Tara Murray
The excitement is high at Taylors Lakes ahead of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season.
The Lions, who finished 15th in the south-west last season, have been among the earlier movers in the pre-season ahead of the east-west season.
The club has announced the signing of current Sri Lankan test player Oshada Fernando, is a massive coup for the club.
Fernando is a top order batsman who has played 19 tests for his country including the recent test series against Pakistan. He has also represented his country in eight ODI’s and seven T20s.
Lions coach Alex Deuchar said they had signed Fernando through his brother in-law of Buddhika Janith, who played at the club last season.
“It’s really exciting,” he said. “To have someone of that class and experience, will not only win games and take us to another level at training.
“It’s not just in games, we can learn from him.”
As well as playing, Fernando will be an assistant coach helping with batting technique and is expected to be an important cog in the club’s on field development.
Deuchar said he will use Fernando’s knowledge to help across the board.
“He will have different training methods, which is just exciting for everyone,” he said. “He’ll have lots of different things that he can try to bring in.”
Fernando will arrive in late September, meaning he will be available for round one.
Joining him at the Lions this season is Aamir Raza.
Raza played for the Lions in the 2019-20 season when they made the finals. He was set to return for the 2020-21 season, but COVID-19 prevented him from returning.
Deuchar said Raza was already messaging him saying how excited he was to be returning.
“He’s very popular in the group by all accounts,” he said. “ He’s a high quality leg spinner and good with the bat.
“He’s been involved with the Zoom conversations.”
The Lions are hoping to add another batter to the mix as well.
Deucher said with a season under their belts with him and Trent Waring leading the coaching ranks, the side would also be better for it.
“We’ve added some quality run scorers, including a test player,’ he said. “We will improve and hopefully get close to finals.
“We’ve got two-day cricket again, which will be the same for everyone and the transition will be interesting.
“We’re excited and ready to go.”
