By RUSSELL BENNETT
IT’S safe to say Saturday was a big one in the D’Rozario household.
Dad Shane and son Jonathan became the first father-son combination in the decade-long history of the Lynbrook Cricket Club to walk out side-by-side in the Lakers’ firsts.
And in the change rooms during the build-up to Lynbrook’s Turf 4 clash with Coomoora at Marriott Waters Reserve, Shane said the occasion “was right up there with playing on the MCG”.
Shane, the current coach of the Lakers and captain of its Turf 4 side, has a long and decorated Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) career to his name.
He won the Alan Wookey Medal as the best and fairest Division 1 player of the 2006/07 season and spent well over a decade at Buckley Ridges – winning a Turf 1 flag during his time at the club.
He has also played on the MCG twice during his career, but being able to play in the same senior side as his son gave him a special thrill.
“I’m buzzing, to be honest,” Shane said less than an hour before Saturday’s play began.
“I thought this would still be a few years away but he’s come along quickly and it’s been a pleasant surprise.
“Availability of players does have a bit to do with it but at the same time the cricket club is trying to promote the kids as quickly as possible.
“Jonno is training with the senior guys and doing really well so he deserves his chance.”
Shane is currently in his third season at Lynbrook – a young club, but one that has taken impressive steps forward over recent seasons.
Jonathan could well play a key role in its future.
Asked what he loves most about the sport, he said: “Just the tension – going out there in your whites and having a bowl.”
The 12-year-old leg-spinner had only ever really “mucked around” on turf pitches prior to his debut on Saturday but his mother was forever telling him to put down his cricket bat at home.
Like his old man, he lives and breathes the sport.
He captained the under-12 DDCA team that took out the Mitchell Shield last season and during the 2014/15 pre-season got some valuable coaching from Berwick Turf 1 player Bathiya Perera.
He has played up a grade in the under-15s this season and has also trialled with a representative under-14 side.
But he was probably dealing with more than his fair share of butterflies on Saturday.
“I think he’s a little bit nervous but I think they’re good nerves,” said a beaming Shane.
Lynbrook (153) won its rain-shortened Round 3 one-day clash with Coomoora (127) on Saturday by 26 runs.
Shane top-scored for the Lakers with 48 while Jonathan (2), who got the chance to bat with his father, scored his first runs in the club’s firsts.
