Boom recruit: Kyabram Fire Brigade has welcomed star all-rounder Kaine Herbert from Haisman Shield heavyweights Kyabram for the 2023-24 Goulburn Murray Cricket season.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Kyabram Fire Brigade Cricket Club will be looking to return to finals cricket in the Goulburn Murray A-grade John McMahon Shield competition this season despite some major losses.
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The former competition powerhouse has missed the finals in the past two seasons and is keen to return as a force in 2023-24 which begins with a one-day round this Saturday.
The Flames meet Echuca South, who have recruited well, in the opening round at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
Star all-rounder Kaine Herbert has returned from Kyabram to play with the Brigade and pace bowler Charlie Barnett will join his brother Jackson to head its pace attack.
The Flames are also hoping classy young batsman Anthony DePasquale will also play.
Gun batsman Paul Newman and Jake Gascoyne will be joint skippers and will lead its batting line-up along with Herbert, Rob Salter and emerging opener Miller Griffiths.
But it has lost some star players.
Former premiership skipper in Brenton Campbell has joined Murray Valley Cricket Association club Nathalia and along with club stalwart Danny Kent, who now lives in Queensland will be a big holes to fill.
West Indian pace bowler Chare Smith who played last season is also not returning and Tristan Watson has moved to Echuca South.
From Redback to Blue: Jayden Tucker has crossed from Kyabram and will be one of the key figures as Tongala returns to the A-grade ranks.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
TONGALA makes its reappearance in the top tier of competition without too many expectations.
Club president Travis Johnstone said his club was keen to return to the top level of competition after two seasons and was looking at a rebuild year.
Experienced players in Darin Ohlsen, Jayden Tucker and Adam Nunn are returning from Kyabram to play games and Rory Knight and emerging players in Lachie Caldwell and Luke Smith will get plenty of chances.
Tongala, who will be captained by Alex Williams, has a road trip to Rochester for the opening round.
COOMA hosts Moama in the opening round and is confident it can be competitive this season.
It has recruited two English players, Hugh Bell and Matt Darvill, who are expected to have an impact and it will be looking to the progression of some of its younger players in the Scopelliti brothers Mason and Liam, Cooper Fawcett to assist skipper Jake Kelly who will again anchor its batting line-up.
One familiar rival for Cooma on Saturday will be Michael Hill its former captain who has come out of retirement this season to coach and play with Moama, who has recruited well and are expected to be one of the main flag contenders.
IN OTHER games, Bamawm Lockington United take on reigning premier Echuca while last year’s runners-up Nondies-Cohuna hosts neighbour Leitchville-Gunbower.
The Bill Williams ( B grade) Gus Underwood (C grade) and Peter Raglus (D grade) and senior women’s competitions will kick off the following weekend.
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