IMPORTED players from England, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and possibly Zimbabwe will provide a great international flavour to the Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association this season.
Fixtures in the A-grade competition start this Saturday with St Mary’s taking on YOBS at Barnard Park, and Dunsborough playing Margaret River Hawks at the Dunsborough Playing Fields. All five A-grade clubs have been working hard in the off-season to sign up overseas players. The only uncertainty at this stage surrounds Zimbabwe cricketer Ardene Ruhode, who YOBS are trying to bring out, but is waiting for visa approval.
Reigning A-grade premiers Cowaramup have been boosted with the news both Kavy de Silva and Buddhika Sanjeewa from Sri Lanka will return to the club. A third import for Cowaramup will be Englishman Ryan O’Sullivan. Cowaramup have a change in captain with Sam Berridge taking the reins from Ben Shepherd, who is stepping down after four years.
Dunsborough have signed Ricardo Small-Boyce from Barbados in the West Indies. He is expected to arrive for the second round, taking the place of the successful English trio of Callum Loud, Robbie Powell and Henry Gater. Veteran A-grader all-rounder Danny Hatton, previously with Abba River-Newtown and St Mary’s, will be representing Dunsborough this season. He is sure to give good value when work commitments allow him to play.
St Mary’s have signed up two Lancashire players, quick bowler Ed Moulton and legspinner Joe Lowe; both expected to play this weekend. Experienced Saints players Marc Ford and Ben Mattock are going round again, while wicket keeper Kurt Davis has benefited from a summer in England. Opening bowler Peter Grygorcewicz will share his responsibilities between St Mary’s and his old club Dallyellup in the Bunbury comp.
YOBS have a change in captain this year with Ben Payne replacing the successful Nayton Colombera, who came close to a perfect hat-trick in his three years in charge when he won two A-grade flags and finished runner-up in his other A-grade grand final. And with key players such as Haig Colombera, Ben Clarke and Neil Langenhoven still playing, YOBS are expected to feature strongly again.
Margaret River Hawks have brought out a number of imports, including Sri Lankan all-rounder Rumesh de Silva, while other new faces will include Paul Farmer, Shane Joyce and Matthew Cox. Hawks will be captained by veteran batsman Paul Tognolini, and have also had a boost with the news that Chris McLean and fast bowler Mat Kent will again be playing for them.