 Frogan’s Caribbean Adventure
Well, he’s at it again. Frogan took time off from his position as Robbie Dean’s technical adviser for the Wallabies to give the Australian cricket team a bit of support in Barbados. Tim Nielsen, the Australian coach, had sent an SOS to him last week to ensure a 2-0 Test result rather than the possibility of a drawn series.
(Dan's No 1 Mentoring client - Beau Casson)
Frogan’s first advice to the Australian selectors was to make sure that Gordon’s own, Beau Casson, would be in the team. While it wasn’t rocket science, there was a feeling that the ‘part-timers’ might carry the spinning role. “Balderdash!” said Frogan. Beau was picked and the rest is history – a win, with the Stag taking vital wickets in the second innings.
So there was a fair Gordon influence in this very entertaining Test match in sunny Barbados. But wait – there’s more! As Frogan walked past the commentary box, there was Jim Maxwell, the ABC’s finest, giving excellent description of the action and, sitting next to him - fair suck of the battered sav – there was none other than another ex-Gordonite – Henderson Wallace! If you were awake in the middle of the night over the last week you would have heard his expert opinions. Big “Hendy” was a rather sizeable, cheerful Barbadian who played half a season with the club in the mid 80’s.
 Hendy was an opening bowler (in those days, all West Indians were) who also gave the ball a bit of a nudge with the bat. He played a couple of 3rd Grade games before playing the last three in 1st Grade.
(Dan Frogan arriving in Barbados with Mr Stanford after negotiating the new 20/20 competition)
While he only had moderate success, his ability to hit the ball into distant places was never clearer than when he was playing out at Sydney University. The 3rds were playing on No. 1 and 1sts on No.2, due to some problems with the main ground. The 1st Grade game was progressing satisfactory when balls from the main ground started to lob on to No.2. Henderson was showing how to hit a lofted straight drive! That’s a long way.
Hendy is now one of the leading commentators in Barbados but when Frogan caught up with him, he was happy to share a few stories about his short but enjoyable stay at Gordon.
So, it doesn’t matter where the cricket is – in the West Indies, in an England vs New Zealand one-dayer (Scott Styris), an English County game (Matt Nicholson, Will Smith, Dean Cosker), an English Minor Counties game (Danny Leech) – anywhere! There’s going to be a Stag or an ex-Stag. And do you know what? There’s a pretty fair chance that Dan Frogan helped him get where he is today!
Dan Frogan | 
