It is time to dust off the cricket bag and finally wash those whites, cricket season is upon us.
Cricket Shepparton’s class A-grade competition makes its triumphant return on Saturday and The News has you covered with our 2023-24 Haisman Shield season preview.
Discover what each of the 13 clubs had to say ahead of the exciting new campaign as they look to chase down last year’s premier Katandra.
Central Park-St Brendan’s
2022-23 finish: Runner-up (12-1-3)
Ins: Ethan Baxter (returning)
Outs: Nil
Club comment: Tyler Larkin (coach)
“Not a lot of news to report on. Haven’t lost anyone and we’ve welcomed back Ethan Baxter. We’ve just been going about our business and had our heads down.
“It’s been difficult to get training in with no daylight savings, but we’ve been focusing on our batting and trying to stick to our plans. With the two-day format coming in later we’ll have to change our focus again.
“It will be interesting to see how it pans out. Scoring becomes tricky as you try to bat time but also understanding you need to score at the same time ... mentally it becomes harder.
“We’re quite lucky that we’ve got 13-14 players who could play A-grade. Max (Hooper) made his debut in the last couple of rounds, he’s one to watch, but unfortunately he hurt his shoulder and will miss the start. Ryan Ash is another who has got a bright future ahead of him.”
Prediction: Third
Can Central Park-St Brendan’s bounce back from last year’s heartache? The Tigers lost a thrilling grand final but have kept the nucleus of their squad, while picking up a former junior star. The Tigers have bolstered their bowling stocks with the return of pace bowler Ethan Baxter. The former junior state representative has been focusing on college football ambitions in recent years, but is back at Deakin Reserve in what is a fantastic signing. Their side is littered with players who have performed strongly in two-day cricket and expect classy batter Tyler Larkin to enjoy another strong year at the crease.
Euroa
2022-23 finish: 10th (3-1-9)
Ins: James Lloyd (Central Park), Josh Robertson (Old Students), Andrew Butterworth (Yea)
Outs: Nil.
Club comment: Scott Hamilton (captain)
“We’ve put a program in place to develop our younger players to be better cricketers and people, building on what Andrew Squires has done in the past. We have youth guided by people who have been around cricket circles for a long time, I’m hoping they take care of themselves results-wise but cricket is a funny game.”
Prediction: Ninth
It has been stated that the Euroa Football Club’s recent deep finals runs will limit the cricket club’s access to their dual-sport contingent, with Murray Bushrangers likely to be a factor as well.
With that said, the additions of senior heads like tall opening bowler Lloyd, both from around the league and beyond, should keep Euroa from being overtaken by those with a greater distance to climb in 2023-24.
Karramomus
Last year: 13th (2-1-10)
Ins: Nil.
Outs: Nil.
Club comment: Ashley Brown (coach)
“We’ve got mainly the same group ... they’ve all got another year under their belt so hopefully they’ll show a little bit more this year.
“We’re not aiming to be world beaters, we’re just aiming to improve on last year and hopefully sneak in a few wins here and there.
“As they always say, it’s only 10 per cent talent and 90 per cent between the ears.
“If we can get the mental attitude correct for the day, I don’t have a problem with virtually any of them there.”
Prediction: 13th
Karramomus has landed the most exciting signings of the year, but they won’t bowl a ball or face a delivery.
The Bloods have conducted an extremely savvy bit of wheeling and dealing in the off season, bringing bright minds to the helm to help the youthful band fine tune their game.
Former club president Ashley Brown is steering a familiar ship as coach while a two-pronged assistant coaching duo comprises club legend Chris Keady and ex-Northerners mentor Steve Allen.
It’s an absurdly knowledgeable leadership base, put plainly.
Though Brown conceded he isn’t waiting on a miracle — like finals — he has a simple ambition — for Karramomus to win more games than last season.
The Bloods’ playing personnel is pretty much identical to last season, but with bags of promise wedged in between an order mostly aged 21 and below, Brown’s goal looks likelier than ever with such a decorated inner sanctum.
