The 2022-23 Haisman Shield season is fast approaching and Katandra Cricket Club is busy assembling a formidable first XI.
The club announced via Facebook earlier this month that three United Kingdom cricketers, James Lythgoe, James Dawson and Will Harries, had signed on for Katandra for the upcoming Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield season.
All three bring a wealth of experience at first-class level and are expected to add depth and quality at either end of the Eagles’ line-up.
Katandra stalwart Ben Clurey, who will assume the captaincy role again this year, said the club was thrilled to have three first-class international players on board.
“We’re pretty rapt to get three international players over here,” Clurey said.
“It’s been a few years since we’ve had international players at the club, we’re hoping they can provide a good level of talent, the guys that we’ve had historically have been terrific lads and have fitted in really well.”
Lythgoe and Dawson are expected to slot straight into the Eagles’ top-order batting ranks and have recently plied their trade for Carlisle in the Cumbria Premier League.
Harries will join the side’s bowling unit as an exciting left-arm seamer and has represented Hampshire in the club’s reserves County outfit, having also represented Wiltshire at minor County level.
“The two James’ are top-order batters, which is basically what we were in search of — a bit of depth in our batting order,” Clurey said.
“Will’s a bit more of an all-rounder, but he’ll provide a bit more quality in our bowling ranks with a few blokes getting a little bit older.”
The three may also lend their experience at the club in a coaching capacity, where Clurey says they could assist in coaching some of Katandra’s junior cricketing talents.
“The previous guys we’ve had over have been terrific lads and have fit in really well around the club,” Clurey said.
“We’ve had them coaching a little bit with our junior programs, I know James Lythgoe has done some coaching over there, so hopefully we’ll get him involved with that here.”
A promising 2021-22 had Katandra finish in ninth, missing out on finals after a draw and three straight losses brought its season to a close.
A rocky start, including shock losses to Euroa and Tatura set the tone for a topsy-turvy campaign.
But eye-catching victories over Northerners and Old Students and narrow losses to premiership hopefuls showed the competition what the Eagles were capable of when playing their best cricket.
“We’re looking for a bit more consistency this year,” Clurey said.
“Last year we missed out on finals by just a couple of games in the end; we had a couple of guys out for the Waaia game — they’re a quality side and we only lost to them by around 10 runs and then lost to Central Park and Nagambie in really tight games.
“Thirty extra runs for the year, put in the right places and it’s a different sort of year, but at the same time, we dropped a couple of pretty ordinary games to Euroa and Tatura.
“We’re keen to get a bit more consistency from our boys this season and players chipping in from all around the side.”