Riddell is hoping a little bit more stability in the batting order will help the side move past the first week of the finals in Gisborne and District Cricket Association.
Just as it has the past two years, Riddell enters the McIntyre Cup with one of the strongest lists in the competition.
Most of the squad from last year have stayed on, and they’ve picked up the biggest off season recruit in Mick Allen.
Allen dominated with the bat in both premier and Victorian Sub-district Cricket Association competitions, getting top honours in both.
The Riddells Creek resident decided to move back to local cricket to spend more time with his family, and to cut out the travel.
“It’s made a massive difference playing here; I get home and get to see the kids more.”
Allen will be captain-coach this season, taking over from Heath Wadden, who remains on as a player.
Allen, who is coaching for the first time, said he is slowly adjusting to the slower pace of local cricket.
“This is a slower pace.
“It’s new to me; I haven’t coached before,” he told Star Weekly.
“I’ve done a fair bit of captaincy … I’ve had some good mentors along the way.”
Allen said it had been a slow start to the pre-season, with their football counterparts making it through to the Riddell District Football League grand final.
“We’ve had a fair few numbers at training, and have a very similar line-up to last season,” he said.
“Michael Treweek is heading back to Rupertswood and Cameron Clayton has gone to St Anthonys.
“Matt Darby is having his shoulder done, but we are expecting him to play towards the second half of the season.
“Jack Baker didn’t play much last season, but will play more this year.
“We’ve replaced the ones we’ve lost,” Allen said.
Although there’s been no talk about the side’s late season collapses in the past two years, Allen said he is more worried about what’s ahead.
The past two years Riddell has started the season well, before fading after Christmas and losing in the first week of finals. Batting was one area that was inconsistent.
“The list is strong, and we’re trying to tweak a few things,” Allen said. “Outside, it did look like we struggled in those areas [batting], and with some stability … I’m hoping everyone will improve 10-15 per cent – we should be right.
“Gisborne and Diggers Rest look strong again, and Woodend may have picked up some players. We’ll concentrate on ourselves.”
Riddell starts their season on Saturday against Sunbury.
In other matches, Woodend hosts Romsey, Diggers Rest Bulla faces the newly promoted Rupertswood, while reigning premiers Gisborne travel to Bacchus Marsh.
