By David Nagel
CCCA PREMIER DIVISION – SEASON PREVIEW
MERINDA PARK
2022/23: 7th – 4 wins
President: Ken Rickard
Coach: Mathew Campbell
Captain: Mathew Campbell
Ins: Bevin Corneille (Top-order all-rounder), Rojan Rana (Fast medium bowler, low-order hitter), Rumesh Ranasinghe (Top-order bat, off-spin), Jude Johnstone (Middle-order bat), Adam Fisher (Keeper/Top-order bat) , Raveen Sathsara (Opening bowler/top-order bat), Adam Newstead (Medium pace bowler/low-order bat), Cullen O’Connor (All-rounder).
Outs: Andrew Martin, Anthony Craddock, Josh Phillips, Kim Bentick, Sasindu Perera.
Leading run scorers: Daniel McCalman (346), Sasindu Perera (241), Bryan Campbell (230), Liam Bertrand (176), Andrew Martin (150).
Leading wicket-takers: Sasindu Perera (24), Tyson Bertrand (16), Josh Phillips (14), Mathew Campbell (8), Andrew Martin (7).
We Say:
“We hit rock-bottom last year.” The words of Merinda Park vice-president Jamie Smith at last week’s season-launch summed up the 2022/23 season of his Cobras. Plundered by Kooweerup for just 23 in one game, the wheels were looking wonky until a last-round salvage job saved the Cobras from almost certain relegation. It was the wake-up call they needed to have. But instead of wallowing away in self-pity, captain-coach Mat Campbell put the positive boots on, attracting a litany of players that have brought renewed enthusiasm to the club. Of all teams spoken to for this preview, the Cobras appear most excited by the prospects of the next six months ahead. Several new recruits have shown promising signs in warm-up games, with top-order all-rounder Bevin Corneille just one of those players to shine. The Cobras will be hardly recognisable from last year, with key figures such as Andrew Martin, Josh Phillips and Sasindu Perera all missing from last year’s squad. Daniel McCalman will once again lead the way with the bat; while Rojan Rana, Rumesh Ranasinghe and Raveen Sathsara will be called on to replace the 172 overs bowled by Perera last year. The Cobras first two games, against Devon Meadows (home) and Cardinia (away), will give us a great indication of where they sit in the pecking order this year.
Prediction: 6th – Tooradin, Pakenham, Kooweerup, Devon Meadows, Cardinia, MERINDA PARK, Clyde, Carlisle Park
