Werribee has added some experience as it aims to get back into the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west top six.
The Tigers under new coach Brad Robertson have had a number of changes over the off season.
Robertson said they were happy with the squad that they had put together.
“We’ve got two guys that will play in the first XI,” he said. “They will bolster the top end of the squad.
“There’s been a little bit of movement in the mid-range with a few guys who decided to concentrate on football or just wanted to take the year off.
“It gives some opportunities for guys in the seconds and third and a bit lower.”
Former Footscray skipper Dean Russ is the big signing for the Tigers.
Russ joins the club from Deer Park where he captained the Lions to the last two Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division premierships.
Madhur Ghai has also joined the club. He was part of Caulfield’s 2024-25 VSDCA south-west premiership.
Robertson said the pair would be massive for the side.
“It’s huge, a massive achievement for the club,” he said.
“Someone of his stature [Russ] that is really good recruitment for the club. The leadership he brings makes us more attractive for other new players who want to play with players like him.
“You can’t put a price on his experience and leadership.. Our younger players get to watch what he does, it’s a really big thing.”
Robertson said he would be a playing coach but was still unsure where he would play.
He said there’s a big carrot to try play in the first XI side.
“Being older, hopefully the young guys don’t give me the opportunity to play in the first XI,” he said.
“It’s pretty exciting as Dean, Tim [O’Brien] and I played together when we were 13-14 years old.
“It’s fantastic and it’s motivation to get myself in some sort of shape to play in the first XI.”
Robertson said they were really hoping to see some of their younger players step up and take opportunities when they arise as well.
He said they were hoping to get a bit more consistency in the top side after having players in and out of the team last year.
“There will be a couple of opportunities in the early rounds to take the next step,” he said.
“Last year we had 22 players in the first XI. A lot are expected to take the next step up and make themselves entrenched at this level.”
Robertson said with the squad they have, they will be pushing to return to the top six.
The Tigers had to wait another week to get underway with the opening day’s play abandoned due a significant number of grounds being unavailable for play.
Werribee are now set to Melton in a one-dayer this Saturday.
