When Matt Taylor and Griegan French arrived in Deniliquin last year as the Deni Rhinos’ overseas imports, they were unsure of what to expect of Deniliquin.
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But since arriving on Australian shores in September, the pair say they have been welcomed by the Deniliquin community on and off the field.
And they have certainly produced outstanding results for the Rhinos.
The bowler and batsman were crucial in helping the Rhinos A-grade side to end the season as minor premiers, and getting the team to the 2024/25 MVCA A-grade grand final.
Following the finals, Taylor ended with 37 wickets at a bowling average of 14.68.
This led the league for wickets with Taylor taking wickets in each game he played except one and had one five-wicket haul in the semi-final victory against Barooga with 5/62 with three maidens from 22 overs.
Also performing admirably including finals, French scored 637 runs at a batting average of 45.5 leading the league for runs scored in the one-day, two-day and T20 competition.
He had one-day centuries against Finley in round three and Tocumwal in round eight, while top-scoring for the Rhinos in the grand final against Cobram with 38 off 127 balls.
Both players also made the league’s 2024/25 A-grade team of the year.
Performing successfully, both players were happy with the team’s season except for the grand final result, which they felt came down to the umpiring in the final but still resulted in no love lost with rivals Cobram.
“The club brought in two imports. One was the leading run-scorer for the club and one was the leading wicket taker for the club, you can’t ask for much more than that,” Taylor said.
“I’m not sure what they told Griegan before coming over, but the club people said to me they wanted a top four finish and to make finals.”
“To finish on top and make the grand final was a success. Overall, it’s been unbelievable.”
French expressed similar feelings.
“Other than the grand final, the season was good,” he said.
“Both of us performed really well and did what we came here to do, and that’s what you want.
“It’s a shame we didn’t get the grand final win, but that’s cricket.”
Taylor, who is South African but based in Derbyshire, England, said his expectations of living ‘Down Under’ was “a bit different to what you expect”.
“You expect snakes and spiders everywhere, but they’re not.
“Also, the weather’s better than England as well.”
As for the Englishman, French, from Warwickshire, he said “I expected it to be a bit harsher”.
“I envisioned the weather being harsher and basically expected it to be unbearable, especially as Deniliquin is a couple of hours from Melbourne, but the weather has usually been nice and fine.
“When the humidity came that was tough. Without a split system it can be really hot and sweltering.
“The amount of dead kangaroos on the road, and the number that are just free roaming was a surprise too.”
As for life outside of cricket, both enjoyed it.
“After 17 straight years of cricket, I’ve never gotten this much time off outside just cricket,” Taylor said.
“While I’ve been here, I’ve had the chance to see the whole east coast of Australia.
“Work wise, anything like this wouldn’t be possible in England.
“As I said at the presentation night, I don’t feel like an overseas (player) I feel like a normal player at the club.
“The Bennett family have been the most supportive, but everyone’s been great, and I’ve really enjoyed it.”
For French, the main thing that stood out for him off the field was the welcome he received from the community,
“It's been a nice surprise how welcoming everyone’s been.
“I expected to be alienated as internationals and cricketers in the community, but I’ve felt more welcome here than even back home.
“We weren’t imports, we were just players.”
Both brought their respective partners to the country for the summer.
Taylor’s partner Jess and one year-old daughter Mauve both “loved it”.
French’s partner Lizzie is still living and working in Deni.
Taylor will be reunited with his family in England soon, as he’s committed to playing another season of cricket with Chesterfield.
“I was meant to leave this Sunday, but will now stay and work in Deni for a month before I leave on April 13.
“I’ll start playing cricket on the 19th - I’ll be straight back into it.”
But Taylor has not ruled out coming back in to the Rhinos side in the future.
“We’ll see what’s next; if I come back, I come back.”
French, who has thought about moving away from the UK for some time, will remain in Deniliquin for now.
“I got a job (with Fleming Partners) utilising my degree, which is great.
“The weather’s good here and hopefully the winter should be warmer than England’s.
“Deniliquin is good, there’s stuff to do, and it’s a clean and tidy place.”
French and his partner are currently allowed to stay in Australia for up to three years, after which they may consider longer-term options.