Bacchus Marsh is hoping its strongest ever pre-season will help put it in the mix with other contenders for the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup.
The Bulls, who flirted with relegation last season before finishing sixth – one of the closest seasons in McIntyre Cup history – hope not to be in the same situation this season.
Steve Charles, who has been at the club the past couple of seasons, has been appointed senior coach, and has already made an impact.
The club’s Peter Lalor said Charles had focused on getting the playing group fit, so it can play out games a lot better.
“He came to the club about two years ago,” Lalor said. “He was at Hoppers Crossing and had a range of coaching positions across the western suburbs, and he has experience operating in large clubs.
“He had good success there, so our committee approached him to take over.”
Lalor said the players had brought into what Charles is doing and there is more commitment from players.
“Last season was probably a wake-up call for the younger players,” Lalor said.
“The relegation word popped up, and it had never popped up before.
“We’ve got a personal trainer in to get the players fitter and stronger … Steve is very fitness focused.
“Last year, we had two to three players out [for] a lot of weeks, and it can affect results,” he said. “Hopefully, we won’t have the same issue this year. We’ve really focused on professionalism.”
Baker will stay on to captain one of the club’s lower grade sides, made up mostly of younger players looking to continue their development.
The Bulls have added to their playing list, signing at least two new players, who are likely to come straight into the McIntyre Cup team.
They have signed two Sri Lankan players – fast-bowler Madushanka Ekanayake and wicketkeeper-batsman Milinda Sepala. Ekanayake represented Sri Lanka at a national level in the under-19s.
“We were looking to add a bit more excitement, and looked at bringing an English player over,” Lalor said.
“Most of them want to play on turf, and we knew someone involved in the Sri Lanka community. Madushanka will be involved in junior development. He has arrived and shown plenty of enthusiasm.”
The Bulls managed to keep most of the existing playing group, and now have a bit more depth for this season, which starts on Saturday, when they host reigning premiers Gisborne in a one-day match. In B-grade, St Anthonys starts with a one-day match against Ashfield.
Tara Murray
