Tara Murray
Werribee Centrals are hoping the on field results match the success of what is going on field at the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 club.
Centrals had a tough 2021-22 season with just two wins in their first XI, but have done a lot of work throughout the pre-season.
President and first XI player Luke Allister said they were excited by the season ahead.
“We’ve had two strong results in practice matches,” he said. “They’re only practice matches, but winning form is good form.
“Our captain-coach Usman Ashraf is going around for a second year and he is smacking around them in the practice matches.”
“We’ve looked to bring in some experienced heads. We’ve recruited well.”
Allister said they had added eight or nine players who will flow through their top three sides. He said they needed to provide some more help for the younger players.
“We played a few younger guys last year,” he said. “Ben Astbury, Connor McGrath and Thomas Giallo all have big futures.
“They got a taste of first XI cricket. We gave them some opportunities and they performed really well.
“We want to see them further develop and build on those performances which we think having these experienced guys will do.”
Moiz Ahmed, Suvish Nair and Rakay Behram are the three key players they expect to play in the first XI.
As well as the new recruits Shaun Jennings will be an assistant coach again, while Sohaib Khan has been their best batter in the pre-season matches.
Allister said they believe they are in much better shape than last season. Last season they finished well outside the finals.
“Last year was tough between guys having kids, weddings, COVID and guys going on trips when everything opened up,” he said.
“We’re really excited about the squad and think we have a good mix of new and old players.
“It’s going to be a really good year between these guys and having the kids playing.”
Allister said with the squad they have, finals are the aim this season.
He said success on field would back up all the hard work that they’re doing off field.
“There’s a good culture down there,” he said. “Whether you’ve been there for 10 years or 10 weeks, it’s really good and people get back to the club.
“They stick together and a lot of people come down and don’t want to leave. We need the results to match that.
After round one was postponed until December 4, Centrals’ first match of the season is set to be this Saturday against Point Cook.
Allister said it didn’t look likely at this stage that the match would go ahead with many grounds still not ready, but it was a wait and see game. He said they were keen to get out there.
In other matches this weekend, Seabrook faces Barkly Street Uniting and Sanctuary Lakes hosts Melton Centrals.
