MPCA: Sorrento’s planned pace attack loses some sizzle
Sorrento’s quest for back-to-back flags has suffered a sledgehammer blow with a star player pulling out of the 2020-21 Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association season.
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Reigning MPCA Provincial premiers Sorrento has suffered a pre-season blow, with star recruit Jarrod Armitage pulling the pin.
The former Springvale South and Berwick paceman was living in Rosebud but has recently moved to Pakenham.
“It’s frustrating, close to the season — that’s if we have a season,’’ Sorrento captain Bobby Wilson said.
Sorrento was set to sizzle, with Armitage to partner with Jake Wood in a fearsome new ball combination sure to have opening batsmen ducking and weaving.
“It would have been nice having the two quicks but we are pretty happy with our depth,’’ Wilson said.
The loss of Armitage comes weeks after Sorrento also lost seamer Chris King to Boneo.
Wilson said Sorrento had other bowling options, including coach Liam O’Connor and the emerging James Rulach.
“We’re going to have pretty much the same bowling attack as last year,’’ he said.
“We’ll be right.
“We’ve still got Liam who hardly bowled last year. He’s good enough. And young Jim Rulach.’’
Sorrento was awarded the 2019-20 Provincial premiership after finishing on top of the ladder and winning a semi-final. The Sharks were to meet Mt Eliza in the grand final before it was cancelled because of coronavirus.
Several Provincial sides have recruited well in the off-season.
Perennial finalists Peninsula Old Boys will field a power-laden side after securing Mt Eliza batting star Justin Grant and Mt Martha fast bowler Rhys Whitling.
Langwarrin will have a dynamic edge after signing former Victorian paceman Jayde Herrick as well as VTCA star Cameron Sharpe.
A new-look Baxter will be skippered by Heatherhill premiership captain Sam Mullavey, while ex-Sorrento and Tootgarook fast bowler Adeel Hussain will coach.
Mt Eliza has welcomed back premiership keeper-batsman Ben Tracy, star paceman Shaun Knott and possibly promising batsman Josh Goudge.
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