Sport
14 November, 2022
Reigning champs make biggest statement of MDCA season with Samut Gohil signing
Laanecoorie Dunolly have made the biggest splash of the Maryborough District Cricket Association (MDCA) season thus far, with Indian first-class cricketer Samit Gohil arriving from Tripura. Gohil’s first innings with the team on Saturday against...
Laanecoorie Dunolly have made the biggest splash of the Maryborough District Cricket Association (MDCA) season thus far, with Indian first-class cricketer Samit Gohil arriving from Tripura.
Gohil’s first innings with the team on Saturday against Colts Phelans suggested that he looks set to fit in to Laane’s setup nicely, top scoring for the team with 40 runs, while also contributing on the field with the run out of Colts’ captain Rhys Egan.
Gohil has played 53 first class matches for Gujurat and Tripura, scoring five hundreds and 17 fifties at an impressive first-class average of 35.46 as an opening batsman, while his List A average currently sits at 43.72.
He also holds a first-class cricket world record, with a standout innings in 2016 yielding an unbeaten 359 runs in a marathon 964-minute innings — a record for any player who has carried the bat in an innings as an opener, while it is the second highest second-innings score in a first-class innings behind Don Bradman’s 452 for New South Wales in 1930.
Last season, Gohil had played first class and List A matches for Tripura, scoring two hundreds.
For Gohil, cricket is all about his level of preparation, and ensuring that he can contribute in all three facets, whether it is with the bat, in the field, or as a bowler.
“It’s a nice experience from the club side of my career,” he said.
“The process for me will be to make sure I help out with what the team needs, by getting my match preparation right, working out how the wickets here behave and whether they are a bit bouncier or whether they seam a little bit. I prepared well before coming here.
“My performances have shown some consistency, which I really like. In every match, whether it is fielding, batting or bowling, I always give 100 percent. I always focus on the process, not on performance. If the process is nice and the preparation is good, the performance will also be very nice.
“I always look to watch the ball and play the ball. It’s my process. I always look for a positive mindset when I’m batting.”
Gohil praised the work of Laanecoorie Dunolly president Ralph Williams, who he says has been “fantastic” in giving him any assistance needed to settle into the area, while he’ll also be looking to give back to the team’s younger players.
“Ralph has been fantastic in helping me whenever I have any questions or need any help,” he said.
“The town is totally different. It’s very nice, the place I am staying at is very nice. The beauty of nature is there as well. I am enjoying it here.
“I have a bit of experience in cricket, so I will look to help the younger players and under 16 players.”
Gohil is only looking to win in his time at Laane — as his opening innings showed on Saturday, helping guide them from a shaky start to a position where they could dictate terms thanks to his quickfire 40.
“I will try my best to win for the club in both the one-day and two-day competitions. I’ll be aiming to contribute in fielding, batting and bowling,” he said.
“It’s a great opportunity for both myself and the club. I enjoy both the one-day format and test format. My batting style makes it enjoyable and I always prepare for both styles of game.”
While Gohil has already stated that he is loving the club, he hasn’t yet decided whether he’ll play regularly in Australia, instead choosing to take it just one day at a time.
“At the moment, I’m only thinking one match and one day at a time. I’m not thinking about the future yet. It’s the way I prepare, only thinking about the next day. Once I have finished the season, I’ll decide whether I’ll continue playing here. But I love this club,” he said.
With Gohil making his debut in style over the weekend, his next assignment will be a game against Maryborough next weekend at True Blue Floors Oval.