Sean McManus is ready to lead Keilor Cricket Club deep into the finals this season.
McManus has taken over as senior coach, with the Blues unveiling their new leadership structure earlier this month.
Former Sri Lankan international Kaushal Lokuarachchi will return for his second season at the Blues and again captain the first XI.
McManus will have responsibility for the development of the whole club, including a newly formed under-17 turf side.
“We just want Kaushal to really focus on the performance of the first XI and a couple of identified younger players,” McManus said.
“My role as club coach is more to focus on all teams.
“We want the young kids playing in the lower grades to get just as much attention as the kids in the higher grades.”
Keilor is coming off a frustrating 2014-15 season in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s north division.
The Blues were clearly the best team in the competition throughout the home-and-away season, finishing 17 points clear on top of the ladder and enjoying three outright wins during their campaign.
But just when the club’s premiership assault was meant to be hitting its peak, the Blues suffered a shock first-round finals exit against West Coburg.
From last year’s squad, Shaun Guerra will not return because of work commitments and will be a huge loss after scoring 385 runs for the season.
He will be joined on the ‘outs’ list by Jarryd Clements, who is trying his luck in Premier Cricket.
A key replacement will be Victorian Sub-District all-rounder Chris Lee.
Lee took 17 wickets and made 194 runs for Moorabbin last season and should form a formidable combination with Lokuarachchi and Sri Lankan Upal Bandara.
Lokuarachchi and Bandara combined for 577 runs and 55 wickets last year.
In scary news for opposition sides, McManus thinks his top XI can be even more dominant this season.
“It’s great to have Upal returning to us from Sri Lanka,” he said.
“We think we’ll be seeing improved performances from Kaushal and Upal. They had good years last year, but … we still think their best is yet to come.”
Keilor played its first intra-club match on Saturday and will kick off the 2015-16 campaign with a home game against local rival Keilor Park.
The club will then take on Altona North in round two.
