Steaming in: Kyabram’s Jackson McLay - in action here for the Hurley’s Hotel Hounds - is keen for the Redbacks to put together a successful Cricket Shepparton season.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
Can Kyabram Cricket Club make a serious bid to claim its first Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield Trophy in the 2021-22 season?
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Semi-finalists for the past three years and five finals appearances since joining the Cricket Shepparton ranks in the 2012-13 season have not yet yielded a season decider play-off for the Redbacks.
New coach Jackson McLay wants to change that.
McLay said making finals and going all the way was obviously the main aim but acknowledged it was ‘‘a very tough competition.’’
‘‘We bat down to number 11 so we have a lot of batting depth, which should help us a lot,’’ McLay said.
Kyabram has picked up a handy allrounder in Kaine Herbert, a member of Fire Brigade’s premiership-winning side in Goulburn Murray Cricket last year.
New recruit: Kaine Herbert.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
He will provide more batting depth to an already talented line-up led by openers Paul Newman and Billy McLay, Kyle and Cade Mueller, Charlie McLay and Alec Young.
Billy McLay had a breakout season as an opener last season and will be vital in Kyabram’s top order again with his ability to occupy the crease for long periods.
New-ball bowlers Curtis Stone and Angus McKenzie are not playing this season but Kyabram is confident Herbert can step up with Alec Young, with their off-spin to complement bowling spearheads Jackson and Charlie McLay and Connor Hawes.
Kyabram faces a tough first-up test in the opening round this Saturday, hosting Nagambie, one of the stronger sides in the competition since joining the Cricket Shepparton ranks in the 2018-19 season.
Nagambie was the home-and-away minor premier last season but lost its first two finals games to make a straight sets exit from the premiership battle, so is also on a mission this season.
All games in Cricket Shepparton this year are one-day (45 overs each team) fixtures.
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