Tara Murray
Caroline Springs is hoping the biggest signing in the club’s history will help them cement a Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 4 finals spot.
The Falcons sit comfortably in the top four and on the weekend unveiled recruit, former West Indian international Daren Ganga who will play for the club for the rest of the season.
Ganga, now 43, played 48 test matches and 35 one-dayers for the West Indians.
Falcons president Anthony Rice said this was massive for the club.
“He has played 48 tests and made 10,000 first class runs and captained the West Indies,” he said.
“This is really big, especially for a division 4 side. It’s great for the VTCA and it will generate some excitement, as it’s not easy to sign these guys.”
Rice said the signing came about through fellow Falcon Darrel Brown, who also played for the West Indies.
He said Ganga, who normally resides in the West Indies, was moving to Australia and it went from there.
“It’s huge to add another player in the team like this,” he said.
“It’s beneficial for the younger guys to learn from the pros. We set out to improve and get some more experience to help the younger playing group and that is what we’ve done.”
Rice said they would love to make the partnership longer term.
Rice said the likes of Rhys Blackman, Flynn Rice, Johaan Forbes-Anthony, Nick Alexander, Jackson Mills and Daniel Le-Paez were some of the players in their teens and early 20s who would benefit from having experienced players around them.
The signing of Ganga is part of the club’s focus on moving up the grades according to Rice.
Part of that plan included signing VTCA legend Gary Turner as coach.
“We have a new committee and we want to make the place relevant again and push up the grades.
“We really want to play in the senior division in a few years and we’re leaving no stone unturned.”
The first part of the Falcons plan is to make finals this year and earn promotion into division.
The Falcons were sitting third before the weekend’s match against Moonee Valley. The match was after deadline.
“We would expect to play finals,” he said.
“We’ve appointed Gary and we want to reset the club culture and standard.
“Hopefully it pays off and we get into the grand final.”
For the result of the weekend’s match and other scores in the VTCA, head to www.starweekly.com.au.
Tara Murray
