Luke Pomersbach

Luke Anthony Pomersbach (born 28 September 1984) is a former Australian cricketer. He played mainly for Western Australia and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Citing mental health issues, he retired from the game in June 2014.[1]

Luke Pomersbach
Personal information
Full name
Luke Anthony Pomersbach
Born (1984-09-28) 28 September 1984
Bentley, Western Australia
NicknamePomers
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingRight-arm off-break
RoleBatsman
International information
National side
Only T20I (cap 26)11 December 2007 v New Zealand
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2006/07–2010/11Western Australia
2008–2009Kings XI Punjab
2011–2012Royal Challengers Bangalore
2012/13–2013/14Brisbane Heat
2012/13–2013/14Queensland
2013Kings XI Punjab
Career statistics
Competition T20I FC LA T20
Matches 1 39 37 56
Runs scored 15 2,785 666 1,228
Batting average 15.00 39.78 20.81 26.12
100s/50s 0/0 5/20 1/2 1/5
Top score 15 176 104* 112*
Balls bowled – 273 18 –
Wickets – 5 0 –
Bowling average – 30.80 – –
5 wickets in innings – 0 – –
10 wickets in match – 0 – –
Best bowling – 1/4 – –
Catches/stumpings 0/– 51/– 20/– 21/–
Source: ESPNCricinfo, 6 June 2014

Career

Pomersbach made his Ford Ranger Cup debut for Western Australia in their match against New South Wales in November 2006, scoring 33 runs from 47 balls. In December 2006 in a two-day tour match at the WACA against a touring England XI, he showed his potential, scoring 101 not out.[2]

Shortly after, he made his first-class cricket debut against Tasmania in a Pura Cup match at Bellerive Oval in Hobart. He performed well, scoring 74 in the first innings, partnering Chris Rogers in a 106 run fifth-wicket partnership. He continued his form in the second innings, coming to the wicket with WA in trouble at 4/36 and scoring 63 runs.

Despite a suspension from the state side for drinking alcohol following a game against Queensland, Pomersbach was named in the Cricket Australia Chairman's XI to play in the annual Lilac Hill game in December 2007. He starred against the New Zealanders, scoring 88 runs from 65 balls.[3][4] Pomersbach then made a most unusual debut for the Australian cricket team in a Twenty20 International against New Zealand in Perth on 11 December 2007. Having not been selected in the original squad for the match, Pomersbach was at the ground as a spectator, when a back injury to Brad Hodge during the warm-up forced the Australian team to call on him as an emergency replacement. He scored 15 runs from seven balls, including a 6 off the third ball he faced.[5] Pomersbach also won the 2008 Bradman Young Player of the Year.[6]

Pomersbach signed with Perth Scorchers in the 2011/12 Big Bash League,[7] but in October stood down from Western Australia and the Scorchers to deal with depression.[8]

He played for Kings XI Punjab in the 2008 and 2009 Indian Premier League seasons before switching to Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2011 season.[9] In 2012 Pomersbach returned to play for Bangalore in the 2012 Indian Premier League.[10] In January 2013 he was the second leading run scorer in the 2012–13 Big Bash League season.[11] Playing for the Brisbane Heat, he scored 112 runs from 70 deliveries in the semi-final and was a member of the team which won the final.[12] He was again bought by Kings XI Punjab for the 2013 Indian Premier League.[13]

Personal life and controversy

Pomersbach attended Yale Primary School and Kent Street Senior High School in Perth.[14]

In November 2007, Pomersbach and fellow Western Warrior Shaun Marsh were suspended from the state side for drinking alcohol following a game against Queensland.

On 9 August 2009, after two hit-and-run incidents, Pomersbach was arrested and charged by police with failing to stop, failing to accompany police, driving with a blood alcohol level in excess of .08, assaulting a public officer, obstructing police and escaping legal custody.[15] He pleaded guilty and was fined and had his driver's licence cancelled. The WACA responded by suspending him indefinitely. On 6 October 2009, Pomersbach was awarded an extraordinary driver's licence due to hardship using public transport.[16] He returned from his ban for Western Australia in January 2010.

Pomersbach first stood down from playing for Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers towards the end of 2011 to focus on his struggle with depression. He cited mental health issues as the reason for his retirement from cricket in 2014.

In May 2012, he was arrested and charged with molesting a woman and assaulting her fiancé after an incident at a hotel in India.[17][18] He was released on bail but had to surrender his passport.[19] The case was later settled out of court and the charges were dropped.[20]

He received press coverage in 2021 as a result of charges relating to stealing, aggravated burglary, and involvement with drugs.[21][22]

References
  1. "Pomersbach quits due to mental health issues". ESPNcricinfo. 5 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  2. Miller, Andrew (9 December 2006). "Harmison still a concern for England". ESPNcricinfo.
  3. "Full Scorecard of CA Chairman vs N Zealanders Tour Match 2007/08 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  4. Conn, Malcolm (12 December 2007). "Injury to Hodge is lucky for Luke". The Australian.
  5. "Pomersbach gets the call". Cricket Australia. 11 December 2007.
  6. "Lee wins Allan Border Medal". Fox Sports. 26 February 2008. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 26 February 2008.
  7. Katich signed by Perth Scorchers – cricket.com.au. Published 30 June 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  8. Luke Pomersbach stands down from WA – watoday.com.au. Published 27 September 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  9. List of IPL matches played by Luke Pomersbach
  10. Pomersbach back after depression
  11. "Big Bash League, 2012/13 / Records / Most runs".
  12. Dorries, Ben (21 January 2013). "Luke Pomersbach tastes winning culture with Queensland cricket". The Courier-Mail.
  13. "IPL auction: Mumbai Indian buy Ricky Ponting for Rs. 2.1 core". 3 February 2013.
  14. "Luke ready for big stage". Southern Gazette. 22 January 2008. p. 74. Batsman Luke Pomersbach became the first Kent St Senior High graduate to represent Australia in the Twenty-20 international at the WACA Ground last month.
  15. Sapienza, Joseph (10 August 2009). "Cricketer charged with assault after chase through dunes". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  16. Cardy, Todd (6 October 2009). "Luke Pomersbach back on road". The Sunday Times.
  17. "Luke Pomersbach gets interim bail". ESPNSTAR.com. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  18. "Australian cricketer Pomersbach arrested on assault charges". Reuters India. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  19. "Luke Pomersbach gets bail after court examines CCTV footage". 19 May 2012.
  20. "IPL molestation row: Zohal Hamid reaches settlement with Luke Pomersbach, Sidhartha Mallya". The Times of India. New Delhi. 24 May 2012. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  21. "Former cricket star Luke Pomersbach released on bail after being charged with aggravated burglary and stealing". The West Australian. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  22. "Former Australian Batsman Luke Pomersbach Arrested On Drug And Burglary Charges". Cricket Addictor. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
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