LIFE MEMBER #99
James Finlay
The history of James Finlay as a Grange cricketer started back in the 2002-03 season playing as a raw-boned kid representing our Under 13 teams alongside other well known playing or recent identities in Richard Carter, Jacob Burridge, Travis Lane and Matty Gates. Despite his young age at the time he was never afraid to offer his services in the senior teams and played a number of times in our lower senior grades while still playing junior cricket on Sundays.
After steady progress through our various lower grade teams, after turning 17 and with a couple of “big” centuries he was awarded Cap No 249 for his A Grade debut in 2014-15 against Pembroke Old Scholars under the captaincy of Corey Knight. In a playing career spanning 269 games he is known as a real “dasher” when he has a bat in his hand and refuses to forego his attacking instincts which has unfortunately brought many promising innings to premature ends. James has scored 4652 runs with four centuries under his belt with a high score of 150 against Unley.
Later into his life as a player and in our hour of need he developed as a more than competent wicket keeper playing many A and B Grade games filling this important role. Also an excellent outfielder with a safe pair of hands he has sustained a number of nasty injuries diving for catches or “head butting” fences such is his commitment to the cause of winning for his team.
Off the field James has always supported the club at social functions and is always “around” when covers need to be put on or taken off and more recently has helped in a support role with our Under 10 and Under 12 teams as his two oldest sons Deklan and Carter are making their first tentative forays into competitive cricket. Always supported and encouraged by his wife Stephanie with his 4 year old twins Evelyn and Harvey playing in the background and supervised by James’s in-laws. One of Grange Cricket Club’s favourite families! Always very appreciative and goes out of his way to thank the volunteers on match days for the work going on behind the scenes.
It is with great pleasure we announce James Finlay as our latest LIFE MEMBER – its been one of life’s great joys having James being part of our community for the past 23 years where he has played out his whole cricket journey at the one club – hopefully many more to come.
A great news story. A most deserved recipient indeed. WELL DONE JAMES
