Tara Murray
Sunshine United has reinforced its list as it aims to rise back up the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division ladder.
After winning the premiership in 2020-21, the Tigers lost several players and as a consequence slipped down the ladder, winning just one game last season.
With the majority of last season’s team returning and the addition of five players, several with Victorian Premier Cricket experience, things are looking bright.
New coach Henry Popinski said things were going along well ahead of the season kicking off next month.
Popinski, who is a hall of famer and life member at the Tigers, has won six A-turf premierships at the club including one as captain, while also part of four junior or lower grade premierships. He is also a former president, committee member, junior coach and curator of the club.
“We’ve had some really good numbers and we’ve looked to focus more on fitness heading into the season,” he said.
“We’ve eased our way into it and numbers have been good. We’ll continue to have four teams this year, two teams on Saturdays and two on Sundays.
“Still all on turf, which is important for us.”
Popinski said the focus on fitness worked in with the VTCA returning to predominantly two-day He said they had been able to keep pretty much all of last season’s square while bolstered the depth across the top two sides.
Alex Burton, who played for Footscray, returns to the sport after a couple of years off.
The West Australian has been the pick of the batsmen during pre-season according to Popinski.
David Worthington is another who will strengthen the Tigers batting. He crosses from Lalor Stars, but previously played for the Greenvale Kangaroos in premier cricket.
Matthew Sipala crosses from Airport West St Christophers looking for more opportunities with the bat.
Popinski said they also expected him to play a role with the ball.
He said Hamza Ali was set to have an impact with the ball.
“He has been in and out of Greenvale first X1 the last five or six years,” he said. “His performance across both grades has been good.
“He has been pretty consistent in his performances and we expect that to continue.”
Daniel Raniolo, who played his junior cricket at the club also returns after spending time at Footscray.
Popinski said they were excited by what they would all bring to the club. He said some existing players would also have new roles as they look to reinvigorate them.
“They are all quite young and under 30, so their best cricket is ahead of them,” he said. “All five of them will fit into our first XI.
“We will also benefit from them in the field.”
With a new looking line up, Popinski said they were hoping to rise up the ladder this season.
“Last season we lost a lot of close games and other things hurt us,” he said.
“We think we will be fighting for a spot in the four deep in the season.”
