VTCA: Yarraville Club land gun from rivals Westmeadows

Yarraville Club has made one of the biggest moves of the VTCA off-season with the signing of a gun from a rival club while even the lower grade clubs land big names. Here’s all the latest moves.

Yarraville Club has landed one of the first big blows of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association off-season.

The Clubbers have shown their intent to again challenge for the Senior Division premiership with the signing of former Sri Lanka international Chinthaka Jayasinghe from rivals Westmeadows.

Last season, he scored 309 runs at an average of 30.9 for the Warriors while also taking eight wickets.

Yarraville Club coach Mitch Johnstone said he was thrilled to land a man who played five T20 internationals for his country.

“We’re pretty sure he is the first player to have played international cricket at our club and it follows on some guys who have had great premier and state careers,” he said.

“We lost our import Justin Bramble a couple of weeks back so we were hunting for someone who could come in a help fill the void. We’re really excited to have CJ on board.

“He should be a quality signing for us.”

Also among the changes at Hansen Reserve so far this off-season has included the departure of middle order batsman Luke Destito to Premier club St Kilda.

Meanwhile, Andrew Cullen has announced his retirement.

“There’s been some changes but we’ve got some exciting young talent coming through,” Johnstone said.

“We’ve put an emphasis on building something sustainable for the future with the introduction of under 15 and 17 turf teams but we want to be competing for a senior premiership as well.”

SYDENHAM-HILLSIDE LAND CARIBBEAN DUO

Sydenham-Hillside isn’t moving up into the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Division 1 competition quietly.

The Storm have highlighted their ambitions to not “make up the numbers” with the signings of two former Caribbean first class cricketers.

Former West Indies under 19 representative Anthony Alleyne was the first player to be unveiled last week.

He will also take up the role of Sydenham-Hillside’s women’s coach.

“Anthony is a classy left handed top order batsman with significant experience at first class level playing for his native Barbados in the West Indies,” the club said in a social media post.

Anthony Alleyne brings international experience. Photo: ICC via Getty Images)

Joining him will be Kadeem Alleyne who recently played for the St Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League T20 competition.

The pair are not related.

A social media confirming Kadeem’s arrival described him as a “highly skilled and genuine all-rounder, with his pace bowling and hard hitting sure to prove a real asset this season”.

Storm coach Geoff Pretty said the arrival of the Caribbean duo highlighted the club’s determination to continue rising through the VTCA ranks.

“We’re really excited to have guys of Anthony and Kadeem’s calibre,” he said.

“It looks like we’ve been able to keep most of our playing group together with the exception of our Englishman, Andrew Reid-Dick.

“We’ve been looking to add some much needed depth so we will continue looking before the start of the season.”

Ahead of a new challenge in Division 1, Pretty said he and his players were excited by what lay ahead.

“We’re looking forward to playing some two-day cricket again,” he said.

“It adds to the mental tests of the games for batters and bowlers.”

CAROLINE SPRINGS LAND FORMER WEST INDIES A REP AS COACH

Caroline Springs move into Division 3 has received a huge boost with the appointment of former West Indies A representative Kevin McLean unveiled as head coach for the next two seasons.

He has previous VTCA experience having played for Seddon during the 2019-20 season where he took 25 wickets at an average of 17.6.

“A devastating bowling all-rounder at his best, Kevin’s name is highly regarded among cricket circles and we couldn’t be happier to have him at the Falcons,” the club said in a social media post.

“His passion to educate future generations on the game of cricket has us excited to see what he can bring to the Falcons.”

PREMIERSHIP STAR RETURNS TO ALTONA NORTH

2021 premiership star Domenic Di Guglielmo has returned to Division 1 club Altona North for the upcoming season.

He spent last season with Williamstown Imperials taking 31 wickets at 13.32.

During Altona North’s Division 2 title winning campaign, Di Guglielmo took 21 wickets.

KEILOR RE-SIGNS HEAD COACH

Keilor has confirmed Duncan Harrison will remain in charge for next season.

The club finished sixth on the Senior Division ladder last season, one game outside the top four.

“Duncan is looking forward to continuing to develop a program and culture that centres on individual player development and team success,” the club said in a social media post.

SUNSHINE HEIGHTS PAIR RE-SIGN

Sunshine Heights has announced its senior coach and First XI captain have signed on for another two seasons. Photo: Facebook.

Division 3 club Sunshine Heights has received a boost of its own after its senior coach, Wayne Miller, and First XI captain, Luke Simpson, signed on for another two seasons.

Heights finished fifth last season missing finals action by just half-a-game.

“We’re thrilled to have Wayne as senior coach and Luke as First XI captain for another two years,” club president Nick Hatzoglou said in a social media post announcing the news.

“The Miller and Simpson families have a long and decorated association with the club and their vision for success on and off the field is clear for all to see.”