HE'S BACK: Josh Sands will play the full 2012-13 cricket season with CYMS. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 1121sgcrick3
CYMS could be one of the most exciting teams this Orange District Cricket Association season.
The club has recruited well during the cooler months and will this season will be able to field a side boasting experience and youth.
Trent Colley has signed on as captain for the 2012-13 season and will be joined by other handy additions.
Batsman Luke Clarke is also coming to CYMS after leaving Cavaliers, Chris Novak has come across from Bathurst and former Waratahs player Clint Grambeau is on board.
CYMS member Josh Sands has returned from university and will enjoy the whole season with his old club.
Travis Bertram will also be a regular for CYMS and former CYMS captain Jacob Sands could be back after an overseas adventure next month.
Add those players to regulars such as batsmen Dave Neil, Nick Wright and Dean Turner, as well as bowler Allan Dhatt and things are looking good for the side.
But Colley said possibly the most exciting thing for the club is the core of junior players who are a serious chance of becoming regular first graders.
“There’s young guys like Andrew Borschtsch, Nick Moran, Jack Sharpe, Grant Koch and Nick Roweth,” Colley said.
“I’ve been impressed with the core group of juniors there and they’ve really been a good motivator for me. It would be good to see them push for a spot in first grade this season.”
Having good players is only the first step for CYMS.
“We have a nice squad on paper but, it’s the old cliche, you’ve got to be able to put it together on the park,” Colley said.
“We won’t worry about other teams. We’ll focus on the execution of our skills and our performance as a team.”
The first grade captain said the club’s strength spreads beyond first grade and that could be key to their success this season.
“We had a club meeting recently and I pointed out the most important team in the club is second grade because they put the pressure on first grade,” he said.
Versatility will also be important for the first grade team.
“We cover a lot of positions with most guys. Guys can bat and bowl a bit of spin, or they can bowl and bad middle-order.
“The biggest competition at the moment is for fast bowling spots. There are probably six guys pushing for three or four spots.”
CYMS will take on Cavaliers in their opening ODCA match this Saturday at Wade Park from 1pm.
The CYMS side named to play is: Trent Colley (c), John Warrington, Nick Wright, David Neil, Dean Turner, Hamish Finlayson, Josh Sands, Pat Madden, Chris Novak, Allan Dhatt, Sam Dwyer and Grant Koch.