By Tara Murray
A strong pre-season will hopefully hold Plenty Valley in good stead come the Victorian Women’s Premier Cricket season.
The Bats have had few players leave, while a number of new players have boosted the ranks.
For second year coach Adam Drinkwell, they are a lot more advanced than 12 months ago.
“The knowledge and the skill of the players is further advanced,” he said.
“It’s been a real positive that we’ve maintained most of our squad from last season.
“Emma Sands is going to Box Hill, but we’ve replaced her with Grace Jones.
“We’ve also added some young talent from around the region.”
Drinkwell said they would field a third side this season.
Last season the Bats started with three sides, but a lack of numbers meant they had to drop back to two.
While the Bats will still have a young side, he said they would benefit from having another year under their belts.
He said with two more sides in the competition, they would play more cricket which is another bonus.
“It’ll be a similar team to last season possibly,” he said.
“They’ve developed together and hopefully will set us up for success in the future.
“They want to keep improving.”
In a big bonus for the Bats, import Providence Cowdrill is returning. She’ll be here for the start of the season.
“It’s a big bonus to have a quality spinner and it helps with our improvement,” Drinkwell said.
Sophie Day and Jessie Hulett are two players to watch this season according to Drinkwell.
He said Day, at the top of the order, has put in plenty of extra hours to improve her game, while Hulett could provide them with an x-factor.
Having finished fifth in the one day competition and sixth in the T20 competition last season, Drinkwell said the club was continuing with its development.
“We want to win more games this year,” he said. “We had some close losses and hopefully we’ll turn a few results around … you never know what can happen.”
It’s already been a good off season for the Bats with Tayla Vlaeminck selected in the Australian Southern Stars squad.
Vlaeminck was one of two uncapped players named in the 13-player squad on Wednesday morning, with the squad to play three T20s against New Zealand starting later this month.
Drinkwell said it was exciting for the club to see Vlaeminck selected for Australia.
“She’s been at the club for a number of years since coming from Bendigo.
“It’s already boosted the girls. She’s already in the Victorian squad along with Rhiann O’Donnell.
“We’re a little surprised, but she’s been with the National Performance Squad through the winter and at the forefront of selectors.”
Work has also started on a new turf training facility at Yarrambat, which is another bonus for the side.
Plenty Valley starts its season on October 7 against Essendon Maribyrnong Park.
