VSDCA 2018-19: Plenty Valley signs former Premier cricketers Rory Collins and Luke Andree for North-East group season

COACH James Dickinson has drawn on his Premier Cricket connections to boost Plenty Valley’s bid for a return to the top of Sub-District Cricket.

Rory Collins behind the stumps for Greenvale Kangaroos in Premier Cricket. Picture: Josie Hayden.

COACH James Dickinson has drawn on his Premier Cricket connections to boost Plenty Valley’s bid for a return to the top of Sub-District Cricket.

Dickinson has signed two players he was familiar with who featured for his former club Essendon, wicketkeeper-batsman Rory Collins and paceman Luke Andree.

The pair recently moved to Melbourne’s northern suburbs and Dickinson jumped at the chance to add them to the Bats’ First XI squad.

Collins played Premier Cricket for Greenvale Kangaroos, Essendon and Dandenong, making 961 First XI runs and completing 156 dismissals.

“I played with him at Essendon and he’s a super guy,” Dickinson said.

“He has been doing some coaching (in England) as well so he will be able to help out the young keepers.”

Rory Collins behind the stumps for Greenvale Kangaroos in Premier Cricket. Picture: Josie Hayden.

Andree spent two seasons at Windy Hill, taking seven wickets in the firsts and 32 for the Bombers’ seconds, including a haul of 7-47 against Hawthorn-Monash Uni.

He has most recently featured in the Tasmanian Premier League for Lindisfarne.

“He’s moved into the area and is looking to have a good crack at cricket,” Dickinson said. “We’re going to see how he goes with his body through pre-season and go from there.”

The Bats have also welcomed an Indian spin-bowling all-rounder, Dravid Rao.

“He’s doing university in the area and approached the club.,” Dickinson said.

“He’s an off-spinner and batsman from a strong league in India.”

Luke Andree steams in during his time with Premier club Essendon.

Rao’s inclusion will give Dickinson a wealth of slow-bowling options to turn to in 2018-19, with emerging leg-spinner Tane Cotter and veteran Sean Ayres also at his disposal.

“We saw the two grand finalists last year had really strong spin options,” he said.

The Bats stunned eventual premier Williamstown in the first week of finals last season but were eliminated in a semi-final by Kew.

“A lot of the guys know each other from last year and know how each other operates and plays,” Dickinson said.

“It’s just a matter of putting it on the park.”

The Bats start pre-season on August 6 and have added two non-playing assistant coaches, Ash Gannon and Matt Lemiere, to provide off-field support for Dickinson.