AN influx of new players have boosted the Batemans Bay Cricket Club’s chances of success in the Shoalhaven District Cricket Association’s competitions this season.
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Former Batemans Bay junior Sam Lee returns to the fold after playing cricket for Queanbeyan in the Canberra grade competition.
Lee adds talent and youth to the first grade playing list and batted well in the trial match against Goulburn, top-scoring with 74.
The club also recruited three former Ulladulla first graders after Ulladulla notified the association it would not field a first grade team this season.
The three recruits offer a variety of strengths with leg-spinner Nathan Bell, all-rounder Wes Holmes and top-order batsman Grant Morris all set for a season with their new club.
The club hoped English player Ryan Chamberlain would return after a successful stint last year, however, he has opted to play with a club in the Gippsland region of Victoria.
Gav Ladmore and Tim Hartshorn were chosen as first grade captains and club president Andrew Malcolm believed the pair would give the team the leadership it needed to make the finals for the first time.
“Tim has a lot of experience on-field and captained Southern Zone,” Malcolm said.
We’re looking to build on last year and push for the finals after we missed out in fifth.
- Andrew Malcolm
“His expertise will be matched by Gav’s off-field management and they’ll work well together as captains.
“We’re looking to build on last year and push for the finals after we missed out in fifth (last season).”
A few regular second and third grade players dropped out for this season, but Malcolm was buoyed by the club’s ability to find former Eurobodalla competition players to add to the mix.
“We lost a few past players but attracted former cricketers and new people to the area,” he said.
“Hopefully we’ve got the players to challenge for finals.
“A lot of young kids stepped-up to third grade last year and we’ll use it to blood kids again.”
The third season of the senior teams’ short history in the Shoalhaven competition begins tomorrow.
First grade hosts Nowra at Hanging Rock Oval, the second grade team visits Bomaderry and the third grade side plays Ulladulla United Blues at Lighthouse Oval.
Malcolm was just as excited for the juniors as they embark on their fourth season in the Shoalhaven junior competition.
‘We have full sides in all four grades and we’re looking to get all four in the finals for the first time,” he said.
The under 16s and under 14s host Ulladulla, under 12s host Nowra Whites and the modified under 11s visit Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemens.
A come and trial T20 Blast day will be held from 5pm to 6.30pm at Hanging Rock tonight.
“People can come down and register,” Malcolm said.
ACT and Cricket Australia development managers will assist Batemans Bay coaches at the trial day.