The return of the Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League is only a few sleeps away and anticipation is sky-high for the third edition.
In the lead-up to Sunday’s round one matches all four franchise teams have announced their squads and each are littered with local guns and star marquee talents.
It has been almost two years since we last witnessed the region’s newest Twenty20 competition and it’s safe to say that the franchise owners have landed multiple big fish.
Some of the headline acts are most noticeably former Australian Test quick James Pattinson, who will front up for back-to-back grand finalists the Hurley’s Hotel Hounds.
Pattinson, a damaging fast bowler, played 21 Tests for Australia and was a member at Big Bash outfit the Melbourne Renegades.
Cobram Panel Works Panthers
Adam De Cicco (captain), James Seymour, Jack Beasley, Wian Van Zyl, Michael Eckard, Izaac Willett, Oliver Willett, Tyron Baden, Ben Fulford, Riley Gow, Damian Cupido, Kepler Lukies, Will Sharp, Jarryd Hatton, James Daniel
Expect to see some fireworks when Pattinson’s former Renegades teammate James Seymour struts out to the middle for the CPW Panthers.
Seymour, a powerful top-order bat, returns to the Panthers after his sole appearance in the second edition of the GVBBL.
The third instalment of the Bush Bash will feature multiple international talents.
Hurley’s Hotel Hounds
Adam Ward (captain), James Barri, Kyle Mueller, Jedd Wright, Dylan Cutriss, Jack Neylon, Chare Smith, Michael Archer, Corey Hickford, Tyler Jones, Ben Holt, Josh Trembearth, Darin Ohlsen, Jack Potticary, Cameron Stevenson, Paul Newman, James Pattinson
Along with Pattinson, the Hounds have secured Bermuda’s Chare Smith and USA’s Cameron Stevenson.
The addition of English import Jack Potticary leaves the Hounds as one of the stacked line-ups in this year’s competition.
Meanwhile, the SRP Mud Dogs have welcomed back a host of players from their successful GVBBL two contingent.
SRP Mud Dogs
Liam Smith (captain), Taylor Beard, Daniel Clohsey, Lachlan Hyde, Kobyn James, Nathan Berry, Rylea Jones, Joe Cooke, Nick Gladman, Tim Wood, Josh Larkin, Alistair McCann, Ash Gray, Zane Keighran, Mason Reeves, Andrew Chalkley, Jai Lemire, Tyler Larkin
Bendigo spinner Liam Smith takes on the captaincy in a squad that has a wealth of Victorian premier cricket experience.
Lastly, the JD Crushers have named former Victorian wicketkeeper Adam Crosthwaite as one of their star marquees.
Jarvis Delahey Crushers
Dwain Vidler (captain), Henry Cullen, Dylan Brasher, Jarrod Wakeling, Mitch Brett, Peter Cassidy, Sam Nash, Mitch Cleeland, Oscar Lambourn, Ethan Brookes, Stephan Barrett, Jake Klemm, Dylan Klemm, Brendan Scott, Lachlan Keady, Ramadan Yze, Adam Crosthwaite
The Crushers will be out to turn around their fortunes this year with the addition of Crosthwaite, multiple Victorian Premier League regulars and local Cricket Shepparton stars.
Make sure you head to the News website on Sunday for all the latest on round one action.