Premier Cricket 2019-20: Camberwell Magpies sign three new recruits

Camberwell Magpies have improved their batting depth with three top-line recruits for 2019-20.

Camberwell recruits Akshay Kodoth, Alex Smith and Isaac Conway. Picture Norm Oorloff

Camberwell Magpies will be armed with three new recruits this Premier Cricket season as they look to challenge for a deep finals campaign.

Isaac Conway, Akshay Kodoth and Alec Smith will each provide a boost to Camberwell’s batting stocks as it attempts to build on last season’s elimination final appearance.

But the Magpies will be without pace bowler Dylan Hodge and Lewis McManus, who is remaining in the UK.

Hodge will play with mates with Geelong association club Newtown & Chilwell.

Dylan Hodge bends his back for Camberwell. Picture: Hamish Blair

Wicketkeeper Conway has joined Camberwell from Essendon, where he hit 501 runs in the previous two seasons, but has had limited opportunities behind the Bombers’ crack top-order.

He also enjoyed an excellent winter in the Northern Territory, where he smashed 637 runs in 15 innings, including two tons and five half-centuries, for Waratah.

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“He’s looking to try and play as high as he possibly can,” Camberwell coach Brad Loveluck said.

“That was probably the conversation we had — he’s really looking for opportunity.

“We’re pretty adaptable as a squad and we’re open to providing opportunities to help players play at the next level because we believe that’s our job.”

Isaac Conway sends the ball to the boundary. Picture: Hamish Blair

Smith was one of Clarence’s leading runscorers in the Tasmanian Premier League last season, logging 413 runs at an average of 34.4.

He will also provide a spin option with his leg breaks.

“Alec had been training with the club for the past two seasons while doing uni in Melbourne and also going home to play in Tasmania,” Loveluck said.

“He decided this year he’d like to stay in Melbourne and challenge himself — play Grade cricket over here and it probably suited his lifestyle.”

Alec Smith rolls the arm over for Clarence. Picture: Matthew Farrell

Kodoth, who played 18 First Class games in India between 2011 and 2015, topped Kingston Hawthorn’s runs chart with 419 last season.

He also cracked 563 runs at VSDCA club Ivanhoe in 2017-18.

“He’s an exciting batsman … he basically wanted to come to Camberwell and I think the attraction for him was to challenge himself in our environment,” Loveluck said.

Loveluck, in his second season at Camberwell, said it was a better list than the one he inherited when he took on the role.

Camberwell three new recruits ahead of the new season. Picture Norm Oorloff

Andrew Fekete will remain as captain, while young quicks Chris Bridle and Kieren Jamieson will be given opportunities in the top grade.

“We’ve added three talented players and added to our batting depth, which is something that excites us,” he said.

“We’ve obviously got a strong list and, as we saw last year, the competition is really tight.

“We’re just hungry to get out there and get into the season.”