Premier Cricket: Englishman adds to Essendon’s batting stocks

ENGLISHMAN Oliver Soames is expected to add steel to an Essendon batting line-up packed with power hitters during his maiden Premier Cricket summer.

ENGLISHMAN Oliver Soames is expected to add steel to an Essendon batting line-up packed with power hitters during his maiden Premier Cricket summer.

Soames, a 22-year-old right-hander, has featured for Hampshire’s Second XI and Bombers coach Mitch Johnstone has tipped he will be a “good addition”.

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Essendon boasts powerful stroke makers such as James Seymour, Aaron Ayre and Aaron Shellie in its batting stocks.

Johnstone said Soames would complement the club’s First XI batsmen.

“He’s a bit of an unknown quantity still. He’s just making his way in first-class cricket over there,” Johnstone said.

“He’s probably a bit more patient in his approach, which will complement our stroke players at the top of the order.”

The Bombers finished seventh in their first season under Johnstone, an achievement he rated “pretty reasonable”.

Essendon’s hard-hitting opener James Seymour goes on the attack. Picture: Hamish Blair

“But we want to start to break into that top four across the grades rather than just being a minor player in the finals series,” he said.

Soames, emerging Greenvale batsman Ryan Stingel and Golden Point paceman Andrew Warrick are the club’s key signings.

“Then you have got your natural progression with the kids we have got as well. We feel like we are in a good position,” Johnstone said.

Nick Biscontin, David Tantsis-Hall (Northcote), Callum Nankervis (work) and Lakshmn Shivakkumar (Fitzroy Doncaster) have moved on.

Clint McKay has been installed as Essendon captain for the new Premier Cricket season. Picture: Josie Hayden

Ex-Aussie quick Clint McKay has taken over from Ayre as captain and Johnstone hopes the change will be mutually beneficial.

Ayre has aspirations to return to Victoria’s state ranks, while McKay has jumped at the chance to lead his home club after a career which included one Test and 59 one-day internationals.

The Bombers are hopeful ex-Victorian rookie Tom O’Donnell will return around Christmas after he was cleared of back stress fractures that have plagued him in recent seasons.

“That has been lingering for a year or two now,” Johnstone said of the left-arm paceman.

“Just getting on top of it. He’s pretty up and about … getting that news that he has got the all clear. We need to be patient with him.”

Essendon opens its campaign with an away fixture against Fitzroy Doncaster on Saturday.

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