BARHAM Koondrook are looking forward to the challenge of taking it up to the best in the Swan Hill and District Cricket Association ahead of their debut season in 2023-24.
Having played as two separate entities in the now-defunct Northern District Cricket Association, despite still being the same club, the two teams will once again merge after making the decision to play in the SHDCA.
They will bring with them some strong competition as well, having played in the last three NDCA grand finals.
But while Barham Koondrook may have been one of the leading sides last season, they will face an immediate test against Nyah District, according to their captain, Jayden Hall, the Demons having long been one of the SHDCA’s leading teams.
“It’s awesome that we’re going to be up against such a strong side straight away,” Hall said.
“It will be a good test and we’ll know where we’re at.
“They narrowly missed the grand final last season and obviously have a couple of standout cricketers based on what we’ve seen and heard about them.
“But we’re just super excited about it and to be able to play our first game at home, which should hopefully be in front of a good crowd first up, is really exciting.”
The excitement levels have only built since the news of the club’s move, with damaging batsman Warren Lolicato deciding to return to cricket as a result in a further boost to the new club’s chances of pushing for a finals appearance in their debut season.
Also returning will be wicket keeper-batsman Uli van Rensberg, who has spent the past few seasons with the Leopold Cricket Club, while leg spinner Joel Davidson is another welcome addition to the blue, red and gold in 2023-24.
Lolicato and van Rensberg will be important inclusions and should help to cover the loss of leading run scorer Leigh Sobotnicki, who has crossed over to play with Murrabit this season.
Barham Koondrook will still have a strong batting line-up without Sobotnicki, however, as Hall, Brad Lake and Lachlan Laursen are all capable of producing big scores when required.
Laursen will also be a key player with the ball.
Hall has identified the 18-year-old as being ready to take the next step with his cricket.
“He’s (Laursen) played senior cricket for the past four years now and is on the verge of a breakout season, I feel,” Hall said.
“He’s a batting all-rounder: bowls a bit of medium pace and can move it both ways.
“Lachie (Laursen) along with Chameera (Akurugoda) and Mason Laursen are going to be our key players with the ball.
“We don’t have a genuinely quick bowler but we bat a long way down the order to number eight or nine.
“We’re going to win games of cricket by bowling teams out for under 150, because we’re probably stronger with the ball to be honest.”
While their first season in a new competition will undoubtedly present its share of challenges, Hall is hopeful his young side will be up to the test if and when those moments arise.
“We’re a pretty youthful side and it’s a big part of the reason why we made the move over to the Swan Hill league, because we wanted to help develop some of our talented kids at our club in a proper first-grade competition,” Hall said.
“When we came across, it was with the idea of making sure these kids would be put in prominent positions, while still nurturing them through these early years of their development.
“We’re all just keen to get out there.
“The move has been a huge positive for the future generations of Barham Koondrook cricket so far and hopefully we can be competitive throughout the season.”
SHDCA FAST FACTS
WORD FROM THE CAPTAIN
JAYDEN HALL
We go into this first year with no expectations. We just want to be a competitive cricket club and want to be a club that’s respected throughout the league for the way we go about it.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Chameera Akurugoda – Was Barham’s leading wicket taker last season, taking 15 wickets as an opening bowler. Is a consistently accurate medium-fast bowler who is a strong middle order batsman who can be relied on with the bat as well.
IN – Warren Lolicato (Returning), Uli van Rensberg (Leopold), Joel Davidson (South Belgrave)
OUT – Leigh Sobotnicki (Murrabit), Mac Scouller (Murrabit)
