DVCA 2020-21: Heidelberg preparing to be ‘hunted’ in Barclay Shield
Heidelberg was the surprise packet of the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Barclay Shield season in 2019-20. Can the Tigers back it up this summer?
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Heidelberg had a genuine shot at achieving Diamond Valley Cricket Association history in 2019-20 before the coronavirus pandemic intervened.
The Tigers were looking to become the first club to claim the competition’s Money Shield and Barclay Shield titles in consecutive seasons and put up a healthy 8-204 in the decider against Diamond Creek before the game was called off.
The pair were later declared joint premiers, but Heidelberg has been left with a sense of unfinished business.
While promoted clubs seldom make an impact, captain-coach Justin Whitcher is aware his Tigers face an even greater challenge to back up an outstanding season given opposition sides know more about his team.
“As well as we did last season, hopefully (the players) are hungry and a bit disappointed they didn’t get a chance to close it out,” Whitcher said.
“Last year it was unexpected that you should perform like that, so teams underestimate you potentially.
“Now the respect is there … so teams might come a bit harder and be a bit more aware of what they’re playing against.
“You’re the hunted instead of being the underdog.
“It will be a good challenge for them – a new way to look at it and see what they’re capable of.”
Heidelberg has lost Dhanuja Nandana, who grabbed 17 wickets at 12.82 apiece last summer, including a haul of 4-28 in the semi-final.
But Whitcher said the Tigers “potentially might gain a bowler” to fill the void.
Clubs are also preparing for a campaign of one-day matches, with the first ball set to be sent down on November 14 after a limited pre-season.
“I think I’ve got a group that will adapt to that OK,” Whitcher said.
“The first couple of weeks is going to test everyone, just to get back into it.
“Something as simple as fielding, it’s an important part of it and even more so now it’s one-day cricket. If you don’t focus on the fielding side of it as well, you’ll get caught out there straight away.”
Only two clubs scored less runs than Heidelberg during the home-and-away rounds in 2019-20, but Whitcher is confident it has the right personnel to deliver better returns this season.
Brad Nihill (260 runs), Zach Pett (257), Lachlan Biggs (249), Peter Cashen (230) and Lachlan Turner (202) led the way with the bat.
But Jack Ridewood (22 wickets), Pett (19) and Callum Gogerly (17) shone with the ball to squeeze rival batsmen and ensure the lack of runs did not result in defeats.
“It was a real team balance last season of blokes giving little bits here and there,” Whitcher said.
“I think there’s still huge upside in the batting.
“If we get that right, I’m confident we can compete pretty well.”
Whitcher said the Tigers’ batting line-up boasted “good flexibility”, which could prove crucial in the limited-overs matches.
The DVCA is yet to release its senior fixtures for this season.
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