EVERYONE involved in Sunraysia cricket knew Mildura Settlers’ Braidyn Turner had exception talented.
Last year he proved just how good he was, steering his side to the SCA premiership in his first season as captain.
But it was his performance in the grand final against Workers Gol Gol which announced him as a real star of the competition.
Batting at number four, Turner scored 96, over half his team’s runs, to set them on the path to victory.
It was one of the great individual efforts seen in local cricket for sometime, but he will need to back it up again this season if his side is to go back-to-back.
Setts welcome back star all-rounder Mark Cleary, further enhancing their premiership chances.
Workers Gol Gol go into this season with a similar looking side and after the disappointment of losing last year’s grand final have plenty to prove.
At Irymple they are looking for redemption after bowing out in the semi’s last season.
The Swallows will again be led by skipper Jordan Payne, while Mark Thomson will share the coaching role with Shane Garraway.
Mildura East will be relying on their junior talent as they look to improve on their sixth finish in 2018-19.
Josh Berry will assume the captaincy and he is sure to bring plenty of enthusiasm to his new role.
Nichols Point are being tipped by many to be the big improvers with some strong recruiting over the off-season, landing some big names.
Former Mildura East stars Brad Thomas and Shaun Mathews head the list, with opening bowler Daniel Chapman also returning.
Thomas has been appointed captain, while Mathews will share the coaching duties with international Kaushik Aphale who is returning to Pointers along with English import Glen Bridson.
Coomealla Werntworth are still confident of pushing for a top four finish despite the departure of some key personal.
Frank Neser has returned to Sydney, while talented opening bowler Kobe Smith has moved to Melbourne to further his education and cricket career.
But despite this, the Blues under the leadership of Justin Freeman, still look to have plenty of talent and with the introduction of more Twenty20 and one day games, their strong bowling attack should be well suited to the fixturing changes.
Last year’s two bottom sides, Merbein South and Mildura West, will be hoping to put some early wins on the board to stake their claim.
Both sides still have plenty of talent in their ranks and with a bit more luck could find themselves pressing for a top four finish in what looks like a very even season ahead.
