Player gains: Nil

Player losses: Nil

Premier’s prediction (Other than own team): Tyrendarra

PF Christie Medal prediction: Jordi Withers

A grade captain 24/25: TBA

CASTERTON DISTRICT enters the 2024-25 Hamilton and District Cricket Association A grade season knowing that it let a huge opportunity to win its first Dundas Cup last summer slip by.

The Maroons entered the finals in second place on the ladder but failed to win its semi-final against eventual runner-up, St Andrew’s after the Drews brought all their finals experience to bear.

The club has had loses or gains over the winter months but hopefully will secure a couple of new recruits as the summer gets closer.

“We are in talks with a couple of players but would prefer not to elaborate further at this stage,” current A grade skipper, Kaden Humphries said.

“We still have the same group that went so well last season all committed, so we will be eager to maintain the momentum we showed.”

Humphries is aware the threat that the reigning premier, Tyrendarra, poses to all teams and was quick to single out the Darras as favourites to go back-to-back.

“They are a very good team, and I think they can go back-to-back, but I’m sure every other team will want to knock them off this season,” he said.

“Jordi Withers is my tip for the Christie Medal as the best player in the competition.”

Casterton District will start its campaign against College at College Turf in round one, just as they did last season and will be looking to repeat the victory that came their way that day.

The team needs opening batsman, Ben Holmes, to lead from the front again this season after posting 470 runs at the top of the order last summer.

Last year his opening partner was Oliver Foster who was a youngster making his debut season in the top grade.

This season Foster will be much better for the experience garnered last summer and Holmes can expect more support.

He had assistance from Rick Killey (344) and Corey Megaw (324) in the top six and these players will have to repeat this form for the Maroons to be successful again.

The bowling attack is very well rounded with Logan Gibbs (27) and Jacob Edwards (29) the new ball pairing and main wicket takers, with Killey (18) and Megaw (17) all combining well to be a formidable unit as they all averaged under 20 runs per wicket.

Once these four main bowlers are rested in games, players such as Fletcher Bright, Jedd Rhook, and Joshua Jones are brought into the attack to perform that holding role that is so important in these days of more attacking play.

“Our main focus this year will be on our batting as a unit, as last summer we batted ourselves out of games a few times, so we will be aiming to put bigger totals on the board on a more consistent basis,” Humphries said.

Casterton District couldn’t have had a better start last summer as the team won their first five games, but then lost form by losing the next four games before regaining that winning edge just before finals.

This season the side must limit such form loses to no more than two games in succession.