Northcote secured two key additions over the Christmas break but one has been struck down by injury
Northcote’s Premier Cricket premiership campaign got a boost over the Christmas break with two handy additions but one has been struck down by injury in his second game.
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Northcote’s plans to bolster its Premier Cricket premiership push have hit a snag.
The Dragons welcomed former Zimbabwean Test batsman Solomon Mire and Ben Abbatangelo back after the Christmas break.
However, there was bad news for Mire as he injured his hamstring while fielding in the club’s six-wicket loss to St Kilda in Round 11.
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“He looks to be out for a few weeks, which isn’t ideal. We had planned to ease him back in, but unfortunately he got injured,” Northcote coach Steve Taylor said.
“We kept the conversation open and he’s always been a part of our club, he was there every week in his coaching role.
“The timing felt right and he felt refreshed (after Christmas) but unfortunately this injury popped up.”
Mire had made scores of two and four after returning from time off to focus on his coaching. He stepped away from cricket after being appointed academy and coaching strategy director at Bundoora’s Cutting Edge Cricket.
Abbatangelo’s return from NSW Premier Cricket has been far smoother.
The middle-order batsman top-scored against the Saints with a well-made 41 before backing up the next day against Carlton in the Vic Super Slam conference final with a team-high 20 from 18 deliveries.
In four First XI matches for Randwick-Petersham, Abbatangelo scored 120 runs with a high score of 76 not out, as well as 128 runs in five T20s with a high score of 75.
“Ben would have played for five or six seasons at the Dragons before moving up to Sydney,” Taylor said.
“It’s been great to have him back among the group, a real injection of energy as Benny is.”
Despite the loss to St Kilda, Northcote remained in fourth position on the Premier Cricket ladder ahead of a Round 12 clash with Casey-South Melbourne, which started on Saturday (after deadline).
After the two-day tussle with the Swans, the Dragons face Essendon, Melbourne University and Kingston Hawthorn in the run home.
Taylor said the club would need to rediscover its best to cement a return to finals.
“We found a real style of cricket before Christmas, found a blueprint that works,” he said.
“Those guys (Mire and Abbatangelo) will fit into that.”