By RUSSELL BENNETT
WEST Gippsland Cricket Association Premier side Merinda Park has lost three key contributors from last year’s side and, on face value, hasn’t replaced them.
Top-order batsman Matt Grayson, tearaway quick Jarrod Armitage and leg-spinning all-rounder Dylan Cuthbertson have all left over the off-season – yet the side is still shaping up as a hugely competitive outfit for season 2014/15.
Any opponent that takes the Cobras, led by new skipper Danny Diwell, lightly could be in for a rude shock. They do look like being a step below the likes of Tooradin, Kooweerup and potentially Cardinia, but they shouldn’t be written off under any circumstances.
“Consistency is the key this year with both bat and ball,” Diwell said.
“We’re looking to do the basic things better.”
The all-rounder predicted his side’s batting line-up would be its biggest strength, “with anybody capable of making runs at any time”.
Tooradin, meanwhile, will have to find a way of overcoming the loss of gun all-rounder Cal O’Hare to a long-term knee injury. But the deepest list in the association will be boosted by the return of the fit and firing Tom Hussey and league medallist Aaron Avery, who both missed important games down the stretch last season with thumb and hamstring injuries respectively.
Wicket-keeper batsman Hussey has taken the captaincy mantle over from Avery, who will be looking to replicate the at-times devastating all-around form he showed in 2013/14.
The injury disruptions suffered by the Seagulls did their premiership prospects no favours last season but they’ll be out to make a big splash right from round one this year.
“We want to play finals cricket,” Hussey said.
“From there anything can happen but we want to be giving it a good nudge.
“I think the competition is very evenly placed this season – the likes of Koowee, Cardy and Pakenham will be strong once again, while Merinda Park has the ability to be a surprise packet.”
Tooradin will host Cardinia in the round one one-day this Saturday, while Merinda Park will take on Emerald.
