From Weekly Times Online:
www.weeklytimes.com.au/2005/01_january/19_01_05/sports.htmHE’S played alongside Wallaby star Phil Waugh and faced some of the quickest bowlers in the country and now at the ripe age of 25 has forced his way into the NSW cricket team.
Meet James Packman (pictured) - the boy from East Ryde who has burst onto the representative cricket scene with a flurry of runs in the Sydney first grade competition.
The young stroke player made an impressive debut for the Blues in last Saturday’s ING Cup loss to Queensland at Telstra Stadium - scoring a classy 33 before he was controversially run out at a critical stage of the match.
Blues’ young gun Ed Cowan (57) was run out the same over as NSW tumbled towards defeat.
James made his State debut with talented Wests keeper/opening bat Daniel Smith and relished the opportunity to play against the likes of Andy Bichel, Nathan Hauritz, Jimmy Maher and Martin Love.
State selectors had Packman earmarked for honors after an impressive 165 on debut for the NSW Second X1 against Victoria at Albert Park in Melbourne and a stylish 54 against the ACT Comets before Christmas.
With over 630 runs for the Gordon club this summer - including knocks of 104 and 110 - the talented colt has made pundits sit up and take notice.
James is the son of ex-Gordon stalwart Ian Packman, a capable seam bowler during the 1960s and ‘70s, and was graded by the Stags as a promising 17 year old schoolboy from Shore College.
He first picked up a bat as a 9 year old at Ryde East Public School where he was tutored by experienced teacher and local sporting legend Laurie Ager, an ex-Macquarie University all rounder and tasted early success when he represented NSW in the Primary Schools Sports Association series.
James helped Shore clinch the prestigious Gillette Cup National All Schools title in 1997 and joined a young Phil Waugh in the NSW Schoolboys side for ‘test’ matches against Queensland - picking up a NSW Cricket Blue for outstanding performances with the bat.
He made his top grade debut for Gordon in the summer of 2000-01 and was named the Stags’ best and fairest player for the 2001-02 season.
Today he’s a young batsman in a hurry and reaping the rewards of a productive off-season where he worked hard on his batting technique under the guidance of former internationals Steve Smith and Gordon clubmate Matt Nicholson.
“Steve and Matt have had a great influence on my career and have pointed me in the right direction” revealed James, who continues to blossom with each innings.
“They’ve offered some good advice which has helped my batting and preparation for matches - tips on how to build an innings and get the edge over your rivals” he said.
Rugby is another sporting love for James, who has an administrative position with Platinum Asset Management. He is a skilful five eighth/half back with the Gordon first grade squad but may have to put his football career on hold while he chases a regular spot in the Blues’ cricket team.
With James growing in confidence, the odds are good he’ll be a permanent fixture in the Pura Cup and ING Cup squads in years to come.