BOTH the Mildura Settlers and Irymple Cricket Club will have new faces on the pitch this summer as they welcome imports for the upcoming season.
Irymple sees the return of English all-rounder Scott Steel, who was one of the stand-out players for the team’s 2017-2018 premiership run.
Coach Bryson Lush said the signing process for Steel had been seamless, with both parties mutually excited to work together again.
“He fits in really well, and he’s a good fella, so he’s just a great asset to have on and off the field,” he said.
“His previous season with us was very good, and he was only about 19 years old at that time.
“Since then he’s had five or six years of experience with Durham and Leicestershire, so he will return a better player.
“He really enjoyed his time with us here, so we had a bit of a conversation with him to see if he was keen on returning, and we put the wheels in motion pretty quick.”
Meanwhile, Settlers have picked up a top-order batsman and wicketkeeper from South Africa, Damien Bouwer.
Club president Greg Schultz said the team had been looking for a player with Bouwer’s skill set and leapt at the opportunity to sign him.
“We’re really excited to get Damien,” Schultz said.
“We’ve got good connections in England, and we’ve had a chat with them, and they said he has a really good reputation.
“He probably won’t get here until mid-October, so he’s probably going to miss the first couple of games.
“We got his visa all organised and everything like that, and he will be living with one of our members.”
Both Irymple and the Mildura Settlers will face off in the first match of the season on Saturday, October 5, at Mildura Senior College.
