CRICKET
BY their own admission, the 2015-16 pre-season has been a slow one for Cavaliers.
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But any side boasting an eager Richie Venner is a dangerous one, and the maroon caps about to embark on the upcoming Orange District Cricket Association have just that.
After 12 months away from the sport, Venner is back and will captain Cavaliers this summer in a welcome boost for the club after veteran all-rounder Stu Middleton announced he’d retire after leading the side to a grand final berth in 2014-15, although a comeback could be on the cards.
Regardless, Venner says he’s rapt to be back.
“I’d been playing for a long time and with a young family I wanted to spend some more time with them,” Venner said.
“But (my kids) are a little bit older now, and in the few games I came back last year they really enjoyed it too, which made it easier for me to come back.”
Venner said with sides in first grade, second grade and centenary cup, the club was in a strong position but admits the season proper has crept up on his charges.
“It hasn’t been too bad, but like most clubs the pre-season has been a touch slow,” he conceded.
“It hasn’t been a huge pre-season training wise but we’ve still got our plans and goals for throughout the regular season.”
The obvious omission from Cavs side this year is Middleton, while former Wanderers left-arm quick Scott Kennedy and Orange City opening batsman John Warrington have made the move to the maroons.
Towering batsman Josh Doherty also returns from overseas.
“Scott’s going to have no trouble fitting into our side. He’s been great from what I’ve seen at training so far,” Venner said, while admitting there’s a chance Middleton might be back at some stage this year.
“Stu’s a bit like I was last year, and the work he does for his sons and their junior cricket would take up a huge amount of time and effort. But there’s a chance he’ll be back, definitely.”
Cavaliers snapshot:
Significant gain: Richie Venner
Last season: runner-up
Prediction: runner-up
Cricki's view: John Warrington is about to begin a stint at his third ODCA club in half a decade. Word is he's looking into re-taking his HSC in 2017 so he's eligible to play for Kinross next season and chalk up another.