Reigning premiers Gisborne has again strengthened its line up for the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season.
The club announced on Wednesday that Brenton Cook was joining the club and would add to the side’s top order batting, before announcing the signing of South African-born American cricket Obus Pienaar
Cook is a familiar name to cricket in Melbourne west.
“Brenton arrives at Gardiner Reserve with an impressive cricketing resume and a reputation as a proven leader,” the Dragons said on social media. “He joins us from Melton Sub-District Cricket Club, where he captained the first XI over the past two seasons.
“His playing career has taken him across the country and overseas.”
Among Cook’s resume is being captain-coach of St Albans in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division in 2021-22, where he averaged more than 40 with the bat.
He spent three seniors playing Western Australian Premier Cricket while also had two seasons playing for Langley in the United Kingdom as an overseas professional where he played a key role in helping the club earn promotion both seasons and have cup success.
“A hard hitting right hand bat and respected mentor, Brenton brings both on-field quality and strong leadership. His wealth of experience will be a major asset to our first XI and an important part of our senior playing group and club culture,” the Dragons said.
“We’re also pleased to share that Brenton has recently moved to Gisborne, adding another quality local cricketer to our playing ranks.”
Meanwhile, Pienaar joins the Dragons having played 95 first-class matches in South Africa scoring more than 6,000 runs.
He holds the record for the fastest double century in South African domestic cricket.
Internationally, Obus made headlines in the NCU Premier League, where he smashed a record-breaking 244 off just 114 balls, surpassing AB de Villiers’ previous high score of 233.
Currently, Obus is competing in the USA’s Major League Cricket (MLC) competition for the Washington Freedom,.
The Dragons said he was one of the most accomplished players to ever join the GDCA.
Once settled in Gisborne with his wife and daughter, he will be involved in junior development, offering one-on-one coaching and playing a key role in building the future of cricket at Gisborne.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome someone of Obus’s calibre, professionalism, and international experience,” said president Greg Hall. “His influence on and off the field will be immense not just for our senior players, but especially for our juniors who will benefit from his guidance and leadership.”
