Check out all the ins and outs and finals hopes for every GDCA McIntyre Cup club

After a big winter, the Gisborne District cricket season kicks off on Saturday. Check out all the ins and outs and finals hopes for every McIntyre Cup club.

Gisborne District Cricket Association season preview.

The long winter wait is over.

The Gisborne District Cricket Association returns to the field on Saturday.

McIntyre Cup clubs have been busy over the off-season bolstering their line-ups for a crack at reaching the semi-finals and unseating premier Gisborne.

A number of UK imports will take the field, as well as a West Indian and Sri Lankan recruit as the competition goes from strength to strength.

Check out all the ins and outs and finals hopes of every club below.

Gisborne celebrates its GDCA McIntyre Cup premiership win.

BROADFORD

Captain: Jack Connell

Coach: Gareth Sharp

Last season: Johnstone Shield premier, promoted

In: Sikander Sharma (Craigieburn), Samrat Sharma (Craigieburn)

Out: –

Prediction: The promotion winners will be confident they can cement themselves in the top flight after claiming the Johnstone Shield title in their first season in the association. If Broadford’s big guns can fire it will be hard to beat. The likes of leading run-scorer James Ingham, captain and leading wicket-taker Jack Connell and coach Gareth Sharp – fresh off an English summer – will be keys to the club’s success.

GISBORNE

Captain: Jarryd Vernon

Coach: Jarryd Vernon

Last season: Second (12-0, premier)

In: Josh Wills (Cumbria), Josh Brown (Cumbria), Sam Carroll

Out: Jay King (retired)

Prediction: Red-hot favourites to go back-to-back given the stability of the list, continued development of the club’s young talent and now the introduction of two UK imports, Josh Wills and Josh Brown. Riley Vernon smashed the 1000-run barrier last season, while Leigh Brennan led the attack with 23 wickets. The Dragons have almost the perfect mix of experience and youth.

MACEDON

Captain: Gary De Rosayro

Coach: –

Last season: Sixth (4-9)

In: Alex Browne (West Indies), Al Collins (returning), Matt Stonier (Bentleigh), Darcy Doyle (returning)

Out: Tim Burzins (work)

Prediction: The inclusion of big-hitting all-rounder Alex Browne is a massive boost to the Cats’ hopes of moving up the ladder in their second McIntyre Cup campaign. The 6’2 West Indian is a middle order bat and off-spin bowler and arrives from Thame Town in the UK. The club believes it is well suited to one-day cricket and confident it can contend for a semi-final spot. Leading run-scorer and wicket-taker Tim Berzins has stepped away due to work commitments in a blow to the club, which will hope the likes of Daniel Trotta and recruit Matt Stonier can step up from a batting point of view and Cam and Cadel Howlett can improve on their strong 2023-24 form.

ROMSEY

Captain: Ben Way

Coach: Ben Way

Last season: First (12-0, grand final)

In: –

Out: –

Prediction: The Redbacks were undefeated last season, until the grand final in a bitter blow. With the club retaining its list expect it to be around the mark again in 2024-25. Ben Way broke the 1000-run barrier last season and will be the key man with the bat, while the likes of Matt Milne, Chris Burkett and Corey Day provide strong support. Jamie Taylor was elite with the ball, snaring 30 wickets, while Chris Mariensfeld also enjoyed a strong campaign.

RUPERTSWOOD

Captain: Matt Twentyman

Coach: Matt Twentyman

Last season: Seventh (3-10)

In: Kevin Barker (Sunbury), Raees Alam (Sunbury United)

Out: Nathan Shoesmith (time off), Kyle Corcoran (Sunbury), Alex Bonds

Prediction: After winning two of its final five games and pushing Gisborne to the edge, the Sharks are looking to build on last season’s finish. The loss of captain-coach and leading run-scorer Nathan Shoesmith and leading wicket-taker Kyle Corcoran is a blow as he steps away from the game but the club is confident its playing group, after gaining First XI experience last season, can step up. The arrival of Kevin Barker from Sunbury is a boost. Max Howell and Joel Muir will be keys to success.

SUNBURY KANGAROOS

Captain: TBA

Coach: –

Last season: Fourth (6-7, semi-final)

In: –

Out: Graeme Bennett, Brad Fleming, Dylan Caruana, Josh Sorraghan, Justin Cleur, Matt Parker

Prediction: A tumultuous off-season saw a number of key players depart, while captain-coach Graeme Bennett stood down a week before Round 1. A disappointing post-script to a historic season that saw the club play McIntyre Cup semi-finals for the first time. Positively, leading run-scorers Jason King and Corey Woolley and wicket-takers Adam Fearnley and Michael Fox remain and will again be key contributors if the Kangaroos are to again challenge for a top-four finish.

SUNBURY UNITED

Captain: Damien Edwards

Coach: Fabian Fernando

Last season: Third (8-5, semi-final)

In: Pulindu Kiriella (Sri Lanka)

Out: Amrit Sandhu

Prediction: The Bees will be around the mark again, despite the loss of Amrit Sandhu. Damien Edwards takes on the captaincy this season, while Fabian Fernando comes in as coach. Edwards said the club was desperate to “build on how close Upul (Fernando) got us” and “get over line” this season. With the likes of league leading wicket-taker Senura Perera (40 wickets), Edwards, Fabian Fernando and Upul Fernando at the club and the arrival of Sri Lankan youngster Pulindu Kiriella, United is a serious challenger to Gisborne’s crown.

WOODEND

Captain: Marcus Stewart

Coach: Josh Eastley

Last season: Fifth (6-7)

In: Josh Eastley (Guildford), James Morley (returning), Joe Monk (UK), Harrison and Lachie Sheahan (Kyneton), Jock Braszell (Malmsbury)

Out: –

Prediction: Woodend only just missed out on a semi-final berth last year and has only gotten stronger over the winter. The arrival of Joe Monk from Shropshire club Oswestry is a significant boost. The paceman could be among the leading wicket-takers at the end of the season. Harry Lawson and skipper Marcus Stewart will once again lead the batting, while evergreen veteran Warren Else and Greg Matthews spearhead the bowling attack. Expecting a strong season.