All the ins and outs and analysis of every GDCA McIntyre Shield club

The Gisborne District Cricket Association is set up for an exciting McIntyre Shield season with several clubs looming as premiership contenders. Check out all the ins and outs here.

The GDCA's 2020-21 season preview.

The Gisborne and District McIntyre Shield premiership race is wide open.

With a season full of one-day matches a couple of surprise results could swing the entire campaign.

Reigning premier Gisborne will be determined to defend its crown but the likes of Bacchus Marsh, Diggers Rest Bulla and Sunbury United will put up a strong challenge and don’t rule out Romsey, Woodend and East Sunbury.

Check out all the major ins and outs ahead of the 2020-21 season and analysis of every club.

Sam Mackay in action for Gisborne. Picture: Andy Brownbill

GISBORNE

Captain: Jason Wilson

Coach: Gavin McKay

Last season: Premier (14-1-0)

Ins: Pat McKenna

Outs: Jarryd Vernon, Riley Vernon, Luke Macumber

We say: The Dragons were almost perfect last season, dropping points just once thanks to a draw. There’s no doubt the loss of the Vernon brothers and Luke Macumber is a major blow but the club still has match-winners on both sides of the ball and has gained Pat McKenna on a more permanent basis. The former Australia under-19 cricket captain has been in good touch during the regional practice matches with a pair of 40s. Reigning Sullivan Medallist Mick Allen will be critical to the club’s hopes of defending its crown after cracking 627 runs and claiming 22 wickets. Expect Gisborne to feature on grand final day, as it has done for the past two seasons.

DIGGERS REST BULLA

Captain: Rhys Berry

Coach: Rhys Berry

Last season: 2nd (9-4-2)

Ins: Darren Quarrell, Ryan Peters, Marcus Ciunik

Outs: Rasika Batepola, Indika Massalage, Upul Fernando

We say: The Burras have lost three big names from the team that reached the McIntyre Shield grand final last season but remain a force to be reckoned with. Captain-coach Berry has lauded returning paceman Darren Quarrell as one of the best bowlers in the competition and expects Ryan Peters to play a crucial role at No. 3 in the batting order. The run-scoring responsibilities will now fall on Raveen Yasas and Kevin Barker who scored 467 and 350 runs respectively last season while Berry and Dammika Perera were both top-five wicket-takers. Anything other than a semi-final would be a failure for Diggers this season and internally they’ll be wanting to go one step further.

Dilan Chandima will return to Sunbury United in 2020-21. Picture: Andy Brownbill

SUNBURY UNITED

Captain: Upul Fernando

Coach: Upul Fernando

Last season: 3rd (7-4-4)

Ins: Yasith de Silva, Rajitha Mendis, Amrit Sandhu, Josh Wallace, Leif Louwen-Skovdam, James Hughes, Phil Allen

Outs: Adam Dudderidge, Tom Balmer, Will Pomorin, Mark Koutroubas, Dinuska Malan, Austin Young

We say: There’s been a massive turnover of personnel at the Bees this off-season after a semi-final appearance. Star all-rounder Dilan Chandima is locked in for 2020-21. He had been set to join Avondale Height’s VTCA comeback but returned to when that fell flat and he’s brought Yasith de Silva and Rajitha Mendis with him. James Hughes’ return is also a massive win for United. The four-time premiership captain played one game in Division 1 last season but is set for a more permanent role. As is fellow premiership player Leif Louwen-Skovdam after a year off. While the loss of six players from last season’s semi-final is a blow the Bees have recovered strongly and remain a premiership contender.

BACCHUS MARSH

Captain: James Lidgett

Coach: James Lidgett

Last season: 4th (6-5-4)

Ins: Jarrad Taylor, Kieran Atkin, David Dickinson

Outs: Kasun Suriaratchie, Ben Robinson

We say: After falling to Gisborne in the semi-final last season the Bulls will be determined to reclaim their mantle as the GDCA’s top team. And any team with James Lidgett is a premiership contender. The star batsman topped the competition charts last season with 790 runs, 131 more than anyone else. However, Bacchus Marsh is not a one-trick pony. Ian Spiteri is one of the most dangerous bowlers in the competition and is able supported by James Bailey, while Mace Cousins and Scott Wakefield are capable batsmen. With five draws, the weather wasn’t kind to the Bulls either last season, and with the later season start and one-day format you can expect the club to be battling for top honours.

Alfie Miles in action for Romsey. Picture: Andy Brownbill

ROMSEY

Captain: Ben Way

Coach: Ben Way

Last season: 5th (4-3-7)

Ins: Jack Thorsen

Outs: –

We say: The Redbacks have held steady over the off-season trusting in their developing players to take them the next step. Romsey will be eyeing off a return to semi-final action in 2020-21 after missing the top four for the first time since 2016-17. Taylor Stevenson enjoyed a stellar season that netted 393 runs and 20 wickets and will be critical to the Redbacks achieving their goals. Fellow all-rounder Matthew Milne, skipper Ben Way and paceman Darin Jewell will also be key contributors. With a full season of one-day matches one upset win could swing the season, so expect Romsey to be locked in a season-long battle for that final semi-final spot.

WOODEND

Captain: Warren Else

Coach: Greg Matthews

Last season: 6th (3-4-7)

Ins: –

Outs: Adam Johnstone, Jack Thorsen

We say: Woodend will look to continue to develop their homegrown talent in 2020-21 but are expecting an improvement on last season’s results when it managed just three wins. Adam Johnstone’s move to Airport West in the VTCA is a blow but with Else and Matthews at the helm, the teams remains in good hands. The club will look to the likes of Josh Eastley, Jamie Pettigrew, Michael Nalesnyik and Brett Warner to increase their output if they are to contend for a spot in the semi-finals.

EAST SUNBURY

Captain: Liam Sherlock

Coach:

Last season: Johnstone Shield Premier (10-3-1)

Ins: Liam Williams, Josh Smiley, Tim Stephens

Outs: Josh Smith, Lachlan Brne, Brody Watts, Luke Shoesmith, Marcus Sewell

We say: The Thunder are in the McIntyre Shield for the first time in club history and determined to make an impact. East Sunbury claimed promotion after being awarded the Johnstone Shield premiership when last season’s grand final against Bacchus Marsh was cancelled. Steve Grey and Lance Watts will be key men with the bat after finishing 2019-20 in the competition’s top-10 run-scorers while Hammad Rashid was the No.1 wicket-taker in the Johnstone Shield.