VSDCA 2022-23: How key recruits will boost Box Hill

The Mustangs have been active recruiters this VSDCA off-season, with a swag of key names expected to lift the club in 2022-23 ...

BOX HILL will look to its swag of additions in its bid to climb the ladder this season.

The Subbies outfit has been active on the recruiting scene ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, spearheaded by the signing of Kingston Hawthorn’s Ashish Mathew.

The Premier all-rounder split his time between the Hawks’ First and Second XI in the past two campaigns. His 2021-22 season was highlighted by a haul of 4-53 against Prahran in the firsts.

Ashish Mathew bowling for Kingston Hawthorn. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The 26-year-old is joined by UK imports in keeper/batsman Brad Yates and spinner/batsman Cian Dickinson from Bradshaw in the Greater Manchester competition.

Yates, 25, returns to the Subbies scene having previously played with Mount Waverley five years ago, belting more than 800 runs and claiming 53 dismissals across two seasons.

Eighteen-year-old Dickinson is enjoying some campaign for Bradshaw, having driven almost 500 runs from 11 league matches to go with eight wickets.

Meanwhile 17-year-old batsman Tom Simmons has signed from East Box Hill in the BHRDCA, rejoining the Mustangs where he averaged 60 runs in the club’s 2020 Craig Shield team.

Box Hill coach Simon Cornelius believes the haul of recruits and a healthy list could help boost it from a three-win season in 2021-22.

The Mustangs missed a host of key names through injury last season – none more so than captain Tom Newman – but finished the season claiming the scalps of premier Kew and finalist Plenty Valley.

Off-spinner Muhammad Saeed also missed most of the season with a knee injury.

“It’s good for us to have that high level experience plus a couple of handy English guys coming across (and) we’ll hopefully have them here for round one,” Cornelius said.

“On top of that we’re looking for a bit more of an injury-free year I suppose.

“If we can keep everyone fit and on the track, we’re looking at a better position.

“It also gives us an opportunity to get the younger guys back in the twos and develop them rather than throwing them to the wolves I suppose.

“We’re pretty upbeat about the year and looking forward to being a lot more competitive this year after finishing last year well.”

The Mustangs look to have retained most of last year’s list so far. Picture: George Sal

Cornelius is confident the upcoming season will bring about support in the batting order with the new additions.

Blake Nikolic (348 runs at 26.77) led the way at the crease followed by Kyle Rayner (205), Tom Newman (191) and Hayden Rayner (188).

“Blake Nikolic was our main run-scorer and he was under pressure,” Cornelius said.

“All of a sudden if we lose a couple, we’ve got support. Having support in the top and middle of the batting, and not so much pressure on those will go a long way, plus being we’ll be able to throw the ball around a bit.”