MPCA 2020-21: Bulldogs to be captained by Kurt Nestor
Could Mornington have an ace up its sleeve this season? Talk of a champion batsman returning grows louder. And the Bulldogs will go into the MPCA season with a new captain.
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Mornington could receive a mighty mid-season boost, with champion batsman Ben Clements likely to play after Christmas.
The 30–year-old is living in Queensland but will be back to visit family over the New Year period.
There is talk of him playing the second half of the season, including finals — if the Bulldogs were to make them.
“There are those whispers floating around,’’ Mornington coach Darren Berry said.
“I can tell you he’s not returning because he lives up north but we will see if we can slip him in for enough games — we might play him against Langwarrin, Baxter and a few of the sides.
“Nothing confirmed. No, we haven’t done a deal with him or anything like that and he’s not returning because he lives up north.
“But he does come down a fair bit and he loves Mornington and he wants to play, so there’s an ace up our sleeve.’’
Berry added: “If I was a betting man he might play five or six to qualify.’’
When Clements last played for Mornington in 2018-19, he topped the MPCA Provincial run chart with 869 runs, at 72.42, and won the Wedgwood Medal (along with teammate Matt Foon).
The news is a lifter for Mornington, which will go into the new season with a new-look side led by a new captain.
Foon has relinquished the captaincy, replaced by all-rounder Kurt Nestor.
Berry said the change was at the request of Foon, who is living in Melbourne.
“It’s Foony’s choice,’’ Berry said.
“He said it’s time for a different voice and the unanimous vote was we’re going to give Kurt a shot.’’
Foon will continue to open the batting and bowling for the Bulldogs.
“He’s looking forward to it, just to play and not have the captaincy…rock up Thursday night and then go out and whack ‘em on the weekend,’’ Berry said.
Berry said Nestor is a “great story’’, having worked hard to establish himself as a First XI player.
“He was a seconds cricketer struggling two years ago, but he’s got himself fit and he was our most improved player last year,’’ he said.
“I sat down and chatted to him and he said he’d love to take it on.’’
Mornington’s young pace bowlers will need to step up to fill the void left by Michael Heib’s retirement.
The ever-reliable paceman took over 200 wickets in the past seven seasons.
Former Frankston VFL footballer Shane Hockey will kick start his cricket career with Mornington, and Berry has high hopes for him.
“I’ve been training with him the last month, having a hit with him, and mate he whacks it and he bowls mediums, a heavy ball,’’ he said.
“And all the boys said he’s a gun fielder.
“I’m confident he will be a handy acquisition.’’
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