Ready to roll

By YVCA secretary Keith Thompson
THE Yarra Valley Cricket Association’s 2009-10 season will get underway for seniors on Saturday 3 October with a one-day game for the top four grades.
The DJ Strachan Shield will see 2008-09 Premiers Wandin host Mt Evelyn, which it defeated for the flag at Coldstream last season.
This will be an opening season match that Mt Evelyn will be keen to win to place the premiers on the back foot.
Wandin’s new captain-coach, wicketkeeper and batsman John Aumann, hopes his young team will make it another great season for the historic Yarra Valley club.
YVCA president Mark Schliefert, in his second season at the helm, is pleased with the enthusiasm of the clubs in the top grades but disappointed with an unwanted bye in both the top two grades.
He said it was not a long-term board plan and it would ensure as best it could that it would not be the case for more than the 2009-10 season.
Schliefert said that if a current YVCA club did not flag to come into the top grades for next season by mid-November the board would look at ways to eradicate the byes.
The YVCA was pleased with its various appointments for the year, including umpires director Harry Marsh. The league is always seeking new umpires and urged anyone interested in getting involved to call Marsh on 0412 350 048. The YVCA junior season will begin on Saturday 10 October with clubs fielding sides from under-10s to under-16s. Not all clubs have all age groups. Club contacts are available at www.yarravalley.cricketvictoria.com.au
The YVCA junior section is in the capable hands of a hard-working committee led by Brian Williams, Brent Watts and secretary Leah Parker, who can be contacted on 0411 417 253.
The YVCA will have some great players this season with Seville Cricket Club seeking to entice Sri Lankan Test bowler Ishara Amerasingh to play at the club.
Much of the hard work via immigration and Cricket Australia has now been completed and with only a few more formalities it’s hoped he will enliven the local cricket scene. It’s the same with Colin Rice’s return to Coldstream from Queensland. Rice has already instilled new life at this very proud club.
There will be lots more news as the men in white take to the field for another season.