VSDCA 2018-19: Preston appoints Irish batsman Eoghan Delany as its Sub-District Cricket captain

IT has appointed an Irish captain and Preston is hoping to sign at least one other overseas reinforcement to bolster its Sub-District Cricket squad.

Preston players celebrate a wicket last summer. Picture: Chris Eastman.

IT has appointed an Irish captain and Preston is hoping to sign at least one other overseas reinforcement to bolster its Sub-District Cricket squad.

The Bullants have promoted batsman Eoghan Delany to be their skipper for 2018-19, replacing Luke Bramich.

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Delany enjoyed a solid debut campaign at Preston, compiling 320 runs at 35.6 last summer with a top score of 85 not out against Yarraville.

Bullants coach Alex Lewis said Delany’s passion for the sport made him a standout choice for the role.

“He’s what people call in the cricket world a genuine cricketer. He watches all forms of the game,” Lewis said.

“I would liken his brain to the obsession of Mike Hussey.”

Preston players celebrate a wicket last summer. Picture: Chris Eastman.

Lewis said Delany, who works as a scientist, thrived on statistics and would bring a fresh approach to the club’s captaincy.

He said Bramich had stepped away from the leadership role to focus on his batting.

“He’s loving that now,” he said.

“He’s able to just to focus on the key aspects of his game.”

Heading into his third season as coach, Lewis has spent countless hours trying to convince prospective recruits to call Preston home.

“I’ve had lunch meetings, I have had dinner meetings, I’ve probably almost triples my meetings from which I had last year,” he said.

While the club will have Delany and Sri Lankan Chaminda Vidanapathirana in its side again, Lewis did not rule out signing another “one or two” overseas recruits.

“Success at this level requires marquee players and you can have a strong list, but if you haven’t got that one guy that can make 450 runs or take 30-40 wickets, you are going to struggle to win big flags and remain consistent,” he said.

The Bullants finished 13th in the North-West group last year, ahead of only Coburg, but are determined to make inroads.

Lewis said Vidanapathirana was hellbent on proving himself after two lean campaigns, while veteran quick Dalis Thomas has been building fitness.

“His motivation and drive is beyond anything I have seen in the last four years I have known him,” he said.