Footscray Angliss is hoping the return of two experienced players will help lift the club up the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Evans-Clark Shield ladder.
Angliss is in a rebuilding phase, president Michael Cox said, and finished seventh last season.
But star all-rounder David Khera is back in a boost after contributing 276 runs and 23 wickets in his last season with the club in 2022-23.
Stalwart Sean Tyrrell is also a key inclusion and will bolster the bowling stocks.
“We’re expecting to play some quality cricket. We’re bringing up some youngsters through the grades and we’ve welcomed back Sean Tyrrell and David Khera to our ones squad,” Cox said.
“We’re expecting to be competitive, but it’s exciting. It’s a new chapter for us with some new personnel.”
The club has also locked in a new coach, with Michael Lea arriving from the Arundel Castle Cricket Foundation in the UK.
“We’re excited about what’s he’s going to bring,” Cox said.
“He’s all about junior development, so we’ve appointed him as head of junior development as well, so he’ll have a lot to do with the junior side of the club. It’s about giving them the tactical nous basically.
“Michael has some really good qualifications so we’re really happy with his appointment and can’t wait to get him on board.”
Key bowler Jason Wozniak, who claimed 20 wickets last season, will captain the first XI.
“He’s really experienced, an older guy, and it’s all about these older guys assisting the younger ones coming through,” Cox said.
Angliss knocked off eventual premier Melton South in the final round of the 2024-25 home-and-away season in a result that delivered a shot of confidence.
Teenagers Thomas and Lucas Evanson stood up late under pressure with the ball in the six-run win, showing the club’s future is in good hands.
“For them to bowl those final overs in a tight match obviously brings a lot of experience,” Cox said.
“So we’re looking at building off those guys.”
On the negative side, Angliss have lost Daniel Janka and Darren Wotu.
Daniel Nightingale (356 runs at 39.56) and Ashane De Silva (22 wickets at 14.91) were the club’s standouts last summer.
Angliss kicked off its season on Saturday against Werribee Centrals.
The bowlers got the job done early for Angliss as they had Werribee Centrals in trouble at 7-17.
While the Centurions showed some late fight, they were bowled out for 96.
Wozniak took four wickets for Angliss.
There were no issues in the run chase, with Angliss finishing 2-98 as it hit the winning runs in the 27th over.
Daniel Nightingale finished 42 not out.
Elsewhere, Laverton opened up with a win, while Barkly St Uniting and Seabrook suffered losses.
