St Bernard’s appoints former Premier Cricket paceman as captain-coach

Subbies outfit St Bernard’s has a new coach for 2021-22 with former Greenvale Kangaroos Premier Cricket captain Kyle Adams signing on.

St Bernard's president Brendan Davey with new captain-coach Kyle Adams.

St Bernard’s will boast one of the most potent attacks in the VSDCA next season after securing Kyle Adams as captain-coach.

The former Premier Cricket paceman takes over the coaching reins from Nigel Freebairn and captaincy from Luke Davis at Murphy Oval.

Adams, Davis and spearhead Aaron Smillie will form a fearsome pace trio.

Adams retired from Premier Cricket after the 2019-20 season, stepping back to captain-coach Greenvale Kangaroos’ VTCA First XI where he collected 20 wickets at an average of 13.50 and hit 198 runs at 33.

He played 96 Premier First XI games for Greenvale, scoring 1199 runs and claiming 130 wickets.

St Bernard’s president Brendan Davey was rapt to have a person of Adams’ calibre come on board.

“He played in the VTCA this season and that speaks to his clubman attributes,” he said.

“He unselfishly took a step back from Premier to take on the captain-coach role – and they did really well to reach a semi-final – and to do that speaks volumes.

“That’s one thing we’re big on at the moment, building our cricket IQ.

“We brought in Aaron Smillie two seasons ago, Geoff Kiker and James Lowrie who were Balwyn stalwarts have done wonders for our club and at the top of our list was someone who could add to our IQ and Kyle fits that bill perfectly.”

After finishing fourth in 2019-20 the Snowdogs were bitterly disappointed to miss finals in the North-West conference this season.

Davey believes adding Adams’ experience will help improve the First XI’s in-game focus.

In a further boost, Davis will remain with the Snowdogs after handing over the captaincy role.

Kyle Adams in action for Greenvale Kangaroos. Picture: Arj Giese

The club great made his 250th appearance for St Bernard’s this season and jumped to third on the all-time wicket-takers list.

Davey paid tribute to Davis and Freebairn for their dedication.

“Luke has stepped down after six seasons as captain, he’s one of our longest serving First XI captains, and just a true clubman,” Davey said.

“Luke’s ability to better the whole club is something you don’t often see in the First XI role and Kyle has some big shoes to fill there.

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“He’s definitely hanging around and as hungry as anyone to taste First XI success, which is great for our club and great for Kyle to have a mature ear to lean on.

“We found out early in February that Nigel wasn’t going to go on, his work commitments meant that he wasn’t able to continue.

“Nigel was one of the first people to get in touch and congratulate the club on the appointment, which shows his character.

“He has been fantastic for the club and now Kyle has the opportunity to continue his work.”