Katandra
Last year: Premier (12-3-1)
Ins: Scott Richardson (overseas), Kieran Collins (overseas), Ben Pedretti (Northerners)
Outs: James Lythgoe, James Dawson (overseas)
Club comment: Jedd Wright (co-captain)
“We’re pretty excited with the players we’ve got for this season. We feel like we’ve added to our depth and we’ve got a strong spread over our A and B squads. It means a few of us can miss games here and there which is a lot more handy and keeps everyone fresh.
“We’ve got around 19-20 players who really want to play A-grade cricket which is fantastic. Our bowling stocks are where we think we’ll find improvement and coming into two-day cricket that will be crucial in winning games and restricting sides to 150 runs.
“Our goal is to win again. Although last year was a Haisman Shield win, realistically it was a one-day final and everyone says 10 one-day finals are worth one two-day final.”
Prediction: Premier
There is no doubt Katandra is hungry for more success this summer. Returning skipper and star all-rounder Jedd Wright, coming off his Lightfoot Medal triumph, is excited by the return of former star and premiership player Scott Richardson — who has also brought along a talented top-order batter Kieran Collins from Woodlands in the UK.
Last year’s captain Ben Clurey is set to miss the first couple of months due to recent back surgery but will return around Christmas.
The Eagles have kept the core group of last year’s premiership winning squad and they seem to have a good balance of youth and experience in the outfit. Expect them to be fighting it out in March.
Kyabram
Last year: Third (10-3-2)
Ins: Cade Mueller, Connor McLeod, Louis Sabbagh-Holt
Outs: Darren Olsen, Adam Nunn, Jayden Tucker, Kaine Herbert
Club comment: Jackson McLay (coach)
“I think off the top of my head it was five out of the last six prelims (we’ve made), so I’m pretty confident we’ll be quite competitive again.
“I’m actually really looking forward to the year, I think it’s going to be quite a strong comp again. By the sounds of it a lot of sides have picked so it’s going to be good.
“Every game we play to win ... we’re quite confident that if we stick to our plan we’re going to be well in truly in every game.
“I think there’s enough talent there to match with any of the top sides.”
Prediction: Fourth
A wise man once wrote that history never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.
Kyabram shot to the top of the Haisman Shield ladder in the 2022-23 season, and with a throng of additions — some familiar, others not — a spot in the top bracket again seems imminent for the Redbacks.
That’s not to say it’ll be easy getting there.
Darren Olsen and Kaine Herbert are glaring omissions from the spin stocks, but the side gains an unknown in left arm tweaker Louis Sabbagh-Holt from Cirencester in England.
Wickets and runs are lost as ex-Tongala duo Jayden Tucker and Adam Nunn won’t suit up for Kyabram, but the re-entrance of Cade Mueller is likely to take some of the batting onus off brother Kyle, who pulverised enemy attacks last season.
Throw in former Cooma all-rounder Connor McLeod, son of Cricket Shepparton Team of the Century member Rod McLeod, and the Redbacks shape as an opponent with few cracks in its armour once more.
Mooroopna
Last year: Fifth (9-2-3)
Ins: Matthew Price (Overseas)
Outs: Jake Wright (Rochester), Ethan Anderson
Club comment: Unavailable.
Prediction: Sixth
Mooroopna was a force in last year’s Haisman Shield campaign, and is expected to be a contender for the top prize once more this season.
Retaining damaging quick Henry Barrow is as good as any signing, and if he can recapture last year’s form which landed him 27 wickets, he and captain Luke Zanchetta will command one of the competition’s most dangerous opening bowling attacks.
Ethan Anderson’s exit back to Darwin is a sizeable one, but the hole at the top of the order has been filled by young import Matthew Price from England.
Jake Wright has moved over to coach Rochester, so in place, Taz Hall and Riley Moon have been elevated up from Mooroopna’s premiership winning B-grade outfit.
Luke Zanchetta’s group is strong across the board, that’s hard to argue.
But when it came to the crunch in finals, Mooroopna was barrelled out by eventual premier Katandra.
Ipso facto, getting the job done in March will be top priority this year.
