THE Barker electorate again had a cricket-playing incumbent with Tony Pasin pulling on the whites for a guest appearance in a match for Rendelsham last month.
Rendelsham is true “blue” territory for his Liberal Party as it has had its own branch of the party for over 70 years.
His presence was welcomed as his team was missing regular players due to injuries and other commitments.
Although Mr Pasin only made three runs in the home ground match against reigning premiers Millicent, he received kudos from the crowd for “walking” after getting a faint edge on an attempted leg glance which carried through to wicket keeper Mitchell Nitschke.
One wag in the crowd said it was good to see an honest politician.
Mr Pasin occasionally represents his home club South Gambier in the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association.
He told The South Eastern Times he had enjoyed his brief time as a Rendelsham and would play again next summer if invited.
He said he appreciated the close connection with the local community which is shown by the cricket club.
“It was my first time at the Rendelsham Oval and it is an ideal place for cricket,” Mr Pasin said.
“I would have liked to have made a few more runs.
“I did not get a bowl and I dropped a tough chance when I was fielding at cover.
“I copped a fine for that, another fine for my low score and another for not using the gate to enter the playing arena.”
His next game will be the annual Press versus Parliament match next month.
Mr Pasin said few people watched games in the Mount Gambier association but his game at Rendelsham attracted a gathering of 50.
Another former member for Barker Ian McLachlan played with the Yahl Cricket Club in this competition in the 1960s and 1970s.
Mr McLachlan was living locally at the time as he managing one of his family’s properties: Nangwarry Station.
He played 72 matches of first-class cricket for Cambridge University and South Australia between 1956 and 1964, scoring 3743 runs at an average of 31.72 as well as six wickets.
The highest of his nine centuries was 188 and he was made 12th man when the Australian team played England at the Adelaide Oval during the 1962/63 season.
