The S&C Young Ones will be bolstered this year by the return of former player Pete Maher, an addition aimed at increasing the Young Ones’ batting depth.
Last season, the Young Ones struggled to bat through the order, missing out on runs at crucial stages in a number of matches.
In recruiting Maher, the Young Ones hope to improve their ability to bat down the order and build on starts set up by their top order batsmen.
Secretary of the South West Slopes Cricket League (SWSCL) Kelly Meddings is heavily involved with the Young Ones and sees the addition of Maher as a huge bonus to the team.
“It’s a big inclusion to have Pete back.
“We need to bat deeper down the order and hopefully Pete will contribute heavily to that.
“We had a few really close games that we could have won with a few more runs on the board last season, I hope that’s the difference this year,” Meddings said.
The Young Ones have also added former Cootamundra player Wade Miller to their roster as an extra wicket-keeper.
Meddings said the move gives the Young Ones added flexibility in the field.
The team is in the fortunate position of maintaining the rest of last season’s side and with their new additions look set for a successful campaign.
After the first two rounds of the SWSCL were abandoned, the team is ready to play but are in for a challenge, facing reigning premiers the Mimosa Whirlwinds in round three.
It was the Whirlwinds who knocked the Young Ones out of the SWSCL in last year’s semi-finals so the team is out for revenge.
“They were the side that put us out last year so we’re keen to get a win against those boys,” Meddings said.
The match is scheduled for Nixon Park in Temora but is still weather pending.
Light rain is forecast for the week but Meddings remains hopeful the season will finally begin this weekend.
A decision will be made on Wednesday whether matches will go ahead this weekend.
The draw for this weekend’s matches in the Delta Agribusiness Division One is: Aussie Hotel Coyotes vs Central Hotel. Mimosa Whirlwinds vs S and C Young Ones. Family Hotel Crusaders has the bye. In the Dunk Insurance Division Two competition the draw is: Temora Bowling Club Tigers vs Temora Ex-Services Renegades. Stockinbingal Cricket Club vs Shamrock Hotel Leprechauns. Wallendbeen Cricket Club vs Albion Hotel Cootamundra Cricket Club. Aussie Hotel Scorchers vs Criterion Gunners. Young Hotel Saints has the bye.
