Werribee’s players would have been ready for action if the season had started yesterday.
The Tigers won’t be using the early start to the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season as an excuse for any poor performance.
“We started training late July and have averaged two to three sessions a week,” Tigers player-coach Mitch Johnstone told Star Weekly.
“There’s been a whole variety of activities with skills, obviously, and some fitness and team bonding stuff.
“We’re pretty happy with our preparation; plenty of practice matches, too, so there should be no excuses heading into round one.”
Werribee was a disappointment last summer, failing to reach the finals when, earlier, most felt it was in premiership contention.
With a new coach and some handy additions, the Tigers won’t be dwelling on the past.
“We’ve moved on from that,” Johnstone said. “There’s a few additions to the group and I’ve come in and sort of focused on the here and now rather than what happened last year, because you can’t do much about that now.”
Competition for spots will be fierce. Brad Robertson, a fast bowler brought in from Footscray Edgewater, would seem a walk-up start for the new ball.
Likewise, Aangan Parbhakar, who played a first XI match at Essendon last season, would be favourite to share the new ball. With spinners Johnstone and Tim O’Brien, that leaves one, maybe two, bowling spots up for grabs.
The batting line-up will be full of familiar faces. Matt Dean, coming off a brilliant campaign last season, is slated to open with Marcus Worrall.
The reliable first and second drop combination of Shaun Dean and O’Brien will add steel.
The question mark hovers over Werribee’s depth in each department. Can the middle- order batsmen and the depth change bowlers deliver for the Tigers?
“We’re looking for three or four players who aren’t as proven in that first XI to go to the next level then we can start to think about finals as well,” Johnstone said.
Werribee will be part of the south-west group this season – the so-called “group of death”.
“There’s not going to be an easy game this year,” Johnstone added.
“It’s a bit clichéd, but the old one week at a time is really relevant to our group this year. If you make the finals this year, you’ll certainly deserve it, no doubt.
“We’re taking it as an opportunity, rather than something to be worried about.”
Werribee will open its season on the road at Yarraville in a two-day match starting Friday.
Meanwhile, Hoppers Crossing will make its sub-district debut with a short trip to Altona.
The Cats have three consecutive matches against western suburbs clubs, with Yarraville and Williamstown to follow in the next two rounds.
They will be keen to make a flying start in a new competition after crossing from the VTCA’s senior division.
