Tara Murray
Sunbury has bought back a few familiar faces as it aims to cement its spot in Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2.
The Roar had a tough first season up in division 2 but did enough to secure its spot for this season.
There’s been a few changes on and off field at the Roar in the off season.
First XI team manager Marty Kelders said they were keen to get the season underway.
“We’ve been able to get a few guys back,” he said. “The guys are coming back not just to play but coming back and putting their hand up to be part of the committee as well.”
Ashan Renaweera will be captain-coach with Kevin Barker leaving the club.
One of the club’s greatest players, Jason McGann, has returned after a season away. Brad Hunter and Craig Ballinger, who have also coached the side, have returned to the club.
Kelders said they were looking to get a bit of stability back to the club.
“We’ve had a few coaches lately which wasn’t in the grand plan,” he said. “Ashan played for us last season and is an experienced campaigner and has an influence on the group.
“The coaching roles will be shared around through the group. It’s nice to get that experience back.”
Kelders said they still have a fairly young side and these guys will help support them.
Jack McGann, Jackson Treweek, Sandil Wijesooriya are three of the younger players that are set to play key roles.
Kelders said Wijesooriya was a player to watch having played several first XI games last season.
He said they wanted to continue to bring up the younger boys and give them an opportunity.
Kelders said they were hoping for a positive season this season in division 2.
“We know it’s a good standard,” he said. “To get the opportunity to get up there last year after finishing runners up was a good opportunity.
“The group will figure it out as we go along and hopefully we’ll have quite a good year. We’ve got some talent there but we’ll have to see how we go and hopefully we have a bit of luck on our side.”
Elsewhere for the Roar, it will have a Sunday one-day day team for the first time.
Kelders said they wanted to give cricketers, who couldn’t commit or play on Saturday, the opportunity to play locally.
He said players from other club’s could also play on permits to be part of the side.
“It builds a bit of flexibility,” he said. “We’ve never had a Sunday day but it suits the needs of some of our members who want to play for us.
“It makes us a bit more user friendly.”
Kelders said they were still trying to get numbers for their under-18 side and any interested players could reach out. If that doesn’t happen, those guys will have the chance to play in the Sunday team.
After day one of the season was washed out, Sunbury will start its season against Newport-Digman on Saturday in a two-dayer.
