Pingers appoint new coach

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Tara Murray

New Epping coach Daniel Bramich is hoping a few little tweaks will help the side go at least one step further in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Barclay Shield.

The Pingers have been around the mark for a number of seasons, but haven’t been able to claim the title.

Bramich, who joined the club last season, was recently appointed coach of the side.

“It’s an exciting time,” he said. “It’s my first coaching role.

“Being part of the club last year makes it a little bit easier. Being a leader in both cricket and football comes naturally to me.

“As I’ve gotten older, coaching looked like more of a possibility for me. I like to teach and develop young kids, now I have a title.”

Bramich said the club had a core group of players, who were in a similar age bracket that they can build around.

He said sometimes it was just moments that proved to be the difference for the side. Last season, they finished the regular season in third, but lost two games by under 10 runs.

Having come from a successful club in Rivergum, Bramich was hoping he could bring some of that experience to the Pingers.

“Sustained success is something I can bring,” he said. “In those little moments when Epping might have dropped their heads or feel like they’re out of the game.

“At my old club those small moments can change a game and we managed to win games that we probably shouldn’t have.

“I want Epping to be hard to beat.”

John Kulikowski is the only out at this stage from last season’s squad.

Bramich said they were talking to possible recruits, but were confident with the group they have and think they have the right mix to have success.

“We’ve got a really good core,” he said.

“We want the younger players who are 20-21 to step up and not be happy with 100 or 200 runs for the season.

“We need to be more consistent. We’ve got front line A-graders as well.

“We’ll look to develop some younger players. We had a couple of under-16s who played in the fourths and won the grade championships.

“Hopefully they can step up into the twos and maybe get the opportunity at senior cricket.”