By JARROD POTTER
SPRINGVALE South has stocked up on premium players ahead of the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) Turf 1 season.
With former Narre Warren bowling duo James Giertz and Nathan King now wearing the Bloods colours and England spinning-allrounder Ateeq Javid making the switch across from Sweeney Reserve to Alex Nelson Reserve – the Bloods shape up as the team to beat this season.
Still smarting from a semi-final rout by Mordialloc last season, with the Bloods making 87 chasing the Bloodhounds’ 142 – Springvale South has beefed up its playing stocks in anticipation of a big season.
Switching from the Victorian Premier Cricket heavyweights Dandenong is wicketkeeper-batsman Dylan Quirk – who will still be flying high after kicking the match-winning point for Narre Warren in the Casey Cardinia Football League grand final last Saturday.
Adding to the newly refreshed list will be Jackson Sketcher – who has returned from playing football in Western Australia to add strength to the middle order and quick-bowler Dillon Fernandesz is also expected to feature heavily this year.
Springvale South has lost its two Sri Lankan imports from last season – with Jeeva Kulatunga and Matheesa Perera not returning to the club.
Their opening round clash against Buckley Ridges promises to be season-defining – with the Ridges belting their way to the 2012/13 premiership on the back of Daniel Watson’s 188 not out in the grand final against Mordialloc, even with Watson making the move to Casey-South Melbourne for this season.
Lyndale will face Narre Warren in its Turf 1 season opener, while Dandenong West vies with Coomoora and Parkfield hosts North Dandenong.
In Turf 2, Keysborough travels to Narre North, newcomers Parkdale host Southern Pirates, St Marys travel to St Brigids/St Louis and Silverton hosts Fountain Gate.
