VTCA 2022-23: Daren Ganga signs for Footscray United

Footscray United has made a big statement with the arrival of a former West Indies international with more signings on the way.

It’s hard not to get excited about the new Victorian Turf Cricket Association season if you’re a Footscray United supporter.

Fresh off a premiership and promotion to Division 2, the Dogs have signalled their intent with the signing of a former West Indian international.

Daren Ganga was unveiled as the club’s newest player on Sunday.

His career for the West Indies included 48 tests where he scored 2160 runs and 25.71 and 35 one-day internationals.

The only wicket of his test career was the scalp of Pakistan star Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Footscray United coach Shafraz Mohamed revealed Ganga wouldn’t be travelling for games.

“He actually lives around the corner from the ground,” he said.

“I met Daren a couple of years ago and we’ve been in contact about him coming down. We had him at a few training sessions and you could just see how classy of a player he is.

“I’m not concerned that he’s older (Ganga is 43) because we know the level of cricket he has played before.

“It’s also fantastic we will have him for most of the season as well, we might lose him to some commentary duties during the T20 World Cup but that’s about it.

“It’s massive to have him at our club.”

Footscray United has signed Daren Ganga for the upcoming season. Photo: Facebook.

Ganga won’t just take on the role of star player either.

He is already making a big impact at United having helped plan out the club’s upcoming pre-season.

“Having someone so committed is only going to help strengthen our club as a whole,” Mohamed said.

“Daren wants to do a lot of work with the administration side of the club as well which will certainly be helpful considering the experience he has in that space.

“He’s run academies in the Caribbean as well and wants to do something similar here.

“We’re hoping to host some big events later in the year and into the season which Daren is helping us to organise.”

Daren Ganga in action against Australia in 2003.

Ganga won’t be the only new face at the Dogs next season with Mohamed confirming the club had agreed to terms with former Sri Lanka A representative Nilanka Premaratne.

The fast bowler has played 56 first class matches taking 145 wickets at an average of 31.79.

And Mohamed said the club would announce another signing in the coming weeks.

“We haven’t lost any players from last season so I think we would have been very competitive without the new signings,” he said.

“We don’t want to be coming up and making up the numbers.

“We’re excited about what’s ahead.”