TIM’S EYES TURN BLUE
GUN ALL-ROUNDER ARNEL RETURNS TO NUMURKAH WITH ECKARD TO COACH
Cricket season is just around the corner — pending various coronavirus restrictions — and clubs across the region have been busy building their squads.
Reigning Cricket Shepparton Lightfoot Medal winner Michael Eckard is on board as coach again at Numurkah following his maiden season in the role.
The Blues have also secured the services of Tim Arnel once more, whose last campaign with the club was the successful 2018-19 season.
Arnel — a tearaway quick and swashbuckling batsman — holds the rare A-grade double of securing a 10-wicket innings as well as a century across his Numurkah career.
He sits sixth overall for A-grade wickets taken at the club.
Last summer’s runner-up Waaia is putting the momentum of its breakthrough campaign to good use.
The Bombers’ ranks have swelled from two senior outfits to four, adding a third men’s side (E-grade) and an inaugural open women’s team.
Waaia has also welcomed Josh O’Dwyer to the club, having spent the past four seasons at Bonbeach Cricket Club.
A pace bowler, O’Dwyer snared 90 wickets in 47 matches for Bonbeach at an average of 13.43 and strike rate of just more than 25.
He is a product of this cricketing region, having played with Tatura, Central Park-St Brendan’s and Shepparton United between 2007-14 before plying his trade at Williamstown Congs CC and Bonbeach.
Stuart Revell is going around again as Bombers coach.
One star who will not be seen in the CS ranks this summer is Keegan Armstrong.
The Shepparton United import is heading north to Broadbeach Robina CC after two seasons at Princess Park.
Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League action is also looming large on the horizon.
The representative competition is heading into its third edition and the pre-season draft will be staged on October 29.
The specific structure of the draft is yet to be finialised — including how many patrons will be able to attend — but the event will be live streamed.
A link to sign up for the draft is available at the GV Bush Bash League Facebook page.