Hoppers Crossing aspirations boosted by ‘off the street’ signings

Hoppers Crossing has boosted its finals hopes this season with five new signings including two who “rolled up off the street.”

Hoppers Crossing will be aiming for a place in the Sub-District finals for the first time in six years under new coach Simon Lambert.

The Hoppers last made finals in season 2015-16 when it finished in fifth position.

Ahead of this season, the Hoppers have boosted its list with the signing of five new players including two who moved into the area and turned up in pre-season.

Gurpreet Singh and Ed Common are their names and coach Lambert was impressed.

“Those two were really handy pick ups considering they just rolled up off the street,” Lambert said.

Gurpreet Singh scored 89 runs for Torquay last season in the Battle of the Bridge match. Picture: Alison Wynd

Singh, an all-rounder who bowls spin, joined the club after previously playing for Manifold Heights in Geelong.

Lambert said Singh was an exciting player to watch.

“He bats with some real flare so I think he is one to watch out for,” he said.

“I expect him to put in a really strong showing for us so I’m looking forward to seeing him in action.”

Lambert was shocked when he saw him during his first net session.

“Literally showed up at training,” he said.

“He moved into the area and just showed up to training.

“I just saw him bowl and was pretty impressed with how he bowled and batted, and I was like ‘geez where did this bloke come from.’

“So I have been pretty impressed by what he has had to show so far.”

Hoppers Crossing recruits Ed Common and Alex Bone (Picture: Supplied)

Lambert said Common, a fast bowler, also turned up and would be another player likely to start in the firsts.

“Another bloke that rolled up off the street, he will probably open the bowling for us,” he said.

“He has been a handy pick up, he can also hold the willow down the order.”

The Hoppers have also recruited former Sussex and Hampshire county wicketkeeper-bat Alex Bone who is also the club’s new fielding and fitness coach.

Lambert was pleased to have Bone, a qualified personal trainer, as the club looks to mirror a premier cricket standard of training.

“He has been a terrific asset to the club so far,” he said.

“He is going to add further depth to the ones having played at the level before.”

The Hoppers have also landed former Indian first class batsman Shijit Chandran who will add value to their top order.

Simon Lambert also joins the Hoppers this season as a player-coach having previously been a leading run scorer in the VTCA premier competition playing for St Albans.

Lambert said the pre-season has been terrific.

“We have had 70 blokes turn up over the past six weeks,” he said.

“The energy has been really good, high numbers and plenty of enthusiasm around the group to have success this year.

“Everyone has been training hard, with high intensity and the standard’s been good across the board.”

Lambert originally from York, England played county cricket for Warwickshire and has played in Australia for several seasons since then.

He made an unbeaten 80 against the Australian Aboriginal cricket team featuring Dan Christian, Scott Baland and Darcy Short.