VSDCA: Plenty Valley signs Essendon all-rounder Callum Nankervis
THE late addition of hard-hitting all-rounder Callum Nankervis has boosted Plenty Valley on the eve of the VSDCA season.
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THE late addition of hard-hitting all-rounder Callum Nankervis has boosted Plenty Valley on the eve of the VSDCA season.
Nankervis has spent the past four seasons with Premier Cricket club Essendon, where he played under Bats captain-coach James Dickinson.
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A powerful middle-order batsman and medium-pace bowler, Nankervis had a high score of 136 for the Bombers’ seconds.
He also enjoyed a career-best summer with the ball in 2017-18, claiming 24 wickets.
“He’s really strong in all three facets,” Dickinson said.
“Good batsman, can bowl and he’s pretty strong in the field as well. He’s a really handy pick-up late in the piece.”
Nankervis, paceman Luke Andree and wicketkeeper Rory Collins were the key inclusions to Plenty Valley’s First XI squad during the off-season.
“I played a lot of cricket with Cal,” Dickinson said.
“Super guy, country boy and he has fitted in really well.”
Top-order batsman Ryan Pearson, opening bowler Simon Black, all-rounder Daniel Heatley and veteran Sean Ayres will be key players again as the Bats target their first flag since 2014-15.
Ayres, a decorated VSDCA figure, is due to play his 300th First XI match this summer.
Dickinson said he was keen to inject some young talent into Plenty Valley’s team, highlighting medium-pacer Mitch Harris, batsman Louis Macciocca and 14-year-old spinner Ikroop Dhanoa as players who had First XI qualities.
“Young guys who have been at Plenty Valley for a few years might pop up into the ones team to give us a fresh look and a lot of energy in the field,” he said.
The Bats finished sixth in the North-West group last season and succumbed to Kew in a semi-final.
Dickinson, who has taken the coaching reins from Matthew Hewat, said he was positive about Plenty Valley’s chances of mounting another finals tilt.
“Everyone is feeling strong and feeling positive about the season,” he said.
“We have got a lot younger group this year, which has put good energy and enthusiasm through the pre-season.”
The Bats face Coburg in the opening round of the campaign, which is due to start on Saturday.
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