A new season, a new competition, same outlook.
That is the Taylors Lakes philosophy on the eve of its maiden season in sub-district cricket as it takes a positive and determined attitude into what is sure to be a challenging season.
Taylors Lakes has departed the Victorian Turf Cricket Association for the subbies ranks this summer, with assistant coach Glen Jones saying the response from the players towards the new challenge was encouraging.
“It’s really exciting,” Jones said. “We’re stepping into a new era and the boys are all keen as mustard. It’s obviously going to be pretty difficult, but I think we’ve got the side to be competitive in the ones.”
The Lions have largely kept their squad from last season together, while adding two all-rounders from Sri Lanka as well as Shaun Guerra from Keilor to solidify the top order.
“Shauny (Guerra) has slotted in nicely around the club,” Jones said. “He’ll also help us out a lot with the jump up in standard.
“We try and attract players who are going to be around the club for a long time … Shaun fitted that mould beautifully.”
While the first XI will attract much of the external attention, Jones said the club’s second XI was equally exciting, with the Lions using the side as a breeding ground for some of their rising stars.
“What we’re trying to achieve is to bring the kids in through the twos,” Jones said.
“The kids who are capable will definitely get a go and we’ll blood them in the ones … we really want to mentor that group of kids in the twos coming through.
“A big part of our move to subbies was to be able to play in Hatch Shield, which attracts all the best kids from around the area. Now instead of going to Melton or Werribee, they can come to Taylors Lakes.
“It will be a good experience for our kids to play on the better grounds you get in subbies, and hopefully they stick with the club long-term and take Taylors Lakes to the top.”
With the first week of the season called off due to bad weather affecting pitch preparation, the Taylors Lakes ones and twos will play one-dayers against Hoppers Crossing in its opening fixture this Saturday.
Jones said the shorter form of the game suited the senior side, but that while the players were confident, they were also realistic about the summer ahead.
“We’re a pretty good one day side,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of attacking bats so it suits our game. We’re a sneaky chance of a first-up win.
“We just want to be competitive this year, have a crack and win three or four games. But cricket’s a funny game and you never know what could happen on your day.
“It’s going to be a big challenge, but we’re in it and we’re going to have a red-hot crack.”
