Last summer Casterton District finished in the top four for the second time in its history and although they were defeated by Grampians in the semifinal, they battled the game out right to the end looking for an outright victory after trailing on the first innings.
Since arriving in the Hamilton and District Cricket Association back in 2015/16 season, Casterton District CC earned its place among the top grade by 2017/18 through success in the B grade competition.
From then on it has remained in A grade without enjoying premiership success but has been more than competitive in that time.
The side will be led by Kaden Humphries once again after a successful first season at the helm, and the young skipper is primed for the summer ahead.
“This year we will be adding Logan Gibbs from Mil Lel cricket club in the mount (Mt. Gambier),” Humphries said.
“He played a game with us last year and should slot into our lineup quite well.”
Gibbs will take the new ball as an opening bowler and bat in the middle order where he will be required to push the score along in the later overs.
The side has to put more runs on the board if it hopes to go further in the competition, as having a top scorer with only 281 runs last summer (opening batsman Ben Holmes) is far from what is required at the top level.
With the competition having 10 one-day games and five two-day games, the formats should suit the Maroons better than all long format cricket.
Rick Killey is the one batsman who can play the long innings that every team needs at this level, where the rest of the side can bat around to build totals more than 220 in the shorter format and over 300 in the longer.
One player who made a huge impact for the Maroons last summer is Carey Megaw and the allrounder will return to pick up where he left off last season with bath the bat and ball.
Such was his form that he was selected to represent the HDCA at Melbourne Country Week where he starred along with Killey.
Humphries is looking forward to the inclusion of the former Portland and District Cricket Association teams into the A Grade competition this season.
“We’re expecting the Portland sides (to) add another challenge to the league; the addition has bought intrigue given we haven’t seen or played against many of their guys or teams, we are looking forward to playing against these guys,” he said.
“I think the goal for us is to pick up where from we’re we left off last year.
“As well as bridging the gap between our best and worst cricket to really challenge all sides in the comp.”
Looking towards the opposition Humphries had this to say, “With such an even competition last season it’s tough to pick a biggest threat any team is capable of beating anyone, College are probably one that stand out, they’re a good all-round side with a lot of damaging players throughout their lineup.”
The team will get a chance to judge just how good the Eagles will be this summer as it has drawn College away from home in the first round.
