Premier Cricket: Melbourne University locks in new leaders

The Students have a new coach, a new captain and a bunch of recruits for the 2021-22 Premier Cricket season.

Fergus McKenna has been appointed captain of Melbourne University.

A new coach, a new captain and new players make up the news from Premier Cricket club Melbourne University.

The Students have appointed first-class paceman Simon Mackin as head coach to replace Antony Keely, who stood down because of work pressures.

Keely is staying on as director of cricket. That’s no surprise; he’s been with the club since 2002-03.

Mackin, 28, joined Uni last season when he crossed from WA and Keely said he had made a great impression.

“When we signed him, the piece was around him being able to help drive the club forward,’’ Keely said.

“It’s fallen into place nicely for us on that front.

“He’s just a great, positive, calming influence on everyone who’s around him. When you meet him you feel like you’ve known him for years. His impact goes far beyond what he does on the cricket field. We’re bloody lucky to have him.’’

Simon Mackin bowling for Melbourne University last season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The paceman took 18 wickets at 23.2 last season, and also played one Shield match for Victoria.

Keely said Mackin had aspirations to play more games for the Vics and add to this tally of 32 Shield matches.

Dan Hutton has moved up to be a senior assistant coach, alongside longstanding assistant Anthony McQuire, the former Canberra Comets opener.

Up-and-coming batsman Fergus McKenna, who made his First XI debut in 2018-19, has replaced James McNeil as captain.

McNeil has relocating to Queensland for work and family reasons, and is one of four senior men to have moved on since the end of last season,

Champion paceman Steve Reid, opener Jarrod Martignago and all-rounder Liam Scammell have also retired from Premier Cricket, calling time on worthy careers.

Scammell has moved back to Albury.

“It is a big chunk, but it’s good to get a bit of churn sometimes as well and expose some of your young players who you reckon are good and have been waiting for a chance,’’ Keely said.

“There are always silver linings. I’m sure everyone would say the same if they lost a few players. But it’s very hard to replace any of those guys: a captain (McNeil), a premier fast bowler (Reid), a premier all-rounder (Scammell), a wicketkeeper (Martignago).’’

Peter Hatzoglou, who took a star turn with his brisk leggies in last season’s Big Bash League, has returned from Adelaide.

Recruits include Yarraville Sub-District batsman Josh Hahnel; Harrison Barnes, a batsman and part-time spinner from Frankston Peninsula; and former NSW Under 19 fast bowler Will Rogers.

Rogers arrived in Melbourne earlier in the year and played Grade Cricket for Gordon.

And Uni is hoping to regain ace Alex Gregory, who didn’t play last season owing to work demands (he’s a finance banker).

“He’ll make a big difference,’’ Keely said. “He’s a star.’’

He said the club was also looking to push up a batch of young players, including top-order batsmen Andrew Young and Mitch Domann, spinner Doug Warren, wicketkeeper Noah Croes, middle-order batsman and seamer Nick Ritchie and spin-bowling all-rounder Ben Rolfs.

“We’re hoping they can take big strides,’’ Keely said.

“We feel like we’ve got all the necessary pieces of the puzzle and allowing them to grow together.’’