Your complete guide to the WDCA season

We spent a bizarre winter indoors, away from competitive sport, while the world came to a standstill due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Football stopped. Soccer stopped. Every team sport effectively stopped.

There were uncertainties around whether cricket would see the light of day as coronavirus numbers peaked and Victorian entered its second lockdown.

But here we are. Warrnambool and District Cricket Association action will begin on Saturday, two weeks after South West started and on par with the Grassmere Cricket Association.

While it's been a quiet winter on field, clubs have been working busily in the background to ensure their teams are as well-prepared as possible to pursue a premiership.

Several recruits have entered the association and it has gained two new clubs in Panmure, who merged with Allansford, and Northern Raiders, who evolved from Purnim.

Northern Raiders have impressed with a strong plan to ensure their long-term stability and success and are sure to make waves in division two with Jake and Joe McKinnon as co-captains.

Allansford-Panmure, meanwhile, will debut a host of Bulldogs in division one on Saturday. Paddy Mahony, Daniel Meade and Tom Wright are among the inclusions in week one.

While no overseas players have been able to play, the association is blessed with a number of Sri Lankan talents.

Geethal Fernando has joined Brierly-Christ Church after a stint in Melbourne while Dennington has managed to secure three of his countrymen - Damith Dewage, Tharanga Fernando and Telge Peiris - to bolster its batting stocks.

Russells Creek unveiled Shiv Kumara, a tricky left-arm spinner, to join best mate Shashan Silva in the club's first XI. How new captain Matt Petherick juggles two talented spinners in Kumara and Joe Kenna will be fascinating.

Can Brierly-Christ Church secure another premiership? It will be without veteran coach Jason Mungean, who has retired, but has drafted in quick Geethal Fernando for round one.

West Warrnambool and Nestles are two clubs desperate to take the next step. The Panthers have bolstered their bowling stocks with Tyler Fowler, from Woodford, while Ben Rantall has committed after missing through injury in recent seasons.

How will it all pan out? The Standard's NICK ANSELL has analysed your club's chances.

Ins: Paddy Mahony, Tom Wright, Sam Mahony, Josh Parsons, Daniel Meade, Jayden Salmon

Outs: Brad Sheen (family commitments, could play but expected to feature less)

This past season: Eighth

Prediction: Eighth

Strong point: Experienced list

Player to watch: Ethan Boyd. Son of Gators legend Ben, Ethan is a promising bowler with loads of upside. Snared 15 wickets from 11 matches at an average of 19.7 this past season. Capable of brilliant things down the line.

Verdict: It's almost impossible to gauge where Allansford-Panmure sits. Administratively, the club is in a brilliant position and has a magnitude of people who care about its fortunes. On-field, with the introduction of several Grassmere Cricket Association prospects, it's hard to see where they stand before round one. Will be fascinating to see how it tackles round one against Nestles at home.

Ins: Geethal Fernando

Out: Jason Mungean (retired)

This past season: First

Prediction: First

Strong point: Batting depth.

Player to watch: Geethal Fernando. The Sri Lankan national is said to bowl fast - very fast - and looks the part. Could contribute with the bat.

Verdict: You'd struggle to find a team that bats this deep. If you get star opener and captain Matthew Love early, you've still got to get through Nathan Murphy, Kalon Wilkie, Campbell Love and Mark Murphy, arguably the most dangerous batsman in the competition. Bowling-wise, Fernando could add some pace while Damon Dews and Murphy are reliable options. Watch out for spinners Lachi Rooke and Jason Greer too.

Ins: Damith Dewage, Tharanga Fernando, Telge Peiris, Luke Cody

Outs: Henry Walker (England)

This past season: Ninth

Prediction: Sixth

Strong point: Rejuvenated batting lineup

Player to watch: Luke Cody and Telge Peiris. Cody played a handful of games for West Warrnambool in recent seasons but has prioritised football. Will bat in the Dogs' top-order and is rated highly among those at his former club. Peiris made 400 runs and took nearly 40 wickets playing at Flemington this past season and looks the part.

Verdict: Hard to see Dennington not improving. Batting was an issue this past season, and the club has addressed that. Bowling is as solid as ever. Prudent recruiting and coach Dustin Drew would be satisfied with how they're placed. Weren't a bad side in 2019-20 and can only get better. Getting Shannon Beks back playing is also a major bonus after he turned out three times this past season.

