It was a touch over 26 degrees in Melbourne on Saturday, perfect weather to don the cricket whites, but the Victorian Turf Cricket Association ordered a weekend off because of unprepared wickets.
The extended preseason may have offered Aaron Edrich an extra seven days to prepare for his first full season in charge as coach of Werribee Centrals in the west A1 division, but those who cut short school holidays to be in town for the first day of the cricket season were frustrated.
“It’s been the same for as long as I can remember that they decide on the week after the AFL grand final and the grounds are never ready,” Edrich said. “It baffles all of us, to be honest.”
Edrich has enjoyed a stellar 20-year senior cricket career since getting his start as a teenager in the Victorian country town of Portland.
He was long on the radar of metropolitan district clubs before finally making the move to Premier Cricket.
In his two seasons at district level, Edrich got to spearhead the Melbourne bowling attack, including taking the new ball in a district grand final loss to St Kilda.
Edrich had always kept a keen interest on how Victoria performed in the shield and in his mid-20s got the chance to play alongside the likes of Brad Hodge, Shane Harwood and Andrew McDonald.
It was a dream scenario for a kid from the country and while it was short-lived, he will treasure that time for the rest of his life.
“I was quite surprised to be thrown the ball to open the bowling for Melbourne district ones and it was a bit daunting at first, I must admit,” Edrich recalled.
“To play among them and some of the other stars of Victorian cricket was unbelievable.”
For all the big opening bowler has done in his cricket career, it was only last year that Edrich got the chance to become player-coach of Centrals.
Now 35, he’s ready to impart his knowledge of the game to the youngsters coming up through the ranks.
“I’ve been playing senior cricket for 20 years; to have a coaching role is a different experience,” he said.
“I remember when I started off in my early 20s, looking up to the blokes who were in their 30s. They passed on their knowledge and I’m more than happy to pass on my knowledge to the young blokes.”
The first task for Edrich was to find a capable first XI captain. He handed the reins to highly rated young top-order batsman Nick Sardi.
“He’s got a really good cricket head on his shoulders,” Edrich said.
“I can see him taking the next eight to 10 years and taking a few of the younger blokes with him.
“He’s a quality bat, he’s got all the shots in the world, but he’s got the temperament to go with it, too.”
Edrich lost striker bowler Sam Crea to St Andrews Footscray. Sam wanted to keep playing alongside his dad, Phil. Young speedster Nathan Johnson is an exciting ready-made replacement.
Meanwhile, former Victorian Spirit women’s coach Ken Davis will have a prominent role on the Centrals’ coaching staff this season.
Edrich is already seeing tweaks within the organisation brought about by the new co-assistant coach’s influence.
“He’s given a new look to the whole club,” Edrich said.
