Tara Murray
Darley cricket players excitedly hit the cricket nets last week, but have had to start pre-season training without their coach.
With COVID-19 regional lockdown rules changing mid week, cricketers in regional areas were given permission to train in groups of 10.
While the majority of players are allowed to train, coach Brian Wheelahan can’t join them as he lives in Melton, which is classified as a metro area.
He said while it was disappointing he couldn’t be at training, he understands the significance of why.
“We are back training but without a coach,” Wheelahan said.
“I rang the hot line yesterday and I’m not essential service so I can’t go to training.
“It’s a mixed bag returning to training. The boys are excited to get together, but there are strict guidelines and we don’t know what to expect the next few weeks.”
Wheelahan said there was a group of four or five players who had formed a leadership group last season who would take charge of coaching for the meantime.
He said he was more than confident that they would be able to get the job done.
Wheelahan said the group was excited to get back and train.
“It’s exciting for them to get back to some form of normality,” he said.
“It’s a little bit different and there’s new learnings along the way. Everyone else is in the same boat.”
Wheelahan isn’t the only one affected by the different lockdowns with Rahmatullah Khwaja living in Sunbury, which is also a metro area.
The Ballarat Cricket Association was due to meet on Thursday with a date to start the season likely to be revealed.
The Lions, who went through last season undefeated and were awarded the premiership after the season was called off due to COVID-19, will field a different side this season.
Englishman Harry Killoran who made more than 600 runs won’t be coming out to Australia. Jake Wilkie lives in Ocean Grove and Ryan Ali’s playing future is up in the air due to work.
While they’re unsure when Khwaja will be able to play.
Wheelahan said the focus was to continue on what they had put in place last season.
“We’ve lost four out of our premiership side,” he said.
“It gives opportunities for blokes like Joel Cadman, Jordan Monaghan and Drew Locke to put their hands up.
“We’ll be super competitive and our driving force is to make sure we back up what we produced last season.
“I’m not saying we’ll go through undefeated again, but we want to be asking questions at the end of the year.”
One player who is returning for the Lions is former West Indies international player Danza Hyatt.
Hyatt, who starred for the Lions last season, has spent the whole off season in Australia.
“The West Indies have different rules and they weren’t allowing flights in,” Wheelahan said.
“The club has been great in accommodating Danza and when the decision was made about training he was at the nets and running laps that day.
“Cricket is his life and he can’t wait to start like the rest of us. I’ve said it a few times before he’s a class above and the best player I’ve played with or coached.”
