By Trevor Jackson
AFTER a tough 2019-20 Barber Shield cricket season, Mil Lel will look to rebound in 2020-21 but will have to face the season with lost players and new names.
Jack Miller returns as captain and is keen to carry on from where he left off.
Initially a couple of big blows involved two spearhead bowlers but rather than dwell on those losses, Miller has simply taken it on the chin and added to his list.
“We always have setbacks with people going to Adelaide for Uni and stuff like that,” he said.
“This year we have lost Tom Nieuwerkerk and Ben Thiel.
“They were always going to leave to go to Adelaide but we have picked up a few players.
“Logan Gibbs has come across from Penola and Nick Walters from Yahl.
“We have plenty of pace bowlers in the ranks coming through but spin was always the problem, especially with Tommy being a state cricketer.“
To counter that loss Miller noted a rising star in Mitch Little.
“Mitch is coming up – he is a leg spinner,“ he said.
“He played one A Grade game last year and took 5/20 or something like that against West so showed he is capable.”
Miller said the likes of Jonathan Allcock, Nick Walters, Logan Gibbs and himself would provide plenty of pace.
“Nick coming in is a huge boost for us,” he said.
“Carey Megaw will not be keeping this year – he will be bowling pace.
“Craig Lock can have a trundle when he wants to and Darcy Williamson is more of a batter but is capable with the ball, so our pace is not too bad.”
As for his batting stocks, Miller is confident his side can post bigger totals this season.
“Last year we didn’t think we were capable with the bat but we posted three scores over 200,” he said.
“Carey will be batting around number three and Tim McInerney has been in and out of the A’s and B’s over the last couple of years but from what we know he wants to step up into the A’s this year.
“We have the usual customers like Craig Lock and Darcy is more of a batter.
“We are hoping for a big year from Daniel Justin, a big pinch hitter who can bat all day and can score runs quite freely.
“The same players who made those runs last year will be in the team this year.“
Mil Lel managed just the one first-innings victory last season but Miller is confident his side can improve on that.
“We would have to string a few things together but we are not ruling finals out,” he said.
“We have always been renowned to be a better bowling team so it is more about batting out the overs and making the runs this season.”
Overall Miller said Mil Lel seems to be in a good place, with a full compliment of juniors, including two Under 12 sides and a women’s side which chalked up its first win on the weekend.
But for the Barber Shield, Mil Lel’s opening game does not come much tougher.
They face Penola at McCorquindale Park and Miller is under no illusions about the task ahead.
“No one really knows where everyone is at with everything that has been going on this year,” he said.
“But up against Penola in Penola – that will test us straight up.”
