By Tara Murray
Woodend is hoping to go one step further in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup Premier first grade competition this season.
After finishing runners-up last season to Bacchus Marsh, Woodend has managed to keep its squad together while adding a bit more depth.
Woodend president Ronan Hume said it had been a pleasing off season.
“We’ve got pretty much the same crew,” he said. “We’ve got an import for the first time and we’ve looked to bolster our side a bit with a few guys from our C-grade side who were a bit young last season.
“They may step up and we’ve already got a good balance of youth and experience. We hope to go one further than last season.”
The signing of Englishman Monte McCague has been the big news in the off season.
The 19-year-old comes to Woodend from Leeds and Broomfield Cricket Club in Kent. He is the son of former fast bowler Martin McCague, who played three tests for England.
Hume said McCague was the type of player they had been looking for.
“We were after someone that wasn’t necessarily already a star,” he said.
“He has shown potential and is happy to coach the juniors. He’ll probably coach the under-17s.
“He’s a bowling all rounder. He was notably a bowler, but concentrated on his batting when he was injured.
“We see he will be a middle order batsman for us.
“We think he will fit in at the club.”
This season Woodend has decided to go with a different coaching structure.
Instead of having one coach, five of the senior players will take on mentoring roles focusing on certain areas.
Hume said there had been a good response from the players and the members.
“Five of the senior players are taking on roles and working with players and looking at ways to improve.
“Michael Nalesnyik will look after the spinners and the slower bowlers, Greg Matthews will look after the medium and faster bowlers, while the rest [Warren Else, Adam Johnstone and Brett Gardner] will share the batting and all rounder roles.
“It’s something a bit different and they have all been really accepting of it. We’re going in a good direction and, fingers crossed, it works.”
Nalesnyik coached the side the past two seasons, while Else and Johnstone coached the side before that.
Hume said across the club things were looking good.
He said in a big boost they were looking to have two girls teams. Last season they started with a handful of girls, before finishing the season with nine players.
Anyone interested in playing girls cricket can contact the club.