Nagambie
Last year: Seventh (4-3-6)
Ins: Mitch Winter-Irving (White Hills), Josh Sanderson, Nathan Fothergill
Outs: Jeewan De Silva
Club comment: Mark Nolan (captain/coach)
“(Finals) is our main aim definitely. It was a disappointing year last year so hopefully we can come back stronger. We have a couple of good ins with Mitch (Winter-Irving), he’s one of the better cricketers going around and it’s great to have him back ... I can’t wait to play alongside him again.
“Josh is a left-arm spinner and we’ve lacked one of them recently, while Nathan is an opening bowler and it’s nice to have him back.
“We should have a strong A- and B-grade squad and we’re looking forward to playing two-day cricket.”
Prediction: Fifth.
Nagambie looms as one of the biggest improvers in the upcoming summer following last year’s disappointing result. The Lakers went from challenging for the title to sliding outside of premiership contention.
Gun all-rounder Mitch Winter-Irving is back while spinner Josh Sanderson and pace bowler Nathan Fothergill have returned in what is a major boost to the squad.
Winter-Irving’s CV speaks for itself and no doubt he will hit the ground running as he makes his return to the Cricket Shepparton ranks.
Nagambie followers will be hopeful that last year was just a small blip and that this season will see the Lakers return as a force to be reckoned with in the competition.
Northerners
Last year: Ninth (5-1-7)
Ins: Nil.
Outs: Ben Pedretti (Northerners)
Club comment: Stuart Turner (captain)
“It’s always new and exciting, seeing the youngsters come back bigger, stronger and more mentally prepared.
“We tried to recruit a few guys in the off-season but it hasn’t gone our way, but I’m pretty excited about Declan Newbound after his pre-season.”
Prediction: 12th.
Northerners may be in for greater difficulties after struggling to replace outbound skipper Ben Pedretti. Spinner Stuart Turner assumes the role of captain, but the squad has taken an undeniable hit heading into the next Haisman Shield campaign.
Northerners will need big things from the aforementioned Newbound as well as junior prospect Xavier Davidson, earmarked as a chance to feature at the top level this season.
Numurkah
Last year: Fourth (8-2-4)
Ins: Ragu Aravinthan, James du Toit (overseas)
Outs: Michael Eckard (Queensland), Dylan Grandall (Oakleigh)
Club comment: Liam Gledhill (coach)
“We’re trying to finish as high as possible but we’ve got a good mix of youth and experience this year. Timmy Arnel’s the new captain, he wears his heart on his sleeve and his passion for the club has always been there. We want to be as competitive as we can every week.”
Prediction: Seventh.
Losing a club captain — and one of four players in the league with an average greater than 50 last season — leaves a big hole in any local side but a 1000-run season in the Surrey region from South African import du Toit is nothing to sneeze at, so this side should maintain its equilibrium.
Both incoming overseas players will carry reputations with them, which has the potential to offset the departure of two senior figures, but a push towards the league’s upper echelon may be stymied.
Old Students
Last year: Eighth (5-1-7)
Ins: Mohammad Shahid
Outs: Dylan Hammer (injury), Ashton Young (Vic representative), Josh Robertson (Euroa)
Club comment: Callan McCabe (captain)
“Finals would always be the goal. I would highlight Oscar Lambourn and Sam O’Brien (as ones to watch). I was really impressed with them last season and they could be serious ones to watch at 16 years old.”
Prediction: 10th.
Much remains uncertain about the full make-up of the squad and Old Students have lost a promising youngster to Victorian state commitments, opting for a serious injection of youth by placing their faith in number-five batsman Lambourn and all-rounder O’Brien.
At time of writing, there are at least two A-grade roster spots yet to be assigned, and this makes predicting a charge towards finals contention difficult, but Young’s departure indicates the club can find quality youngsters to perform.
Shepparton United
Last year: 12th (2-1-10)
Ins: Jake Callow, Dan Jones (overseas), Jake Smith, Max Henderson
Outs: Chaminda Vidanapathirana, Mahesh Kodamullage
Club comment: Sam Nash (captain)
“We’ve lost a couple but we’ve been able to gain a few as well which has been exciting.
