New Diggers Rest Bulla coach Evan Long was ready for a change and new challenge.
Long had been at Kealba-Green Gully in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association for the past 15 years.
Across his career he’s a nine-time premiership player and has been captain-coach in four of those.
He was Cougars captain-coach last season, scoring 670 runs at an average of 77.55 with three 100s.
Long said he felt the time was right for him to go elsewhere to get more out of his game.
“I felt it was the right time to move on and try something new,” he said.
“Diggers Rest put forward where they are at and where they want to be. They were upfront with that and it was an exciting prospect.”
Long was initially looking at an assistant coach playing role, but things fell into place for him to step into the head coaching role.
He replaces Rhys Berry, who has moved to Rupertswood.
Long said he knows it will be a lot different from playing at Kealba-Green Gully.
He said he didn’t feel that he could have stayed on at the club in just a playing capacity.
“Diggers Rest put forward a good overall plan and what they wanted to achieve was invigorating and motivated me to go across.”
Long already had some connection to the Burras through former Cougars teammate Tristan Krizanic who played at the Burras and will be an assistant coach this season.
It was Krizanic who first got the conversation going about Long joining the Gisborne and District Cricket Association club.
Long quickly got up to speed on the club and the competition since.
“I can’t say I’m super knowledgeable about the league,”he said. “Once the question was asked I’ve done a bit more research.
“Ït was an easy decision to come across.”
Long said the club, which is in the Johnstone Shield, has aims of returning to the top flight, the McIntyre Cup.
The side finished fifth last season but lacked consistency at times.
“They were in some close games and lost some games they should not have,” Long said.
“The club has guaranteed me there’s a lot more buy-in from for the ones and there’s a push to get in the side and stay in the first XI.
“The last year or so they have been happy in the second XI and just rock up.
“If you want to go up in those division, you have to put your best foot forward.
Long said they were in conversations with some prospective recruits to strengthen both their batting and bowling.”
Tara Murray
