MPCA: Eight recruits bolsters Moorooduc

Moorooduc coach Kenny Cremen says his side will attack in the MPCA this summer after adding eight recruits, including a former first-class paceman.

Seaford Tigers batsman Gavin Whyte has joined Moorooduc this season. Picture: Chris Eastman

Moorooduc looms as the surprise packets of the MPCA this season after an extensive recruiting campaign.

Eight new players will allow the Ducs to play an aggressive brand of cricket, according to senior coach Kenny Cremen.

“We’re going to have five or six changes in our ones from last season,” Cremen said.

“Our plan is to be unpredictable and change things around, always change our batting line-up, be pretty attacking.”

Moorooduc’s arrivals include former Sri Lankan paceman Milan Hettiarachchi, who played a first-class game in 2009.

“He’s a solid fast bowler,” Cremen said.

Bayside opening batter Rumesh Ranasinghe is another key signing.

“He looks really good. He’s class,” Cremen said.

“He’ll probably be the one to watch out of all the recruits we’ve picked up.”

Wicketkeeper Madu Perera is back at Moorooduc. Picture: Valeriu Campan

In another Ducs boost, batter-keeper Madu Perera has returned to the club after two seasons with Somerville.

“He’s our marquee player in a way,” Cremen said.

“He’ll be batting at three and be our wicketkeeper.

“He was huge for us when he played for us a few years ago. Getting him back is huge.”

Justin Parkes.

Seaford Tigers 2012-13 premiership opening batter Gavin Whyte and Old Peninsula bowler Justin Parkes have also joined Moorooduc.

Both are set to play important roles in the ones.

“They want to turn up, play a role and be a part of a new team, a new challenge,” Cremen said.

Whyte made 49 in that grand final win over Red Hill eight years ago

“He’s keen, he wants to play a part in the ones…he wants a role in the middle order,” Cremen said.

Cremen said Parkes has been working hard in the nets and “bowling unreal”.

“He will be a good, handy pick up for us,” he said.

Spinner-batter Sumeth Chaminda, from Grand United club in Sunshine, is another handy addition.

Long Island’s Brent DeMamiel and West Australian Chris Cooper, a hard-hitting batter, have also joined the Ducs.

Moorooduc will be skippered again by leading batter Ben Williams, while Cremen will be a non-playing coach.

The Ducs lost their opening five games last season before storming home to narrowly miss finals.

They face Rosebud first-up.

Moorooduc’s recruits:

1. Justin Parkes (POB)

2. Gavin Whyte (Seaford Tigers)

3. Brent DeMamiel (Long Island)

4. Madu Perera (Somerville)

5. Chris Cooper (Edgewater CC - Western Australia)

6. Sumeth Chaminda (Grand United CC)

7. Rumesh Ranasinghe (Bayside CC)

8. Milan Hettiarachchi (Rovers United Bruck CC - Wangaratta)

Moorooduc’s departures:

1. Pathum DeMel (Huntly North Epsom CC - Bendigo)

2. Lahiru Anthony (Vermont South CC)

3. Kasun Perera (Skye CC)

4. Tom Shayler (POB)