After a blockbuster off-season, Kew isn’t feeling any added pressure

After a strong showing last season and blockbuster recruiting spree over the off-season, Kew has rocketed into Subbies premiership contention but isn’t feeling any added pressure.

Chris Weeks in action for Kew. Picture: Hamish Blair

Kew captain-coach Chris Weeks isn’t feeling any added pressure after the VSDCA club’s blockbuster off-season recruitment drive.

Former Australia international John Hastings and former Victoria all-rounder Will Sheridan have signed on while former Melbourne First XI captain Matt Brown has returned.

The additions have Kew firmly in premiership contention in the Subbies North-West conference after winning a final and finishing third last season against the South group.

“I think being where we’ve been, the expectations are always there, regardless of the guys that have come in,” Weeks said.

“To have guys of that calibre want to come and play for the club, it’s a testament to the club and committee.

Matthew Brown in action for Melbourne. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Will Sheridan in action Yarraville Club.

“We had a bitter end to last year, a poor batting performance in the final against Caulfield.

“As a team, I know it’s changed a little bit, but the core is still there and everyone is really hungry to go further this year.”

Hastings played one Third XI match and a T20 for Kew last season, while Sheridan arrives from VTCA powerhouse Yarraville Club.

Brown returns after a glittering 12-year career in Melbourne’s Premier Cricket First XI that netted almost 5000 runs.

Ollie Birts is the only major departure from the team that still boasts VSDCA Team of the Year member Tom Chalkley and top-10 run-scorer Andrew Chalkley and wicket-taker Alistair Burge.

Tom Chalkley claimed nine wickets in Kew’s two finals and 31 for the season while Burge finished with 25.

Andrew Chalkley knocked in the ninth most runs in the home-and-away season and finished the campaign with 570 runs at an average of 40.71.

Weeks said there would be some pleasant selection headaches this season with several youngsters and returning players also pushing for spots.

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“It’s going to be very competitive for spots in the First XI,” he said.

“Lucas Agnoletto, he got a hundred in the ones a couple of years ago against Croyden, he’s come back with one of his mates Jack Carroll, who has played a couple of games in the ones as well.

“We’ve got another Jack Carroll as well, who had an outstanding back end of the season in the twos, he took a seven-for and five-for in the finals.”

Kew begins its season at home against Plenty Valley on Saturday.