General News
4 October, 2024
Upper Loddon cricket: How the teams are shaping up
ARNOLD Last season’s Upper Loddon premiers – and wooden-spooners as well in a unique set of circumstances brought about by the four-team league – will have all the cup-winning team back again. The Redbacks even have an international signing in...
ARNOLD
Last season’s Upper Loddon premiers – and wooden-spooners as well in a unique set of circumstances brought about by the four-team league – will have all the cup-winning team back again.
The Redbacks even have an international signing in New Zealander Ryan Balsley. Club captain Henry McCullough said the Kiwi was “a friend of friends” who had moved to Australia and was looking for a game.
McCullough said the team was training well. “Everyone is really keen, and the ground is looking well too, especially after the recent rain.”
BOORT YANDO
Club secretary Kristen Gooding said while numbers were strong at the junior level, the senior ranks were still a little thin.
She said two or three of the juniors were capable of stepping up to play seniors if needed, while others were too inexperienced or had tennis commitments.
Boort Yando will field an under 17 team in the Upper Loddon league, and an under 13 side in the Northern Districts Cricket Association competition.
The T20 matches would make things easier for farmers and those working on the harvest to find time to play, Gooding said: “It’s not such a big commitment.”
BRIDGEWATER
Club president John Daldy said Bridgewater was still looking for players, especially at the junior level, and was keen to attract more cricketers from neighbouring Inglewood.
The club has two Inglewood players on its books and is hoping with the football season finished that more will come on board.
Daldy said several former Bridgewater players had returned to the revived club: “We’re still looking to take anyone who wants to throw their hand up.”
KINGOWER
Club secretary Wendy Murphy reported that Kingower’s famous oval was “looking green at the moment, as it usually does at this time of year, although it definitely needs a mow before our first home game against Arnold”.
“And the new grass we put in last year around the practice wickets hasn’t been eaten by the kangaroos yet.”
Kingower will have at least one new senior player this season, with Alex Abate making the trek from Serpentine to join the club. Most of last season’s players will go around again.
WEDDERBURN BAND
Last season’s club captain Luke Holt has moved to Darwin to play football and will be a big loss.
His successor Will Holt said senior player numbers were okay although availability might suffer during harvest.
“We will have a junior team,” Holt said. “We’re a bit pushed for numbers, but provided we can get a couple of permit (over-age) players we will be all right.”
He said the T20 competition would appeal to those who preferred a shorter format of the game, especially younger players, and would be a boost to recruitment, hopefully encouraging them to play the longer forms as well.