New Darley signing Danza Hyatt could have Ballarat Cricket Association bowlers looking back over their heads this season.
Hyatt, who played nine one-day internationals and five T20 matches for the West Indies, is expected to provide plenty of power at the top of the order for the Lions.
Lions coach Michael Alexander said signing someone of Hyatt’s ability was exciting.
It’ll be Hyatt’s second season in Australia. He played with Gisborne in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association last season.
In five games for the club, Hyatt made 410 at an average of 102.50, including innings of 176 and 181 not out.
“We’re excited to be able to get him across for this season,” Alexander said.
“One of our guys had some contact with him and he expressed a desire that he wanted to play turf cricket. He was impressed with our facilities.”
Alexander said the club was looking for extra batting strength this season and expected Hyatt would fill that role.
As well as playing for the Lions, Hyatt will be heavily involved in the coaching side of things.
Alexander said it was exciting for the younger players to work with a player of Hyatt’s calibre.
“He’ll be an assistant coach and our batting coach,” Alexander said.
“He’ll also work with the junior kids. The club is fortunate that we have a good relationship between our juniors and seniors.
“He’s already held a number of clinics and some kids have already experienced working with him.”
The signing of Hyatt goes part way to offsetting the departures of Sri Lankans Anurruda Rajapaksha and Roshan Anuruddha.
Alexander said they were the only outs at this stage and the club was looking to add another player to the mix.
“We’re looking to add one more bowler, but it’s been difficult finding the right fit,” he said. “An opening bowler would be nice.”
The Lions will start pre-season later this month and will take a lot of motivation into the upcoming season.
Last season, they finished fifth, one game outside the top four after having made the grand final the previous season.
“From a club perspective, it was a good season,” Alexander said.
“From a personal view, it was disappointing not to play in finals. That is the goal for this season.
“We start back at the end of this month and we’re keen to get back into it and do the hard work and get back in finals.”
The BCA competition is set to have a change of format, with three T20 rounds to be played for premiership points, along with one-dayers and two-dayers.
Alexander said it was a move towards being more in line with how the Victorian Premier Cricket season was played.
