Altona is set for a big Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season.
The A’s finished just outside the finals in eighth last season, boasting a six and six, win loss record, to go with three draws.
To help push the club up the ladder, one of the summer’s big recruits, Ben Davies, has returned to the club. Davies played cricket at the A’s as a junior, before rising through the ranks to play Victorian Premier Cricket for St Kilda.
During his 214 games at St Kilda, Davies won six premierships, scoring 4729 runs and an average of 28.15. Including four 100s and 22 50s, with a highest score of 140. He also took 87 wickets at an average of 28 with best bowling figures of 5/28.
“He’ll bat in our top order and he also bowls some pretty hand medium pace as well,” A’s coach Aaron Whear said.
“So he’s a real big recruit.”
Opening bowler Charlie Ward from England won the bowling award for the club last season, taking 22 wickets at an average of 16.
“He’s back out again, which is great,” Whear said.
“We’ve had a number of other guys come that are going to strengthen our lower grades and hopefully, push up the grades through the season.”
Promising talent Cooper Mitchell is one that has been around the club for a while but has caught the attention of Whear throughout the preseason.
“He’s got really serious about his fitness in the offseason, he’s dropped about nine kilos,” he said.
“He got an opportunity to play in our first practice match on the weekend and took six wickets.
“There’s also a couple of guys that have come back to the club, Mitchell Grubb… and Jake Duff, so those two guys definitely go into our senior squad so they create some extra depth.”
As the West meets the North again for the 2023/24 season and with some fresh faces at the club the A’s are ready to make the jump into finals.
“We want to win as many games as possible,” Whear said.
“I believe we’re capable [to play finals], so it’s a matter of us being able to put those performances on the park.
“We’ll be absolutely aiming to play finals cricket.”
The A’s will kick off their season with a two day clash against Melton on October 7.
Harper Sercombe
