VTCA Senior premiers Strathmore secure star batsman James Dickinson from Plenty Valley

As if Strathmore’s VTCA Senior Division premiership team wasn’t already stacked, the Mores have added Plenty Valley premiership captain-coach James Dickinson for the 2019-20 season.

James Dickinson in action for Plenty Valley during the VSDCA grand final. Picture: Josie Hayden

Strathmore has added another weapon to its already stacked premiership line-up.

Plenty Valley captain-coach James Dickinson has crossed to the VTCA Senior Division premier for 2019-20.

It’s understood Dickinson has moved to the western suburbs and the Mores are the beneficiaries.

Dickinson scored 397 runs at an average of 28 for the VSDCA premiers this season.

The opening batsman top scored in the Bats’ grand final win over Noble Park with 79 and also has experience at Premier Cricket club, Essendon.

Plenty Valley captain-coach James Dickinson. Picture: Josie Hayden

Captain John Bassi said Dickinson would add considerable depth to the Mores’ batting.

“It’s fantastic, a bit more experience in our batting line-up,” he said.

“We had quite a young middle order last year, so James will strengthen that up nicely.

“He knows a few of the boys from playing at Essendon; Lucas Kennedy and Daniel Slevison played with him.”

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Kennedy was the Mores’ top-scoring batsman this season with 539 runs at 38 while coach Omar Phillips wasn’t far behind with 524 runs at 37.

Both batsmen have re-signed with Strathmore for 2019-20 as well as Chanaka Welegedara.

Welegadara was Senior Division’s leading wicket-taker with 44 scalps across the regular season and finals.

Bassi said the club was happy with its playing group with the addition of Dickinson.

Chanaka Welegedara in action for Strathmore. Picture: Hamish Blair

“They did the brunt of the work with bat and ball, so it’s fantastic to have those three back,” he said.

“After last year it was more about keeping everyone than chasing anyone.

“It’s surprising, once you win a premiership you get a few more phone calls about players wanting to come and play for you.

“You never say never but we’re pretty content with what we’ve got at the moment.”

Strathmore finished the home-and-away season in second behind Doutta Stars but proved too strong in the grand final.

After reaching the summit, Bassi said the club was determined not to slip next season.

“Having won it and done all the hard work we certainly want to be up there again and win it again,” he said.

“We know it’s a very difficult thing to do, especially in a competition that was so tight and even last year.”