Mt Martha boosts its squad ahead of MPCA Sub District season

Mt Martha has added a touch of class after recruiting an RM Hatch medallist and regaining a former Victorian junior cricket captain for the MPCA Sub District season.

Barry Ensil batting for Oakleigh. He will bat in the top four for Mt Martha.

Mt Martha has added a touch of class after recruiting 2002-03 RM Hatch medallist Barry Ensil.

The former Fitzroy-Doncaster, Bayswater and Oakleigh all-rounder joins the Reds after being out of cricket for a few years.

But the 44-year-old showed he had lost none of his run-making ability by peeling off 70 in an intra club practice match last week.

Mt Martha captain-coach Simon Street said Ensil would bat in the top four for Mt Martha and bowl leg-spin.

“He’s still getting back into it but he’s done a pretty good pre-season, he’s been to most sessions,’’ he said.

“Give him a couple of games and I’m sure he will be right back into it.’’

Ensil has had success as a leg-spinner.

Ensil played 50 First XI games for Fitzroy-Doncaster before joining Bayswater and winning the Hatch Medal for the best player in Victorian Sub District competition.

“He’s a really good mate of mine and we’ve been working on him for a couple of years to get down there and we’re lucky enough to get him this year,’’ Street said.

“I think he’s still got some really good cricket in him, he’s actually a really good leg spin bowler. He’s got a lot of five-fors…he used to be able to bowl mediums and then come on and bowl leg spin.

“I think after Christmas we might look at him bowling a bit more as the body gets a bit stronger and he’s used to being back playing cricket.’’

Mt Martha has also been boosted by the return of talented batsman Jake Smart, son of assistant coach Jason Smart.

“He captained Vic under 15s and then just gave it away,’’ Street said.

“He’s a gun player, a very, very good bat and he’ll be good for us. Again, he will bat in the top four. He’s also looked very solid in the praccy games.’’

Steve O’Neil has also returned to the Reds and is likely to open the bowling, along with Max McKenzie.

Curtis Stone is playing — but not this week — and he will add to the bowling attack.

“We’re not that sort of team to blast out a side this year,’’ Street said.

“We will try and contain, build pressure and get them to make mistakes.’’

Mt Martha drops back to Sub District after being relegated from District last season, despite beating eventual premiers Seaford Tigers.

The Reds face Tootgarook in the opening round on Saturday.

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