RSL CRICKET CLUB – 2022-23 SEASON PREVIEW
SHDCA FAST FACTS
PRESIDENT – Pat Caldwell
A-GRADE CAPTAIN – Ben Hallam
SENIOR COACH – Paul Munro
LAST A-GRADE PREMIERSHIP – 2017-18
2021-22
FINISH – Sixth
LEADING RUN SCORER – Ryan Hinton – 281 runs @ 35.13
LEADING WICKET TAKER – Brenton Caldwell – 19 wickets @ 10.53
SEASON PREVIEW
After missing finals last year for the first time in almost ten seasons, RSL will be out for redemption when the 2022-23 SHDCA season kicks off next weekend.
While the bulk of their playing squad will have a similar look, there will be one big change – with long-time skipper Ryan Hinton handing the reins over to up-and-coming top order batsman Ben Hallam. Hallam impressed in his first season with the Blues last year, previously playing for Mildura West in the Sunraysia Cricket Association and will be hoping a change of leadership and game style may be just the tonic to lead RSL back into the finals race.
While the Blues undoubtedly have an ageing list, the reality is they are a much better side than their sixth-place finish last season would suggest. While they may have finished with a four and six win loss record, they were competitive in every match and lost a number of close games that went right down to the wire – and it’s with that in mind that Hallam believes his side can once again challenge for the title come seasons end.
“We lost a few games by minimal margins last year, we either fell just short in the run chase or we just had a couple of bad overs with the ball and that cost us wins – so from that perspective, we know we aren’t far away and that our best is still good enough,” Hallam said.
“We’ve still got the core of those great RSL teams at our disposal, the focus now is really about those guys and the senior members of the club imparting their knowledge onto the younger players that we’re hoping will come through the ranks this season.”
“The kids won’t learn anything from the experienced guys winning the game for them and I’d like to try and expose those kids to those type of situations and I think us learning how to turn those tight losses into six points will be a big part of our planning going forward this season.”
The younger players that Hallam is talking about are a key trio of juniors who are set to graduate from the Blues juniors – with Jett Hinton, Charlie Kingwill and Billy O’Meara set to be regular fixtures in their A Grade line-up. While RSL appear set to turn their attention towards the future of their club, they will still possess some of the competition’s best and most damaging players – making them a challenging proposition for any opponent.
As he has been for the best part of the last decade, Ryan Hinton is still one of the best batsmen in the league, while Stuart Patterson has the capabilities to rip a game away from anybody with ten overs of power hitting. The pair, combined with the ever-reliable Brenton Caldwell and Hallam, are more than capable of putting a winning score on the board if allowed to bat for any significant length of time.
But while the Blues’ big strength has long been their ability to post big scores, Hallam is hoping it’s his team’s efforts from last season that continue – and where he’s hoping to have an advantage over his opposition over the next six months.
“Based off last season, the ball kept us in most games – there were a couple of times we just managed to scrap our way to three figures and we managed to make that score competitive or defend it through our efforts with the ball,” Hallam said.
“We’ll be a bit sharper around the field with a few of the younger boys in the side and having them play more consistently, so I think our biggest strength will be with the ball.”
WORD FROM THE CAPTAIN
BEN HALLAM
“On our day, we know we can beat anyone, it’s just being able to put those days together more consistently.
“We’ve got plenty of experience at the club and plenty of guys who have achieved a lot, we’re not lacking in talent, but this year will be more about bringing through the next generation and developing them.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Ryan Hinton – Still one of the best batsmen in the competition, Hinton is more often than not the linchpin to any RSL innings. Is the one player most opposition teams want to dismiss early, as once he’s set, he’s almost impossible to get out. Will once again take the gloves, with the Blues hoping unburdening him with the captaincy may just lead to an explosion of runs.
INS – Nil
OUTS – Tristan Dalbon (Nyah District)