“Jake (Callow) and Dan both come from the UK and are exciting batters, while Max and Jake (Smith) have relocated from Melbourne to the area.
“One of our main goals for this season is just to enjoy our cricket. We’ve got a young group and fresh blood at the club, but we’re having fun and enjoying each other’s company. Abe (Lake) and Hugh (Conway) are two that are set for a big year I reckon.
“(Being captain) comes with its challenges, but I’ve really enjoyed the past five-six weeks as training ramps up. Hopefully we can try be in each game for longer and we want to be a hard team for sides to play against.”
Prediction: 11th
It is hard to get a gauge on Shepparton United for the upcoming summer. It’s positive and fantastic news to see the club back at its spiritual home at Princess Park after not being able to play a single game there last year due to the floods. Nash has been a breath of fresh air at the club and has brought an enjoyable environment to the young outfit.
The four inclusions bring an air of excitement and all eyes will be on how they perform in round one. The omissions of captain and quick bowler Chaminda Vidanapathirana and spinner Mahesh Kodamullage are big shoes to fill, but it gives a chance for the youth at United to take on more responsibility and test themselves in the Haisman Shield.
Tatura
Last year: 11th (2-2-9)
Ins: Jayden Armstrong (injury), Chaz Cheatley (Queensland)
Outs: Nil
Club comment: Daniel Coombs (coach)
“Even though we won less games last year, there was probably more improvement from the year before. I think we’re improving each year and hoping to take it into the season.
“I think the guys are getting more experienced in those situations of the game which we can put into practice this year.
“Obviously having Jayden back in and adding Chaz to the team as well, it definitely strengthens us quite drastically.
Prediction: Ninth
Incremental improvements.
That’s what Tatura coach Daniel Coombs demands from his young crop season upon season, and the motto hasn’t changed in the face of a brand-new campaign.
With an approximate average age of 22, the Bulldogs go in as one of the youngest contingents in the competition again, but they’re not using that as an excuse.
A strong pre-season has gusted wind into Tatura’s sails, and Coombs has some new firepower at his disposal for season 2023/24.
Wicketkeeper Xavier Hutchison has drilled into his family connections to rein in his cousin Chaz Cheatley from Queensland, supplementing Tatura’s bowling and batting areas.
But while he is a relative unknown, Tatura’s other ‘recruit’ is a massive inclusion back into the squad.
Left-arm quick Jayden Armstrong returns from a lengthy injury which sidelined him for the entirety of last season, bringing aggressive bounce and pace to a green Bulldogs brigade.
With no outs and a couple of handy pick-ups, Tatura has every opportunity to bump up a few spots up the table.
Waaia
Last year: Sixth (7-1-6)
Ins: Connor Brown, Quinton Venter (overseas), Reinhardt Engler (overseas)
Outs: Sebastian Moore
Club comment: Mitch Cleeland (captain)
“We’ve addressed the fact that we’ve been a little bit light on for runs and that’s probably been why we’ve finished sixth last year and, in the previous two seasons, couldn’t get the job done either.
“We believe we’ve been quite bowling heavy, and by adding those two (Venter and Engler) to the top order, we’re hoping that can polish us off and take us that little step further that we’ve been trying to get the last three or four years but been falling short of.
“Our preparation has probably been a little bit brief, but we’re hoping we’ve done enough to be prepared for round one on Saturday.”
Prediction: Second
Waaia may have added the missing ingredients to a winning recipe in the off-season.
The Bombers have sprinkled a South African flavour to their top order, bringing in flashy bats Quinton Venter and Reinhardt Engler who also double as part-time spinners.
Losing first drop Sebastian Moore to Numurkah is a notable out, however rejoining the camp is handy all-rounder Connor Brown from injury.
It’s runs Waaia needs, and it appears the club has found just that.
However, Cleeland eluded to a double-edged sword which has hamstrung preparations.
A large base of the Bombers featured in Waaia’s deep run into football finals which garnered a premiership, handing it a strong fitness base while leaving it a few paces short in its readiness.
Can Waaia get things to click in time? Watch this space to find out.