Tara Murray
It’s an exciting new era for Werribee in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west.
After having a pretty solid line up for a number of seasons, it’s a new-look Tigers after a number of retirements in the off season.
Tigers captain Tim O’Brien said it would be a bit different this season.
“There’s been a few retirements and changes, but it’s a bit of an opportunity,” he said.
“It’s exciting with new blood coming in. The seconds have been on top the last four to five years but fell short in finals.
“The talent is three, The club has won the club championship three out of the last six seasons or so.
“People have been looking forward to getting those opportunities.”
O’Brien said there were plenty of younger players itching to show what they can do in the top grade.
He said Finlay Cowell is looking to build on last season when he ended the season in the first XI.
Maahi Patel is a 16-year-old who started the season in the ones and Joshua Cowell and Matt Watt have both come back to the club and are looking at big years.
The Tigers blew out the cobwebs on Saturday against Elsternwick as they got their season underway.
Elsternwick did enough to come away with the win by 15 runs.
Elsternwick made 7-185 from their overs. Matt Watt was the only multiple wicket taker, taking two wickets.
O’Brien said it was about a par score. The Tigers lost wickets at the wrong time and were bowled out for 170.
“Being first up it was a little bit on the slow side and you had to bat well,” he said. “Myself and Jono [Burton] were looking good but we both got out in the same over.
“Our bowling was OK, but we have plenty to work on.”
O’Brien top scored with 77 while Burton was the only other player to pass 20, finishing with 28.
Burton said they need to build more partnerships in their innings, as they only had one decent innings.
The game capped off the career of Shaun Dean, who is retiring after reaching game 200.
It’s an end of an era, with neither Dean brother, Shaun or Matthew, lining up for the Tigers this season.
“He was going to play a few games,” O’Brien said of Shaun. “There were going to be a number of games he couldn’t play due to work.
“He didn’t want to take a young kid’s spot and thought it was best to give the opportunity to other players.
“It’s a good achievement to reach 200 games and he deserved to go out on his own terms.”
Hoppers Crossing also started the season with a loss as its batters failed to fire.
The Cats were bowled out for just 66 in 22 overs by Brighton.
There was no issue in the run chase with Brighton needing less than 12 overs, finishing 2-72.
Next up, Werribee faces Ormond and Hoppers Crossing faces Elsternwick in a two-dayer starting on Saturday.
