Kew welcomes back UK import, ready to trust in depth in new VSDCA season
Kew will trust in its depth this season but has been bolstered by the return of a gun UK import with First Class and county T20 experience.
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A familiar face has return to boost Kew ahead of the new VSDCA season.
UK import Sam Pearce is back at Victoria Park having previously represented the Blues in 2016-17.
The Welsh all-rounder is a welcome addition after several key players departed in the off-season.
The 26-year has played for Glamorgan at T20 level, represented Wales and Cardiff MCCU and was part of the Subbies inter-league side in 2016.
Kew coach Seb Contos was excited to have Pearce back.
“Sammy has returned from Glamorgan, which is all very exciting for us,” Contos said.
“Hopefully the weather holds off and we see him in action this weekend.
“He’s a leg-spinning all-rounder, he was contracted with Glamorgan with a couple of years and played with us about seven years when Justin Graham was coach.
“He’s a gun in the field and awesome bloke off the field and he’s looking to come down and enjoy a summer of Oz.
“We’ll probably bat him in the middle order, he’ll hopefully see us through those longer 80-over days.
“He’s pretty versatile, he gives us a good chance to use him in different ways, and while he specialises in white-ball cricket he’s prone to playing some big innings as well.”
Pearce will be joined by fellow UK import George Lloyd from Oxford.
Kew has lost several key players, including former captains Matt Brown and Chris Weeks and Team of the Year paceman Will Sist.
After falling in the semi-final last season the club is looking to rebuild through its junior talent.
Led by club great David Wildsmith, Kew will elevate the likes of third-ranked Second XI run-scorer Jack Stewart, James Clarke, Jack Carroll and his namesake Jack Carroll and Luke Adams.
Contos is confident the club’s depth of talent will still make it competitive.
“This season isn’t as much about bringing players in, it’s more about using the players we’ve got and particularly bringing the juniors through the ranks,” he said.
“The First XI is looking good, we’ve got an even spread and guys will be stepping up into bigger roles this year, which is good reward.
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“We’ve got plenty of bowling options and batting right down to the tail.
“Jack Stewart will be opening the batting, James Clark will be playing a big role in the middle order and Liam Powell will be batting higher as well – he’s out wicketkeeper-bat.
“Jack Carroll is a spinner and our other Jack Carroll is a bowling all-rounder, we’re looking at Torren Arthur who’s a young gun quick and bat and Luke Adams has returned from a summer in the UK.”
Kew kicks off its campaign, weather permitting, with a two-day match against Hoppers Crossing at Victoria Park.
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