Tara Murray
Keilor is hoping former West Indian international Miguel Cummins will have an immediate impact in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
Cummins arrived in Australia on Friday and is set to take to the field for the Blues tonight in their T20 clash with Airport West St Christophers.
The fast bowler has played 14 test matches and 11 one-day internationals for the West Indies, with his most recent international match in 2019.
Blues senior operations manager Guy Barbuto said Cummins would be a massive inclusion of the whole club.
He said it had been a process of four months to get him signed and into the country.
“We’ve been waiting to announce this for a while,” he said. “With the government and borders, it made us a bit tentative to announce it earlier.
“He wouldn’t be just massive for the side [first XI] but the whole club with his knowledge and experience. It will benefit the men’s, women’s and juniors.”
Barbuto said they were expecting Cummins to perform with both the bat and ball. In recent times he has been playing County cricket in England while also playing in the Caribbean Premier League T20 competition.
“He got out of quarantine yesterday [Sunday] and he’s already in the group chats. He’s had one-on-one chats with most of the side.
“He has a wealth of knowledge and we’re expecting him to bring a lot with the bat and ball.”
The inclusion of Cummins is a boost for the Blues, who sit 2-1 after the first three rounds in the senior division.
On Saturday, they suffered their first loss of the season, falling short against Haig Fawkner.
The Blues made 5-187, which Haig Fawkner chased down, with more than three overs remaining. Haig Fawkner finished 3-189.
Barbuto said they only had themselves to blame.
“It was one that got away,” he said.
“We were 20 to 30 runs short, we left them out there. Nathan Beever got a nice knock [78], Kristian Dixon got a start but didn’t go on with it, while Luke Delbridge had a little cameo.”
Despite the loss, Barbuto said they were happy with how they were travelling so far.
Cummins, Ryan Metz and Lucas Elliott are likely to come into the side this weekend to further strength the side.
Barbuto said they had a number of key games in the lead up the Christmas break, which could set up its season.
The Blues face Druids and Sunshine United this weekend, with teams to play on Sunday to make up for the round one wash out.
