By JARROD POTTER
YOUNGER, stronger and hungry for success – these are the three aspects that will define the Casey-South Melbourne attack this Victorian Premier Cricket season.
Despite four big outs – Damien Wright (Tasmania as a coach), Jayde Herrick (Frankston Peninsula), Clive Rose (Tasmania) and former captain Jake Best (concentrating on football), newly appointed Casey coach Brett Lewis believes his side has the required personnel to push up the ladder.
The rumours surrounding Sri Lankan test batsman Thilan Samaraweera didn’t eventuate – with the Swans’ top-order not showcasing the 81-Test veteran this season.
Jolyon Leaver will be captain in 2013/14 with Nathan Frietag – the spearhead left-arm seamer – given the vice-captaincy.
“Jolly been a South Melbourne boy for a very long time, probably our most mature and the smartest player we’ve got,” Lewis said.
“Had a decent year with the bat last year and taken the ownership this year with such a young group and will be a great leader.
“Nathan is a future leader of the club and hopefully plays a lot for us – provided Victoria keeps their hands off him.”
Chris Hall will join the side as well adding another layer of experience to the top-order – which will feature Shane Maggs and Josh Holden opening the batting.
Casey-South Melbourne has gone the local route with their recruiting – snaring a pair of strong DDCA Turf 1 premiership players – with Buckley Ridges Troy Aust and Daniel “DJ” Watson joining the Casey Fields crew.
“Troy will start with the gloves and bat middle order and DJ will bat top four,” Lewis said.
“We’ll use him as a pinch hit bowler – he’s had a ripping pre-season – really fit and up and about and so has Troy.
“Technically improved his bowling a lot – has put on 10 kms (bowling speed) since the start of pre-season, with no back soreness, so I’ll be very interested to see what he can do as an all-rounder.
The tall trio Ash Perera, Nathan Frietag – the first XI vice-captain – and Andrew Perrin will return to the line-up with the spinning duties to be taken by youngster Lachlan Stirling – a left-arm orthodox spinner.
The season starts on Saturday with Casey-South Melbourne travelling to the Albert Ground to face Melbourne Cricket Club.
Casey-South Melbourne VPC 2013-14 fixture
Date Playing
5 Oct Melbourne (A)
12 Oct Hawthorn Monash Uni (H)
19 Oct Melbourne Uni (A)
20 Oct Footscray Edgewater (H)
26 Oct Dandenong (A)
2 and 9 Nov Camberwell Magpies (H)
16 and 23 Nov St Kilda (A)
30 Nov and 1 Dec Geelong (H)
7 Dec (T20) Fitzroy Doncaster (Morwell)
7 Dec (T20) Ringwood (Morwell)
14 Dec (T20) Carlton (A)
14 Dec (T20) Dandenong (Carlton)
21 Dec Richmond (A)
11 & 18 Jan Ncte (H)
25 Jan & 1 Feb Ess (H)
8 & 9 Feb Prah (A)
15 & 22 Feb FP (H)
1 & 8 Mar NM (A)
