role in the team.
He also formed a lethal combination with opening bowler Brendan Mitchell and all-rounder Kaleb Auld.
"This season has been everything I could have wished for really," Lord said.
"The club has been fantastic on and off the field.
"They wanted an opening bowler and this was something I had wanted to do for years.
"It's been a long time for some of the boys and they really deserve to have the success."
Lord captains his club side in Bolton and is one of the best opening bowlers across the Lancashire leagues.
He is a the junior cricket coordinator at his club and works as a PE teacher.
He has played in team built around youth this season while keeping himself busy working at Farmer Charlies.
The chance to play in Australia was something he had wanted to do for years before his plans stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He has played back-to-back seasons in England and Australia and is gearing up to play again when he returns home in April.
Being part of a Brothers side which breaks a 27-year premiership drought would be the ultimate farewell gift.
"I couldn't ask for more," he said.
"It's already been an amazing experience in Australia and a win here would just top it off.
"Our bowling attack would be up there with one of the best, we've got a bit of everything.
"At home we're big on bringing our juniors through and there is fantastic foundation for that here, too.
"We've beaten Cudgen already this season, but they had a few out, so we're expecting a totally different game this time around."
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Mitchell Craig
Australian Community Media journalist with over 15 years' experience in providing quality news and sport stories. For story ideas and news tips contact me on mitchell.craig@lismorecitynews.com.au
Australian Community Media journalist with over 15 years' experience in providing quality news and sport stories. For story ideas and news tips contact me on mitchell.craig@lismorecitynews.com.au
