Tara Murray
Keilor Park will be ready once it finally takes to the field in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2 this season.
The Devils and the rest of the competition have had to sit on the side lines the opening three weeks of the season as heavy rain causes havoc preventing any play getting underway.
Devils president David Tardio said it had been a really good pre-season for the club.
“We’ve had a few guys come back this year which has been really good,” he said.
“We’ve got a couple of new recruits from the local area and it’s the first time getting an overseas player as well, which is really exciting.
“We’re going from strength to strength.”
Tardio said many of the players who were returning had played at Keilor Park for years but after COVID had to focus on work for a couple of years.
He said the first XI would have the same core as last season with a few additions.
Recruit Sam Langdon is a player to come into the side, while there’s a couple of younger guys like Zach Cotter and Luke Ceslie who would also be pushing for first XI spots.
“The young guys have had a really good pre-season and we’re looking forward to seeing how they play,” Tardio said.
“Luke and Zach have played juniors at Keilor Park. With the new guys it will strengthen their second and third XIs.”
Having finished last season in sixth spot, the Devils are keen to close the gap on the top sides. He said they weren’t far away last season with a couple of losses in close games hurting them
“The expectation is to definitely play finals, that’s what we want to do,” he said.
“Given we’ve lost two games it makes it more difficult and every game is a must win.
“We want to make sure the club is moving in the right direction, whether we play finals or not. That is our goal.”
The Devils were set to play the Greenvale Kangaroos on Saturday in the first day of a two-dayer but play was called off on Wednesday due to heavy rain making grounds unplayable.
It means the first three weeks have now been called off. Round three now becomes a one-dayer, while round one has been rescheduled.
The club will again have a women’s side in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association social competition.
Tardio said that side would also have a new look with some new players coming down to join the club.
The women’s side it set to start their season next Sunday against Youlden Parkville in the Geoff Law Shield, the top women’s grade in the NWMCA
He said any other players, both male and female, who were interested in playing cricket were welcome to come down and join the club.
Tardio said players of all abilities were welcome to play.
