By JARROD POTTER
DANDENONG Women’s Cricket Club – the mighty Lions – is out to defend its prized pennant and make it back-to-back VWCA premierships.
The Lions have maintained the winning list that secured the 2012/13 Victorian Women’s Cricket Association (VWCA) first XI premiership.
With their batting maestro Sarah Elliott moving to Melbourne – having previously lived in Darwin – the Dandenong batting will more regularly host the Ashes centurion – who hit 104 in the one-off Women’s Ashes Test at Wormsley.
“No pressure, I think it was a great win last year, but we’ve still got a fairly young side and one of the things that was great about last year was everyone enjoying the game and having fun playing,” club secretary Emma Gallagher said.
“We’ve got some good young faces around the club, but probably will be easing into it through the seconds, but in terms of our first teams, don’t really see any big ins or outs.
“Sarah Elliott – who plays for Australia – was previously living in Darwin – she’ll be here for most of the season this year – very excited to play with her again after that ton.”
“Julie didn’t have the Ashes campaign she was after, but to my knowledge she’s back to full fitness.”
The Lions young stars of the future – Chelsea Moscript and Alana King – will also feature in the first XI.
The power of their bowling attack – with VWCA leading wicket-taker Gallagher, Australian/ Victorian spearhead Julie Hunter and a host of spinners guaranteed to challenge the opposition’s best bats.
Dandenong will travel to face Brunswick Park in the first round of the season on Sunday 6 October.
