Tara Murray
Sunshine is hoping for a more consistent season as it aims for finals in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 1.
The Crows had a disappointing 2021-22 season missing out on finals despite having a strong squad.
Crows captain-coach Troy Stone said they didn’t want a repeat of last season.
“We’re looking to bounce back after a disappointing season,” he said. “We’ve had a little bit of a change of personnel and we’re better positioned than last year.
“We didn’t gel, while I think we were a bowler short. We need a bit more consistency, as last season we had one standout player, which doesn’t win you games.”
The Crows have looked to reinforce their squad with the addition of six players that will come into their top two teams.
Dilip Tharaka comes across from Silverton and has already shown he will be a key batter.
Isuru Yaddehige has won a number of best and fairests in lower grades, having most recently played at Moonee Ponds.
Aviska Chenuka crosses from Seddon.
Stone said the three guys all wanted to play together this season and made the decision to come across.
Charith Jayampathi, who played under-19 cricket for Sri Lankan has also joined the club and is a left-arm fast bowler.
Mark Tonge and Andrew Tonge, have both come out from Ireland. Stone said those two would likely start in the second XI and work their way up.
Stone said they knew they needed more depth this season.
“We wanted to add to both our first and second XIs.,” he said. “We want 15 or 16 players who are capable of playing in the first XI.”
Like many others, Stone is keen to get out on the field. After round one was rescheduled, round two which was meant to be on Saturday, was called off due to more rain and grounds still not being ready.
Stone said they would look to back things off a little bit to ensure the group is ready once they finally take to the pitch.
“It’s very frustrating,” he said. “Last year we had a three month pre-season where this year we’ll have a three month pre-season.
“To play some two-day cricket would be nice, but we don’t know what will happen with the structure.”
Stone said they would continue to keep training and hope that the weather finally cleared and allowed them to play.
He said once they do start they have a clear focus.
“We want to play finals again,” he said. “We played finals for five consecutive years before that.
“The group is hungry and wants to play finals in all the grades.”
The Crows are scheduled to face West Coburg in a two-dayer starting this Saturday.
In other matches, Sydenham-Hillside is set to play Tullamarine , Altona North is set to play Airport West St Christophers, Doutta Stars and PEGS is expected to face each other and Seddon is set to play St Francis de Sales.
