Victorian Premier Cricket: Melbourne ‘’even hungrier’’ ahead of 2023-24 season

Six months on from winning the Victorian Premier Cricket flag, the Demons are set to unleash a fresh batch of young guns in 2023-24.

Some of Melbourne’s rising stars.

In an ominous warning to rival clubs, Melbourne coach Ben Vague says his club’s premiership side has “more upside” in season 2023-24.

The Demons won last season’s Victorian Premier Cricket flag and have added Western Australian paceman David Moody in the off-season.

“It’s hard to say we’ll be better than last year but I think we’ve got more upside,” Vague said.

“I feel like we’ve got a lot of people with improvement in them so I feel like we’ve only got upside from what we did last year.”

Melbourne’s only departure is paceman Kieran Elliott, who has gone to Tasmania for more opportunities hopefully in first-class cricket.

“It’s great for him, a big loss for us, given that he’s such an admired and respected player in our playing group,” Vague said.

Vague said Moody, who has played 38 first-class matches, had slotted in seamlessly at Melbourne.

“He brings really good experience at first-class level,” Vague said.

“He’s an incredible character and person, he hasn’t missed a training session, he heads down to our girls training sessions and helps them out.

“He’s probably looked really sharp in the practice games that we’ve had as well.

“A great acquisition for sure.”

Several of Melbourne’s young players received offers from rival clubs over winter; Xander Buxton, Darcy Munro and Wilson McGillivray among them.

“But everyone’s stuck true and stuck with the club which is great,” Vague said.

In a key appointment, Demons premiership leg-spinner Kyle Williamson has been named captain of the second XI this season.

“We’ve got some great kids who are ready for the next opportunity and Kyle has made the admirable decision to step aside,” Vague said.

“Kyle is ready to enter the next phase of his cricket career which is coaching and leadership. It’s great. I couldn’t think of a better second XI captain.”

Jack Harper.

Blake Thomson.

Vague said his players remained hungry for more success.

“Obviously you win the premiership last year and you feel like you’ve accomplished what you want to but it’s not the case,” Vague said.

“I think the group, they’re even hungrier.

“It’s really pleasing and I haven’t had to shake them and say, ‘boys get your head out of your arse’, or anything like that.

“The standard of training...and when we’ve gone away on a camp, the brutality they’ve put themselves through to want to get better, I’m pretty proud of the group I’ve got.”

Blake Thompson, 25, will captain the Demons again, with Jack Harper stepping up as vice-captain.

“Jack Harper has probably had the best pre season I’ve seen someone have,’’ Vague said.

“Like the way he’s hitting the ball he just looks a class above.’’

Charles Lill and Glenn Hannah, after break-out seasons, will be key players again.

And the hugely talented Jack Prestwidge is raring to.

Zane Keighran of Melbourne. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Melbourne is bursting with young talent, including:

Harkirat Bajwa — Played Australian U19s and is ready to take the number one spinning option and is probably only a few games away from breaking into the Victorian team. So he will get an opportunity.

Tom Wrigglesworth — Another who will get an opportunity, he played ones last season.

Xander Buxton — An exciting talent, the keeper-batsman will be looking to continue to develop this season.

Zane Keighran — Was a revelation last season, scoring 430 runs at 35.8 from 12 matches, including the grand final win.

Christian Howe — A highly rated all-rounder; bowls left arm fast medium and bats well. In the pathway system.

Darcy Munro — The fast bowler made his First XI debut at Mont Albert at the age of 14 ahead of his inclusion in state under-age squads. Described as a “pure athlete’’.