Anthony Penberthy signs for Cornwall

Cornwall Cricket Cricket Club have announced the signing of the former Northamptonshire player Anthony Penberthy as player / coach for the forthcoming season. Penberthy is keen to return to his roots to complete his competitive career.

The thirty-five year old came up through the ranks in his home village of Troon and enjoyed a fine Cornwall Schools career scoring over 2,000 runs and taking 122 wickets. Having signed for Northamptonshire he, famously, took the wicket of former Australian captain Mark Taylor with his first ball on his first class debut against the touring Australians in 1989. A successful fifteen year career followed at Wantage Road where he was capped in 1994, became County vice-captain and received a benefit in 2002.

His first class career reached 181 games where he scored over 7,000 runs with a top score of 132 not out and took 232 wickets. He was also a key member of the Northants one-day side in which he made over 4,000 runs and took over 250 wickets in 250 appearances. Before embarking on a first class career Penberthy made nine Championship appearances for Cornwall between 1987 and 89 scoring 573 runs at an average of 44 and taking 12 wickets.

Cornwall Team Manager Godfrey Furse, who was a playing colleague in those days, is looking forward to having Penberthy in the ranks for 2005. Furse said "Anthony's experience should be invaluable to the team both on and off the field. Along with Ryan Driver, who hopes to be available for a number of games despite living and working in Jersey, and the likes of David Roberts, Gary Thomas, Tom Sharp and Chris Hunkin the batting line up looks as good as any in the Championship".

Furse's first objective is the MCCA Trophy game with Dorset at Dean Park, Bournemouth on Sunday 15th May. Success, which has been limited in the one-day competition over the years, will set up an intriguing second round clash with Devon at Falmouth in mid June, with the winners of that game facing a home quarter-final against Cumberland or Oxfordshire.

The County start the season with a warm up game at Redruth on Sunday 24th April to celebrate the host club's 175th anniversary.

· In a separate development it looks likely that the County will also play in an inaugural Twenty/20 Competition this season. An all day, round robin tournament with games against Devon and Dorset is being planned at Budleigh Salterton on Sunday 31st July.

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