ENGLISHMAN George Harding will return for his third spell with Irymple for the new Sunraysia Cricket Association season as the Swallows look to make it past last season’s grand final defeat.
The 26-year-old, who has multiple appearances for Durham’s second XI in County cricket, will provide left-arm orthodox spin and solid middle order batting to Henshilwood Oval following previous seasons in 2015/16 and 2018/19.
In his first campaign with Irymple, Harding took 22 wickets at an average of 17. 226 runs at 18 and added a highest score of 94, while in his second stint he grabbed 11 wickets in just five matches alongside 232 runs at 38.67.
The Swallows have lost strike bowler Ryan Muir to Mildura East following his outstanding 22 wicket season, but bowling depth has always been a strength at the nest.
Alongside Harding, Dean Fairlie will return to the club, Joel Minter joins from Mildura West to add extra depth, while Dom Price who, took a combined 26 wickets in the top two divisions last season, will look to take a further step forward.
That’s all alongside last year’s leading wicket taker Bailey Anderson, captain and Innes Medal winner Mark Thomson, Billy Phelan and Bryson Lush.
“It’s likely we’ll have a few late starters after a number of our guys went deep into footy finals, but getting George back a couple of weeks before the season will be extremely handy,” Thomson said.
“He’ll help shore up the middle order with his batting and provide some quality left-arm spin.
“I think it’s underrated up here just how important spin bowlers can be, so it’s definitely handy for me as captain to have that extra option in the back pocket.
“We’ve got good bowling depth and I’ve got faith in the options we have and that they’ll be able to stand up when required.”
Thomson said the 63-run loss to Gol Gol in March’s grand final had not really been discussed among the playing group.
“We haven’t really gone in depth into the grand final, realistically I think we just lost to the better side on the day, and a team that after the season they had probably deserved to win.
“We haven’t touched on it as yet but that could change before the start of the season.”
After lengthy campaigns for Irymple’s SFNL senior premiership winning team, Thomson said both Anderson and Phelan will play big roles in the new season.
“They are young guys but they’re already pretty experienced,” the captain said.
“They were both really important with the ball for us at the end of last season, and Billy with the bat also.”
Irymple are slated to open their season against Mildura East on October 7 at Mildura Sporting Precinct, with final fixtures to be confirmed.
