Craig Entwistle will lead Casey-South Melbourne’s batting charge again when the club opens the Victorian Premier Cricket season this weekend.By Marc McGowan
CASEY-SOUTH Melbourne has its eyes on finals action in 2007-08 after enduring a lean debut season at Casey Fields.
Head coach John Hayes has made the bold call for his side to reach the pointy end of the one-day season.
“I want us to play some finals and have a taste of some finals cricket,” he said.
“It’s a big statement, but I think you can look at AFL where clubs come from 14th to fourth in a year.
“It is not unachievable – it is about your mindset and the way you go about your cricket.”
The Swans will need for their younger players to step up after last season’s captain-coach Roger Sillence and strike bowler Troy Ryan went elsewhere in the off-season.
Their places look likely to be taken by Casey-South Melbourne’s two English recruits Chris Benham and Richard Lewis.
Benham has had some issues with his visa and is now not expected to arrive until next week, while Lewis will step straight into the first XI this weekend.
The Swans will also be without first team regulars Clive Rose (Australian under 19 duties) and Luke van Raay (hernia).
Van Raay is having an operation on 15 October for the problem and is unlikely to make a major impact before Christmas.
“At the end of the day (absences) are just one of those things, unfortunately, and it gives someone else an opportunity to impress,” Hayes said.
Brett Watkins, Jye Sampson, Marc Ferne, Tim Dale and surprise packet Aaron Daniel are all in contention to play this weekend.
The leg-spinning Daniel crossed from Richmond in the off-season and has made rapid progress with Casey-South Melbourne.
Hayes has also been impressed with long-term prospects Brad Coates, Jeffrey Dewett and Darcy Thorp.
Batting was a major issue for the Swans last season and they will need bumper seasons from Craig Entwistle, who was the eighth-highest scorer in Victorian Premier Cricket in 2006-07, and new captain Michael Hansen.
Victorian Cricket Academy squad member Reuben Wakefield’s progress will be closely watched and he has shone in the pre-season.
Luke Chapple is another batsman that Hayes is expecting to break into the top side this season.
“Luke needs to relax and make some runs. He’s got the talent and could be a run-a-ball player,” Hayes said.
“He needs more confidence and is trying to make the transition from under 18s to senior cricket, which is a bit of a challenge, but he’s capable of doing it.”
On the bowling side, Hayes is relying on another strong wicket haul from Matthew Hawking and a greater contribution from rising star Lukas Hoogenboom.
Rose, Lewis and van Raay complete Casey-South Melbourne’s ideal attack, and it should be one of the club’s strengths.
Entwistle and Wakefield will be expected to chip in with a few overs as well.
The on-again off-again recruitment of Endeavour Hills sub district quick Simon Black is still to be decided, but the Swans will continue to try to gain his services because they rate him highly.
On the wicketkeeping front, Robbie Elston remains well clear of his challengers, but a similar form slump to last year could see him threatened by the likes of Ben Channing, Max Wakefield or Nathan Hibbins.
“If we can get into the middle of the pack compared to being last on the ladder last season, it would be a bloody good effort and a fantastic turnaround,” Hayes said.
“I have no doubt if we can get everybody on the park and the boys to commit, which they are, and back themselves, they can achieve anything.”
Casey-South Melbourne plays Ringwood in a one-dayer at Casey Fields on Saturday at 11am.
