DARREN James wants to see more consistency from Merbein South Cricket Club this Sunraysia Cricket Association season.
The Saints have claimed the past two First Division wooden spoons, however took steps forward last year under coach James with two wins – two more than 2017-18.
But the experienced coach wants to see further steps.
“Consistency is probably a big thing for me this year, I’m really looking forward to that consistency from the club and certain individuals at the club. It’s time for them to stand up on their own two feet,” James said.
“I’d certainly like to see the First Division play finals, that would be my main goal, and for the rest of the three sides and the women, just be competitive and don’t fall out of games like we did last year at certain stages, we were in games until certain points and then all of a sudden we’d fade out for a 10-15 over period and that was the game shot to bits.”
Dependable top-order bat Ethan Gray has stepped up to take the captaincy, allowing the experienced Shane Trinick to step back and focus on his own cricket.
“He’s taken the group under his wing and really led by example,” James said about Gray.
The Saints have lost imports Henry Cheal and Aaron Wright, who will not return, while Daniel Chapman has gone back to Nichols Point.
Coming in is a promising new import, Cameron Grimwood from Hetton Lyons in England’s North East Premier League.
“He’s a left-arm orthodox spinner and bats in the middle order. His credentials speak for themselves, he’s coming off a 37-wicket year and made just over 400 runs, we’re pretty stoked picking him up,” James said.
“There were a couple of other clubs, one in Sunraysia and one, I think, in SA that were chasing him as well.”
The Saints have been working hard in the preseason, with good numbers across fitness and skills sessions.
“We sat down at the end of last year and analysed a few things where we fell short in our cricketing areas,” James said.
“We knew one of them was fitness, so we put our major sponsor in Johnny Hollywood into full swing and did a four-week period at the gym one night a week on a Wednesday night, our average numbers were around 13-14 there which was good, then we rolled into Lifestyle Plus for the last month, we were averaging about 24 on a Wednesday night there as well.”
The Saints will take a new look into 2019-20 in more ways than won, pairing up with Icon Sports for a new kit – featuring names and numbers on both coloured and cream uniforms, much like players now at Test level.
The Saints host Mildura East this weekend in their season opener.
