After a year of development, Gladstone Park is hoping to be back among contenders for the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association’s George Luscombe Shield.
The Burras struggled last season after losing seven players from the 2014-15 grand final side and missed the finals completely.
Captain-coach Andrew Shanahan is hoping they can turn it around this season and return to finals.
“We’ve been lucky enough to get a Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman, Suminda Sampath Yagamuni Mendis, who played at Avondale Heights.
“Francis Keenan is a fast bowler from Campbellfield, and Dylan Whitfield has come from Officer.”
Former captain-coach Matthew Nyhus also returns to the club, while former captain Jaydan Moore returns to the top side after playing in the lower grades last season.
Shanahan said the five additions to the side would help develop the younger players who got their chance last season. And those opportunities had arisen from the mass departure of grand final players.
“Matthew Harrington is now 18, having come through last season as our main strike bowler,” Shanahan said.
“He’ll stay in the side but will be able to slot back a bit [to first-change bowler].
“The depth of our bowling attack means we have seven players who can bowl, with different varieties.”
The extra depth means the second XI started this season with eight players from the firsts of 2015-16.
After having to call off their round one match due to the ground being unready, the Burras started their season in the Luscombe Shield against Aberfeldie St Johns on Saturday.
The Burras made 214, an 80-run partnership between Shanahan (48) and Whitfield (40) being the key to a competitive score.
In reply, Aberfeldie St Johns was 3-38 at stumps on day one.
Three players had taken a wicket each.
Shanahan said having strength back in the top side reflected the strength across the whole club.
“We’ve entered five teams this year and have a really strong junior lineup.
“The club is going from strength to strength. We’re hoping to emulate what’s going on off- field with what’s happening onfield.
In other matches, Northern Lions will need a miracle to chase down Buckley Park’s total of 5-453.
Donnybrook made 258 from its overs against Pascoe Vale Central. Gurwinderjeet Singh top-scored with 84 before being run out.
Centrals will resume at 0-43.
