Sunshine’s list of outs could be cause for alarm.
But the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield outfit has secured an impressive list of ins, meaning expectations remain high after last season’s grand final appearance.
A new-look line-up provides reason for excitement, according to club legend and coach Troy Stone, who has returned to the top job for this summer.
Sri Lankan first-class player and star all-rounder Pramud Hettiwatte headlines the departures after hitting 451 runs and claiming 30 wickets in 2024-25, as he shared the competition’s player-of-the-year award.
Last season’s coach Shafraz Mohamed, Dilip Tharaka, Charith Fernando, Charitha Jayampathi and Isuru Yaddehige have also exited.
On the plus side, the experienced Arosh Janoda has arrived from senior division club St Albans in a recruiting coup for the Crows.
Udara Ranasingha (Greensborough) has signed on as an assistant coach, while Dilum Weerarathna has crossed from Craigieburn after 23 wickets in the top grade last season.
Leg-spinner Melisha Deshapriya (Taylors Lakes) and attacking opening batter Muhammad Shakeel (Brunswick) have come from the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
“With what we’ve been able to replace (the departures) with, I’m very confident in a finals appearance,’’ Stone said.
“We’ve added a lot of depth across both grades, so there’s probably 10 new players in the firsts and seconds, which is a good result.
“There are a couple of boys who we lost due to different circumstances who we would have loved to have kept, but that’s cricket in this day and age.
“The guys we have added have either played sub-district first XI or senior division, so really confident in what we’ve got.’’
Stone described match-turning all-rounder Janoda as a ‘‘massive inclusion’’ for Sunshine.
“It was an interesting one. He approached us and was looking at changing clubs. We jumped at the chance and had a couple of meetings with him and told him what we needed out of him and the direction and the leadership we want him to show the group,’’ he said.
“He’s been a star player for a long time and I won’t expect anything less in division 1. He hasn’t played lower than this, so a big season ahead I believe.’’
Janoda claimed 23 wickets last season and hit two half-centuries with the bat, logging 271 runs.
The Crows are also set to enjoy increased competition for spots in their top team this season.
“We’ve probably got 16 players capable of playing first XI. In previous years, it’s been 12 and 13,’’ Stone said.
“There’s a little bit of unknown, but the unknown is the exciting part.
“These guys just go out and play with freedom, and give them the freedom to do so, I believe the results will come.’’
