‘He’ll whack them’: International recruits land at Ormond ahead of VSDCA season

Ormond has added a string of overseas players, including a Twenty20 International batter, as it blasts into the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season.

Clement Tommy (left) playing for Vanuatu. He will line-up with Ormond in the VSDCA this season. Photo: Warren Lynam / Sunshine Coast Daily

An influx of English players is set to add a new dynamic to Ormond in the Victorian Sub-Cricket District Association this season.

“Some of them will be in our ones, others will be boosting the depth of the club which will be great,’’ Ormond’s new coach James Barthomoleusz said.

Jamie Price, a batsman from the Middlesex Premier league, will slot into the Monders’ middle order.

Amaan Broughton will also bolster Ormond’s batting; he played alongside Victorian batsman Tom Rogers in Edgworth Cricket Club’s premiership in the UK summer.

Ormond has also signed Vanuatu international wicketkeeper-batsman Clement Tommy. He will be an ideal replacement for Monders keeper and captain Tom Cameron, who has moved to Gippsland.

“He should slot in nicely for Tom (Cameron) with the gloves and hopefully whack them up the top order,’’ Barthomoleusz said.

James Bartholomeusz of Ormond bats during the VSDCA match against Moorabbin last season. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Ormond was hoping to secure another overseas recruit; a player from United Arab Emirates.

“That would be pretty big for the club if that got over the line,’’ Barthomoleusz said.

The Monders powered into the grand final last season. But a few months later they were parting ways with the men who steered them there, captain Tom Cameron, who has moved to Gippsland, and coach Sam Kindlen, who has retired.

Also, star opening batsman Rory Freeman, who made 123 in the semi-final last season, has gone to Doutta Stars in the North West Metropolitan association, and leading bowlers Tom Buchanan and Nigel Hunt aren’t playing. Their absence will be felt, although there is still plenty of talent and depth at Ormond.

“We’ve got a massive influx of young kids coming through, we’re really excited about that,’’ Barthomoleusz said.

“We’ve got five other English players filling the twos and three so the depth is going to be really strong this year.’’

Ormond’s star all-rounder Bailey Moon is set to go to another level this season.

“He had his first full season in about three years,’’ Barthomoleusz said.

“Towards the end of the year he started to get going. He could be one of the best players in the competition in my opinion.’’

The overseas recruits are expected to take their place in Ormond’s side for the season-opener against Malvern at EE Gunn Reserve on Saturday.

ORMOND

Last year: Runners-up (12-6)

Leading run-scorer: Zac Sleeman (630 at 37.06)

Leading wicket-taker: Tom Buchanan (39 at 16.33)

In: Amaan Broughton (Edgworth, UK), Clement Tommy (Vanuatu), Jamie Price (UK)

Out: Tom Cameron (Gippsland), Rory Freeman (Doutta Stars), Tom Buchanan