Explosive batsman Shane Simpson has left Buckley Ridges to play for Narre Warren this summer.
Paul Pickering examines the local teams who are ready to walk to the crease for the 2007-08 Dandenong District Cricket Association competition.
FOR all those Dandenong sports fanatics shaking off their post-football season hangovers, this weekend’s Dandenong District Cricket Association launch seems the only legitimate remedy.
Springvale South will begin its defence of the Turf One flag after an epic grand final victory over Berwick last season.
Meanwhile, Turf Two premier Coomora will begin its quest for the respect of the association’s elite clubs.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF ONE
Springvale South
Last season: Third (Premiers).
Ins: David Grainge (England), Sam Delaney (Somerville), Nick Bole-Brown (Belgrave).
Outs: Rory Ingram (Lyndale).
AFTER re-establishing itself at the top of the Turf One tree with an epic premiership victory last season, Springvale South will be playing for its fourth title in five years.
The departure of opener Rory Ingram – who has been appointed captain-coach of Lyndale – is unlikely to hurt Springvale South too much, with a number of promising additions to last year’s side.
Danny Law’s decision to become an Australian citizen has paved the way for the arrival of English off-spinning all-rounder David Grainge.
Grainge is an experienced captain-coach from North Yorkshire-South Durham League club Great Ayton.
His nous and leadership will be nicely complemented by the raw aggression of tearaway quick Nick Bole-Brown – who arrives from South Australia by way of Belgrave Cricket Club.
Meanwhile, Bobby Gray – who emerged as the late-season revelation of 2006-07 – looks set to take the competition by storm after returning from a tour of England with the Australian indoor team.
Buckley Ridges
Last season: Second (Semi-final).
Ins: Anthony Clarke-Bruce (Sutherland), Steve Pennock (Rowville).
Outs: Shane Simpson (Narre Warren), David Wheeler (Narre Warren).
WITH captain-coach Shane Simpson and strike bowler David Wheeler defecting to Narre Warren, Buckley Ridges will rely on promoted captain – and runaway Wookey Medal winner – Shane D’Rozario to stay in the top four this season.
The appointment of playing-coach Anthony Clarke-Bruce from Sydney district outfit Sutherland will be crucial, with the bowling all-rounder likely to form a new-ball partnership with emerging left-arm quick Stephen Sheedy.
Englishman Steve Pennock has joined Buckley Ridges after a season at Rowville and is likely to open the batting with Daniel Watson.
North Dandenong
Last season: Fourth (Semi-final).
Ins: Carvan Mapatuna (Sri Lanka), Chris Clarke (Prahran).
Out: Paul Court.
FALLING agonisingly short of Berwick in their semi-final last season, North Dandenong has acquired the services of Sri Lankan import Carvan Mapatuna and Prahran all-rounder Chris Clarke in a bid to take the next step in 2007-08.
Playing coach Glen Finkelde will be looking for Mapatuna – a top-order batsman and handy spinner – to make an immediate impact, while allowing younger players to develop as the season progresses.
“History shows that we’re always in the mix,” Finkelde said.
“Last year we were a wicket away from a grand final and we played below our best.
“There’s no reason why we can’t go a little further if some of the young kids step up and we stay injury-free.”
Parkfield
Last season: Sixth.
Ins: Hemantha Alles (Keysborough), Clayton Riddell (Frankston).
Outs: Guy Darwin.
AFTER losing its last two games to fall out of finals contention last season, Parkfield has recruited former Sri Lankan first class player Hemantha Alles from Keysborough to bolster it bowling stocks this summer.
Alles replaces Englishman Guy Darwin as Parkfield’s overseas player, while ex-Frankston district seconds batsman – and leg-spinner – Clayton Riddell has arrived to add crucial depth to a batting line-up dominated by Dale Harris last season.
President Tony Payne, who will again play an important role himself, is looking for the improvement to come from the return of Shane MacLean from back problems and the emergence of young guns Steve Cannon and George Angelopoulos.
Parkfield will play its 200th Turf One game this weekend, with past and current players invited to the club on Saturday 13 October to be presented with caps denoting their First XI player number.
Keysborough
Last season: Seventh.
Ins: Paul McDonald (Noble Park), Dhanuhka Ekanayake (Sri Lanka).
Outs: Hemantha Alles (Parkfield).
KEYSBOROUGH has appointed former Noble Park captain Paul McDonald to the top job this year, snaring the experienced spinner-batsman from within the grasp of Doveton North during the off-season.
McDonald and new president Louis Papa have made a conscious decision to look to the Keysborough youth in 2007-08, paving the way for a number of players from the Second XI premiership to progress into the senior ranks.
Sri Lankan import Hemantha Alles has left for Parkfield, allowing countryman Dhanuhka Ekanayake to join the side.
While Keysborough has made an admirable climb up the Turf One ladder since a last-place finish in 2004-05, it is difficult to see the team challenging for a top-four berth this summer.Dandenong West
Last season: Eighth.
Ins: Alan Campbell (Doveton North), Adam Mason (Warragul and District Cricket Association), Steve Cheetham (Lancashire).
Out: None.
NEW captain-coach Alan Campbell will have his work cut out to take Dandenong West much higher than their eighth-place finish from last season.
The former Doveton North top-order batsman will, however, have English County-quick Steve Cheetham in his armoury after securing the Lancashire paceman at the last minute.
Cheetham will form an ominous pace attack with Matt Meehan, who impressed many after joing the club after Christmas last season.
The ever-reliable Greg Siwes will again be a feared presence in Dandy West’s batting lineup, while new gloveman Adam Mason has netted well during the pre-season and looks set to add some much-needed depth.
St Mary’s
Last season: 11th.
Ins: Scott Atkinson (Dingley), Ron Pruhdam (Parkdale United), Agnelo Dmello (Maranatha Methodist).
Outs: John Parsons.
AFTER sliding from sixth to 11th on the ladder last season, St Mary’s will be hoping to mount a resurgence under new playing coach Scott Atkinson.
Atkinson, an experienced gloveman, has moved from Dingley to take up the coaching role and will open the batting with established star Troy Cashman.
Big things will again be expected of Luke Byron, who was the architect of St Mary’s shock outright victory over Buckley Ridges last season, while second-year batsman Sheldon Heldt looks set to make his mark on the Turf One competition.
Atkinson’s bowling attack will be bolstered by the arrival of Ron Prudham and Agnelo Dmello, with both tipped to become permanent fixtures in the St Mary’s First XI.
@BT Sub Sport News:
Coomoora
Last season: Turf Two premier.
Ins: Carlos Hereford (Casey-South Melbourne).
Outs: None.
COOMOORA will be an unknown quantity this summer after being promoted from Turf Two.
The club has reappointed former Sri Lankan international and Preston sub district batsman Rohan Paulpillai as captain-coach from last season.
In a fairly quiet off-season, Coomoora’s only major personnel change will be the arrival of Carlos Hereford from Casey-South Melbourne.
Hereford will head up Coomora’s pace attack this summer, while first-change bowler Jamie Saleem looks set to make his mark on Turf One.
Big things are also expected of young all-rounder David Nutting.
