Endeavour Hills stands firm

By Marc McGowan
ENDEAVOUR Hills will rely on internal improvement in its bid for a maiden finals appearance in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association this summer.
Ex-Casey-South Melbourne head coach John Hayes replaces Vaughan Baxter as the Hills’ captain-coach, but the latter will remain as a player.
Baxter initially expected to only be available until Christmas, but a delay in his relocation to Manila for work will see him play the full season. His presence on the field last summer led Endeavour Hills to a club-best result – and almost the finals.
Veteran batsman Peter Edwards, the club’s leading run-scorer last season, is the only major departure and Hayes is confident he can be covered.
“There’s going to be some improvement from a few guys anyway,” Hayes said. “I expect to see some other guys step up and fill that. I’m not stressing about it. I think we’ll be quite competitive and if they can improve from last year that would mean playing finals.”
Edwards will instead pad up for Langwarrin.
Hayes has identified opener Justin Merlino as the man who could produce a breakthrough campaign.
Merlino had a down year in 2008/09, but boasts a great technique and has enjoyed a terrific pre-season.
Hayes is likely to bat in the top order and will form a lethal spin combination with left-arm tweaker Shane Peake, whose 34 wickets last season were the second-most in the competition.
Peake may be a slow starter, however, due to a hernia operation that has seen him return to training only recently.
Hayes also expects big things from Peake’s brothers, wicketkeeper Neil and all-rounder Chris, and the unorthodox Lenny van der Werff.
Englishman Richard Evans is back for a second crack at sub-district cricket and, despite taking plenty of wickets last summer, will need to make more runs to justify his position.
Young tearaway Matt Foenander is also primed for a strong season, as is teenager Lachie McIver, who has picked up a yard of pace over the winter.
Veteran Richie Saniga should also be good for a few wickets and some runs late in the order.
Hayes is tipping the likes of Jarrod Russell, Bihan Weerakoon, Kane Gillespie and 15-year-old Kevin Keane to push for first XI selection at some stage this summer.
But the new coach is trying to keep a lid on pre-season expectations and wants his team’s performances to do the talking.
“We haven’t made too many changes, but I’m looking to bring a different type of coaching philosophy and style and, obviously, I’m trying to lift the bar a bit for them as well,” he said. “We’re quietly going about it and I’m not going to make any bold predictions, but if we perform to our ability we’re going to have a very good season.I’d be very disappointed if we didn’t match last year. I think the seconds will be a good, talented young side as well – and that will help having a few boys putting pressure on.”
Endeavour Hills will face some different opposition this season, with last summer’s South/East competition becoming a North/East league this year.
There are also three Twenty20 matches on the schedule.
The Hills begins with a two-dayer against Coburg at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday, 10 October from 1pm.
VSDCA officials chose to postpone this weekend’s scheduled start due to the general pitch conditions across the state.
Round-one games will be played in December.