Player gains: Ben Hanrahan (Leongatha), Simon Close (injury)

Player losses: Nil

Premier prediction (other than own team): Tyrendarra

PF Christie Medal prediction: Simon Close

A grade captain 24-25: Hamish McCrae

PIGEON PONDS will enter the 2024/25 Hamilton and District Cricket Association A grade competition seeking to roost much higher on the premiership ladder after dropping to 10th place last season.

Hamish McCrae will be skipper once again with the tall all-rounder taking greater responsibility with bat and ball last summer, especially after the side lost Simon Close to injury.

Close did manage to play six games at the start of the summer before he underwent surgery for a knee injury sustained during the football season, and his return to full fitness will give the side a huge boost.

He did manage to post 240 runs in those games despite being unable to run much between the wickets.

Ponds will be joined in the middle this summer by recruit, Ben Hanrahan, who has moved to the district for work, and is a top order right-hand batsman who will also add some much needed off-spin bowling to the attack.

“We started pre-season training on September 18 with a dozen players present which is pleasing, and we will work into the season as we get closer to the start date,” McCrae said.

“To have Simon (Close) back to full fitness is going to be a huge asset for us, and Ben (Hanrahan) will also bolster our top six batting while he may even take the keepers gloves at some stage.”

McCrae (22 wickets) was the only Ponds bowler to feature in the top 20 wicket takers list for the competition last summer as the skipper shouldered much of the attack, but Jack Beaton should be back for a full season and along with Close will give the team a strong new-ball bowling attack.

Pigeon Ponds has been thereabouts in the fight for finals over the past few summers but has failed to go on and claim a spot in the final.

The batting order will have Peter Staude, Noah Hildebrand, Simon Close, Hanrahan, Anthony Close and Michael Close as the best possible top order the club can name, and these players must look to post 400 runs apiece over the season if the side is to reclaim a finals berth.

“We need to be more consistent across the board and our commitment must also improve,” McCrae said.

Peter Staude (395) was the only player to post 300 runs last season and no team will raise the Dundas Cup with those stats, with much more required from the batsmen.

The club has installed a new synthetic wicket at its home ground which will allow the players to showcase their skills as its far wider than the old surface it replaced.

A turf wicket is out of the question at the venue due to a lack of available water to maintain such a surface, so this is the best option for the club.