VTCA 2020-21: Sunshine United boosts line-up for Senior Division season
After a seventh-placed finish last summer, Sunshine United has made some key off-season moves as it looks to climb the ladder in VTCA Senior Division.
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Sunshine United is looking to make an impact at the pointy end of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association season after dodging relegation in 2019-20.
The Tigers finished the Senior Division campaign in seventh position on the ladder and would have suffered the dreaded drop with Keilor if the VTCA maintained its structure.
But Westmeadows and Aberfeldie have been added to create a 10-team top grade after the association opted to scrap the controversial two-team relegation system.
Sunshine United president Mark Dalrymple is hoping his club can rediscover the form that saw it advance to the semi-finals in 2018-19 after claiming the Division 1 premiership the previous summer.
“I think we were a tad unlucky. We clearly didn’t bat well … and I think we probably didn’t deserve to finish second-last but obviously didn’t probably deserve to make the finals either,” Dalrymple said.
“With eight sides it was so cut-throat.
“We were a bit disappointed, but we didn’t bat well and we’ve got a bit of work to do.”
Only Haig Fawkner posted less runs than the Tigers last season, with Sangaran Nandhalal (436 runs), Tom Duxson (275) and Adam Duxson (205) leading the way.
But the top-order has received an injection of class with former captain-coach Neetan Chouhan returning.
Chouhan will take over as skipper of the First XI, while coach David Dodemaide has been reappointed.
The left-handed opener hammered 476 runs at 34 in 2017-18 and contributed 193 runs at 48.3 from four appearances in 2018-19 before taking a break because of family commitments.
He maintained a connection with the club last season, hitting scores of 70 and 62 in the VTCA’s Twenty20 competition.
“It’s a terrific boost,” Dalrymple said.
“He’s an opening bat, very astute captain … if we can get good starts with him, our run rates will be up and all that stuff.
“He’s really well-liked around the club and a real part of our club. We’ve really missed him. He’s really keen to get back involved.
“He is a smart cricketer with his background from Zimbabwe and South Africa. We can’t wait to get him back again.”
Paceman Michael Glowacki also looms as a significant inclusion after he was limited to six games last season because of injury.
Glowacki collected 20 wickets at 15.1 apiece in 2018-19.
“He is pretty keen on getting his fitness back because we really did miss him,” Dalrymple said.
“He’s a good, strong strike bowler. He’s basically another recruit for us.”
Roshan Anuruddha is Sunshine United’s only departure of note.
Dalrymple said the Tigers were not done recruiting and had a “couple of irons in the fire”.
“We are looking to make a couple of signings so we can be a lot more competitive,” he said.
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