Hoppers Crossing signs Ajay Bhatt for 2021-22 VSDCA season

An experienced leader who once took 9-11 in a VSDCA fixture has signed on with the Cats for 2021-22, while the club has also added an assistant coach.

Hoppers Crossing recruit Ajay Bhatt at the crease for Carnegie. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Hoppers Crossing has secured star all-rounder Ajay Bhatt in a boost to the club’s hopes of climbing the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association ladder.

The Cats, who have not contested finals since 2015-16, were the beneficiary of Bhatt’s decision to move to the western suburbs.

The top-order batsman and swing bowler arrives at Hoppers Crossing after three seasons as captain-coach at Cricket Southern Bayside outfit Carnegie, where he contributed 929 runs and 25 wickets.

Bhatt, who is a level 2 qualified coach, has been locked in as batting coach, while Craig Swan has returned as a non-playing assistant after a stint at Altona.

“He (Bhatt) lives in the eastern suburbs at the moment and is moving to the area. He gave us a call, and it went from there,” Hoppers Crossing president Jake Porter said.

“We’re excited to get him on board and adding a couple of level 2 coaches in him and Craig is going to be really helpful and beneficial.”

Bhatt famously claimed 9-11 for Malvern, where he is a two-time premiership player, in a match in 2009-10.

He has also taken the field for Camberwell Magpies and Prahran in Premier Cricket.

Bhatt contributed a ton and six half-centuries for Carnegie and proved a consistent wicket-taker.

“It’s good to have someone who adds a bit of depth in both areas,” Porter said.

“He’s also a senior player, been around a while and been the captain-coach of a club. Adding a little bit of experience is always useful, which will hopefully help guide some of our younger guys in the First XI, but also in the lower grades with his batting coach role.

“He probably doesn’t bowl as much as he used to. I think he’s focused on his batting the past few years.

“But I think he’s one of those guys that will be able to take some key wickets here and there when you throw him the ball.

The Cats have retained Anthony Williams as head coach and Stephen Frenkel as director of coaching.

“We’re still looking to add to those appointments and are actively out there trying to improve the club,” Porter said.

Opener Cameron Nicol is the only departure of note.