NEW Nirranda captain Damon Delaney believes the Knights could be a big improver this Warrnambool and District Cricket Association season.
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But Delaney is refusing to bestow expectations on his men as they attempt to shake the tag of competition cellar-dweller.
The Knights have posted just four wins in the past two seasons and face a tough task to rise up the ladder in the Hopkins conference.
Their conference rivals include last season’s runner-up Dennington and finalist Merrivale along with Brierly-Christ Church, Allansford and Nestles.
But they will start their campaign with much optimism after securing two key recruits during winter — one a Sri Lankan import for the first time.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Ranil Rasanga has arrived in the region with a cricket resume boasting first-class experience in his homeland.
Rasanga played 39 matches in the top domestic competition, averaging 26.88 with a top score of 144, according to ESPN’s cricinfo.
His recruitment is complemented by that of Pomborneit all-rounder Craig Sargeant, a key figure in the Bulls’ 2008-09 South West Cricket flag.
Batsman Jay Wynd, the Knights’ captain last season, is the only departure. Work commitments have prompted Wynd to return to Terang.
“We’re a bit excited, to be honest. Obviously we’ve got Ranil, who has just flown in last week,” Delaney said.
“I don’t know a lot about him but his stats read pretty well. He’s 28 and he’s got a bit of age about him so he should have a wise head.
“From what we’ve seen in the past week he looks pretty handy with the bat and he’s taken over my job with the gloves, which has freed me up a bit.
“(And) Sarge’s record speaks for itself ... it’s a massive bonus for our club to get someone of Sarge’s standard to offer his knowledge to our young guys.” Delaney said there were “a couple more” recruits in the pipeline. He said he was disappointed to lose Wynd but respected his circumstances.
“It’s a pity he wasn’t able to hang around. We liked the idea of him and Sarge batting together at the top of the order,” he said.
He said teenagers Tyler Mungean and Brody Couch could also expect to play division one, although the club would manage their workload.
“We’ve definitely got some really good prospects coming through. We have to be careful not to burn them out,” he said.
As for expectations, the new skipper was keen not to put unnecessary pressure on the group.
“We’re not setting any benchmarks just yet. We’re looking for overall improvement to be honest,” he said.
“Myself and the Dalton brothers (Jesse and James) and Chris Haberfield are the ones who we’re looking for improvement from, to go up that next gear.
“If we can get that continual improvement out of that next tier, we’ll get better as a side.”
The WDCA season gets under way on Saturday with a round of Twenty20 matches. Nirranda opens its campaign against Allansford at Nirranda.
In other Hopkins conference matches, Brierly-Christ Church meets Dennington at Brierly and Merrivale takes on Nestles at Merrivale.
afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au
