
SA Outbacks skipper Coby Cornish leads his charges onto the Adelaide Oval. .
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CAPTAIN FROM CLAN OF KEEPERS
By Peter Argent
Captain of the SA Outbacks, currently leading his team in the heart of the Barossa Valley, at the Australian Country Cricket Championships, Coby Cornish is at the height of his cricketing days.
He works as an apprentice cabinet-maker for world renowned winemaker Rockford Wines and indulges in his passion of leather and willow on the weekend for the Tanunda Cricket Club, in the expansive Barossa and Light Cricket Association which now includes Mallala to the west, South Gawler and the goes as far as Morgan in the north.
While country cricket is struggling in many areas, this association is bucking that trend.
Currently Coby is involved in the Australian Country Cricket Championships (ACCC), playing on the well-manicured, picturesque grounds in the Barossa district.
He is skipper again, as a the ACCC moves into a fourth decade, since starting back in 1984-85 at Beenleigh. Coby has been involved in the past three carnivals in Canberra, Newcastle and now in his adopted home.
Cricket started for him at Narrabri in his pre-teen years firstly at school.
“I played in the Narrabri second grade with my Dad, Steve, and older sister Khiarni,” Coby, now 26 smiled.
“My Mum, Bec and younger sister Kyah were all involved in sport.
“Actually Dad (Steve) was a high-level rugby league footballer, playing First Grade in Grafton.
“There was certainly wicket keeping blood in the family.
“My Uncle Sean Cornish, Grandfather, Tony Cornish back in NSW and also Uncle Robert O’Callaghan (famous Rockford guru) kept wickets for Tanunda.
“I started keeping because I wanted to be involved in the game and didn’t know about the family history when I started.”
Coby went through the NSW junior cricket pathways starting with the Under 14s Central North Zone – Kookaburra Cup, Under 16s – Bradman Cup, Under 18s Open level played for the Hunter, North West and Tamworth zone.
He was also in elite NSW Country/ACT squads at Under 17s level going to the National championships in Brisbane.
At Under 19s level he was also in squads for NSW Country/ACT and when he moved across to this state, South Australia.
Cornish played his first couple of seasons at the home of the “Croweaters” with the East Torrens Reds in the SACA A grade (Now called First-Grade) competition playing in a one-day flag in 2019-20 and a Twenty20 title, the year before 2018-19 loving the camaraderie in this family club, but he was not enjoying the constant travel and gruelling schedules.
He moved to the Tanunda Magpies CC in 2020-21.
“I was injured back in that first year and only played a couple of games that summer,” Cornish mused.
“In 21-22 at the Tanunda CC we were premiers with the likes of Trent Goers, Sam Colquhoun and Luke Snowden in the side.
“Naturally I’m grateful to get the honour of captain the SA Outbacks for the past couple of campaigns.
Cornish, along with being an accomplished gloveman is an aggressive stroke player, who bats with positive intent and takes the game on.
“I love hitting straight, long and large! When I ca!” Cornish, the stout and powerfully built cricketer smiled.
His highest score is 128 – twice – Narrabri DCA (a intertown competition) and for NGCCC amongst six hundreds, and his current best for the SA Outbacks is 68 against Queensland in the ‘24 ACCC campaign.
As for many who stand behind the stumps. Adam Gilchrist is his favourite player and he knows the vital role he plays in the field as well.
“I’ve done a lot of work with my dad with my keeping – he has been a great support,” he said.
“I’ve also picked up a lot of drills and ideas from the various academies I’ve been involved in.
“I believe I’m a neat and clean keeper, and I’ve done my job if I’ve gone through the day unnoticed.”
The 2025 ACCC – Both a Women’s and Men’s event – is currently being played in the Barossa Valley – January 3-10.
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great feature, Peter
hoping to see some of the action this week
well done for promoting this great championship here, and on Twitter
Rabbit in the Vineyard
Coby is a super talent. He is in the mold of the timeless Aussie keeper. He marries skill with tremendous technique.
He’s a handy bloke to have around Rockford. Maybe we should have a cricket team.
One of the NSW Bush Breakers women’s players is Claire McGuirk, originally from Gunnedah. As a sports reporter at the Gunnedah Times, I did a back page story on her selection (last month).
also love the rugby league connection – Grafton, NSW!!