Casey Cardinia cricket: Merinda Park appoints Mathew Campbell and signs five recruits

The Cobras’ new coach has outlined plans for a big 2023-24 season, with five recruits, new surroundings and a steely focus.

Merinda Park captain-coach Mathew Campbell (left) with recruit Bevin Corneille. Picture: Facebook

Winds of change are about to sweep through Merinda Park Cricket Club if new captain-coach Mathew Campbell has his way.

The Cobras have been on the outskirts of the Casey Cardinia finals in recent years, more making up numbers than being a contender.

Like all new coaches, Campbell has energy and ambition — and he’s aiming to change people’s perception of Merinda Park.

“I’m a straight shooter and the way I saw it for the past couple of years…no one really feared what we could do, no one really feared any player that we had in our side,” Campbell said.

“The message that went through the whole league, we weren’t feared, no one was worried about us.

“And my message to the playing group this year is every single side will be worried about us, they’ll be talking about us.’’

Campbell added: “We won’t be pushovers anymore.”

Mathew Campbell.

Sasindu Perera has re-signed with Merinda Park.

Campbell has worked hard on recruiting, signing five players — “role players with good attitudes, family morals and blokes who want to be around the cricket club”.

The newcomers are: all-rounder Rumesh Ranasinghe, opening bat Tharindu Siriwardene, Dingley all-rounder Bevin Corneille, Parkmore batsman Jude Johnstone and keeper-batsman Adam Fisher, who has been playing in the UK in recent years.

“All their contracts have the same thing in them,’’ Cambpell said.

“They are required at training two nights a week, they are required back at the cricket club and they’re not allowed to miss club functions. It’s been well received so far.’’

Merinda Park has also re-signed club champion Sasindu Perera for the next two seasons.

Merinda Park will celebrate its 40th anniversary during the 2023-24 season.

And the club will relocate to new facilities at Lochaven Recreation Reserve in Cranbourne West, an important step towards a bright future.

Campbell has played in premierships at Moorabbin Park and Mordialloc, and been part of Langwarrin’s successful period in the MPCA in the past decade.

He wants the Cobras to experience the same satisfaction and enjoyment that comes with being successful.

“A lot of older heads in the club feel like we have been going around in circles for the past 10 years, so basically my message to them was that we’re moving to a new facility and it’s the perfect opportunity to start our own dynasty for the next decade, or two decades, or whatever it may be,” he said.