PEMBROKE SIGN MEHTA FOR 2022 AS LAWSON RETURNS TO THE HELM

Pembroke CC are setting themselves up for a big season in 2022, as they look to build on an another excellent season last term which saw them knocked out in a final game showdown by the eventual winners of the SportsHub Senior League Cup, Merrion, before they succumbed to the same opposition in the final of the BUAKIT Premier League.

Their new overseas player for the 2022 season is a familiar face to many around Leinster, having played for Merrion in 2018 and Phoenix in 2019, and Pembroke will be hoping that the addition of Poonish Mehta to their ranks will boost their seam bowling department which is often forced to cope without Irish internationals Barry McCarthy and Josh Little.

Mehta has a superb record in his time in Ireland, across his two seasons in the province he's played 43 matches, in that time he has amassed a total of 1137 runs at an average of just under 44, which has included no fewer than 10 half-centuries. Whilst with ball in hand he's taken a massive 71 wickets at an average of just 13.8. His exploits helped propel Merrion to the Premier League title in 2018, when they were also runners-up in the Irish Senior Cup and the Alan Murray Cup.

The other big change in the Pembroke squad is the return of Theo Lawson as captain, replacing Fiachra Tucker at the helm. Lawson had a superb year in 2021, winning the Marchant Cup for the leading batter in the Premier League and in doing so becoming Pembroke's first winner for a quarter of a century. Lawson's 521 runs at an average of 74.43 was the main driver in helping his side to the final of the Premier League.

It's a tough act to follow for Lawson, given Tucker has led the Sydney Parade side through an excellent period for the side, the absolute highlight being their league and Irish Senior Cup double success in 2019, however he has a squad with a wealth of experience to call upon, and the addition of Mehta will undoubtedly assist their push for further silverware in 2022.

One of the immediate challenges around the corner for Lawson in his return to the captaincy, which he previously held from 2012 to 2014, will likely include an attempt to defend the Bob Kerr Trophy, which Pembroke are still the holders of having won the last running of the competition in 2019.

Lawson is in a buoyant mood heading into the new season, and spoke briefly to us this morning about the addition of Mehta and his return as captain;

"We're delighted to have Poonish join us for the 2022 season, he has big boots to fill replacing Shaheen Khan, however his record in Leinster is very impressive and we all look forward to welcoming him into the club.

I've also big boots to fill. Fiachra has been an excellent leader and player for us, we'll miss him next season. I'll be looking to continue on his great work. We've an exciting squad and with the addition of Poonish, we'll be looking to challenge for silverware in 2022."