Shaun Fitzgibbon shuffles back into retirement
“To be honest, I did come back and play a couple of games, but my intention never was to keep playing."
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Shaun Fitzgibbon stepped out of retirement, provided yet another glimpse that he’s one of Southland cricket’s finest, before popping back into retirement.
Fitzgibbon had carved out an impressive Hawke Cup career after debuting in 2004 in Alexandra against Otago Country.
He eventually called time on his representative playing days in February 2020, midway through the 2019/20 campaign.
That was before taking up the coaching reins in 2022.
In December - on the back of a withdrawal of a player because of Covid-19 - Fitzgibbon agreed to pull the whites back on when Southland beat Mid Canterbury.
Fitzgibbon wasted little time showing he is still one of Southland’s leading batsmen when he notched up 71, which included putting on a 126-run partnership with Brendan Domigan.
With Nick Brown missing on Otago age-group duties Fitzgibbon agreed to step in again for Southland’s next assignment against North Otago and again delivered with the bat.
This time he posted an unbeaten century in the first innings victory over North Otago.
Southland will take on South Canterbury in Timaru this weekend and while Fitzgibbon will be with the team, he will this time stick to the coaching duties only.
The retirement sign has been hoisted again.
“To be honest, I did come back and play a couple of games, but my intention never was to keep playing,” he said.
Southland is also out of the running for a Hawke Cup challenge which made the decision easier. He would prefer for the onus to be on the younger players to get the job done against South Canterbury.
“It’s a good opportunity, there are a few young players that are keen and are wanting a chance, so it’s a good chance for them to have a crack.”
Included is Jed Mockford who will debut in Timaru this week. He will join older brother Jack in the Southland setup.
Southland’s bowling stocks have been a bit depleted this weekend with Jason Osborne and Blake Buttar-Scurr unavailable and Ben McCall a late withdrawal because of Covid-19.
“We need some of these young fellas to come in and see what it’s all about. And don’t just rely on the other guys.”
This weekend will bring the curtain down on Southland’s 2022/2023 Hawke Cup campaign.
Fitzgibbon said there had been some strong individual performances, pointing to Jack Mockford’s six wickets against North Otago and Domigan’s century against Mid Canterbury.
However, as a team, they just haven’t produced enough to book a Hawke Cup challenge.
Southland team to play South Canterbury:
Chris Chase, Brayden Thomas, Hamish Skelt, Brendan Domigan ©, Aaron Hart, Benji Culhane, Jed Mockford, Jack Mockford, Sam Downing, Shithum Niluminda, Liam McFaul.