Ins: Justin Lynch, Troy McLaughlin, Otto Opperman

Outs: None

This past season: Sixth

Prediction: Seventh

Strong point: Batting

Player to watch: Theo Opperman. Showed flashes of brilliance this past season and can certainly knock out a few runs. Will benefit from more experienced heads around and could have a breakout campaign. Still young and developing.

Verdict: The first thing that jumps out when analysing Merrivale is added experience. Justin Lynch's new role as coach will be a massive boost and with Josh Stapleton, Jeremy Burgess, Troy McLaughlin and Otto Opperman, things are looking a lot stronger on the batting end. A pretty well-balanced team who could cause some headaches for good sides. One to watch.

Ins: Will Ringin, Glenn Hannah, Lewis Eldridge

Outs: Brendan Chatfield (Killarney)

This past season: Fifth

Prediction: Fifth

Strong point: Bowling - at least to begin with.

Player to watch: Jake Hetherington. A good, solid cricketer. Can bowl, can bat, can do most things asked of him. Becoming more of a leader now in a young side and if he has a good season, expect Nestles to be right up there.

Verdict: You get the sense the club has more depth and with coach Alex Strauch starting in division two, that may well be the case. Having two Victorian Premier Cricket bowlers in Lewis Eldridge and Glenn Hannah back for the first few rounds could be vitally important for the club's chances. Keep safe. More than capable of playing finals.

Ins: Alex Jennings, Sam Wilson

Outs: Kalon Wilkie (Brierly-Christ Church)

This past season: 10^th

Prediction: 10^th

Strong point: Unpredictability

Player to watch: Alex Jennings. Has been given the captaincy after several promising seasons at Woodford and can contribute with both bat and ball. Will be interesting to see how he thrives in a new environment and with leadership duties.

Verdict: New coach Brian Medew has been tight-lipped on recruits and is trying to build a winning team and club culture at Avery's Paddock. Hard to judge, but still plenty of talent floating around. Aaron Williams is as good as any batsman and Jason Perera can be a match-winner. Youngsters Max Green and Jennings will be important and could have breakout campaigns. Not really a 10th-place side but the competition's evenness will make it tough.

Ins: Shiv Kumara, Tyler Schafer, Dom Bandara

Outs: Adam Doak (Heytesbury Rebels)

This past season: Second

Prediction: Second

Strong point: Aggression

Player to watch: Blake Evans. Has built himself up well as a decent first or second change option in recent seasons but may get more opportunity this season.

Verdict: Schafer will be a handy inclusion after proving himself talented at South West Cricket Association powerhouse Mortlake. Can make top-order runs and can make a difference. The Creekers look strong once again but how good a season Cam Williams and Jimmy Elford enjoy will help them push for a flag. Well-drilled club who can play aggressive cricket. Flag contender, yet again.

Ins: Matthew Sinnott, Will Pomorin

Outs: Sam McCosh (retired), Mitch Bowman (travelling)

This past season: Seventh

Prediction: Ninth

Strong point: Mix of youth and experience

Player to watch: Ben Evans. Has taken a lot of wickets consistently over the past four or five years and is a key spinner for the Beavers. Capable of taking big bags and turning the game.

Verdict: Again, not really a ninth-placed team. Lots of talented youngsters who proved their worth this past campaign and new captain Ben Dobson will look to get the best out of them again. Capable of beating any side.

Ins: Tyler Fowler

Outs: Luke Cody (Dennington), Jack Sunderland (England)

This past season: Fourth

Prediction: Third

Strong point: Evenness and depth

Player to watch: Ryan Youl. Arguably the best wicketkeeper in the competition - or at least on par with Cam Williams - who was right in the mix for Melbourne Country Week selection in February. Could become a stronger player if he can add a few scores to his game.

Verdict: Hard to pinpoint a weakness. Lacked a strike bowler this past season but with Fowler and returning paceman Ben Rantall, things are looking very rosy at Davidson Oval. Hard to break down and good youth coming through as well. Gone are the days of reliance on coach Alastair Templeton and captain Ben Threlfall for runs. Flag contender.

Ins: Bailey Jenkinson

Outs: Tyler Fowler, Alex Jennings

This past season: Third

Prediction: Fourth

Strong point: Top-end talent

Player to watch: Bailey Jenkinson. Played a lot of representative cricket and can make an immediate impact. The Eels had a glimpse of his talent this past season but he'll play the full campaign.

Verdict: The Eels have lost a bit of depth in Fowler and Jennings, two very good players, but still boast three of the best seven or eight players in the competition in Nick Butters, Kory Howlett and Hank Schlaghecke. Too much class not to play finals. Could once again threaten for a flag.

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