LAWRENCE BACK

THE South Otago Cricket season is fast approaching.

The first round of games is a fornight tomorrow.

Once again, the season will be contested by six teams and will start with the twenty20 round before heading into two rounds of 40over games.

The Lawrence Lions are back in the competition this season.

The Lions have been building for the past few years and now have a squad ready, willing and able to take on the competition.

The Milton King Crabs have pulled out of the competition this season.

They struggled with player numbers and commitment for the past two years and could not find the energy to try again.

It is surprising a town the size of Milton cannot find 11 cricketers each week.

Milton was the holder of the Challenge Cup.

This has been handed to the Clutha Comets by mutual agreement of the other clubs.

Last year’s 40over champion the Waihola Swans and the T20 champion the Kai Kings are favourites once again to battle it out at the business end.

Both sides have experienced players capable of winning games and talented youngsters coming through.

Waihola will look to the likes of captain Dylan Bungard to once again lead from the front with help from allrounders

Shannon Young and Kellan Crowie.

Kai has all the experience under the sun.

Pat McKenna has started the season the way he finished the last and his leadership and experience will be vital to the Kai challenge.

Youngsters Will Casey and Lilly Paterson have big seasons ahead of them too.

The chasing bunch all have reasons to stake their claim.

The Valley Stingers have recruited exKai player Marc Phillips to their ranks.

In previous seasons, the Stingers have had no issue scoring runs but defending totals has been difficult.

The introduction of Phillips is huge for their chances.

The Owaka Bandits and Clutha Comets have roughly the same squads as last season.

They will have to dig deep to put complete performances together.

The Bandits rely heavily on experienced leaders Tony Miller and Jeremy Gray to perform week in week out.

Clutha will sweat on the availability of Matt Faddes while young players Caleb Carson, Connor Smith and Kelan Smith all need to perform well.