By JARROD POTTER
UP FOR another big year, the Panthers have locked in all the required pieces for another tilt at the Victorian Premier Cricket title.
Dandenong has been a perennial performer atop the Victorian Premier Cricket ranks in recent season – with its latest premiership coming in 2010/11 followed up with a runner-up effort against Richmond in 2011/12 and finishing in the top four last season.
With Steve Chapman stepping aside as coach, former club champion batsman Ross Woodall has stepped in to take up the reins.
Darren Pattinson won’t have his time divided on the cricket field this season – with the Panthers captain retiring from his Renegades and Victorian duties.
“It’s fantastic for us and our group – our group walks that little bit taller when Darren’s around and brings a wealth of experience from his first class days,” Woodall said.
English county batsman Andrew Gale will join up with the Panthers as their marquee import – with the Yorkshire captain belting his way to 5997 first class runs at a 37.71 average.
“Absolutely, and he brings his stance and leadership qualities being captain of Yorkshire and would be ideal to assist with our young and emerging group,” Woodall said.
He’ll add another layer of dogged resolve to the Dandenong top order alongside star pair Tom Donnell and Brett Forsyth set to face the new ball for the Panthers.
Donnell has earned his spot in the Victorian Futures League squad, heading up to Queensland this week for the competition, following another starring season at the top of the Panthers line-up.
“Would love from a selfish point of view for him (Donnell) to get another 900 runs for Dandenong, but from the club point of view we’d love to see him get a few more games in the Victorian colours,” Woodall said.
The bowling attack has solid variety – all-rounders Daniel Doran and James Nanopoulos lead into the speedy quick trio of Pattinson, Justin Butterfield, James Wilcox, Matt Willcocks and Nathan Lambden.
Steve Mullaney won’t return to the Panthers colours – with the Englishmen staying put in the motherland despite accruing 27 wickets and 558 runs at 34.88.
Paul Boraston has retired from the playing ranks – instead taking up an assistant coaching position with the club alongside captain Pattinson – and Dylan Quirk has gone to DDCA team Springvale South.
“As a group we’ve had a pretty solid pre-season and commitment from most of the senior group – had two solid hit outs in the last two weeks – Richmond and Frankston-Peninsula – both of those clubs relatively strong with a mixture of youth,” Woodall said.
“Everyone is committed and can’t wait.”
Dandenong hosts Geelong in the season-opener from 10am on Saturday at Shepley Oval.
