The opening round of Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association begins tomorrow with A1 Grade newcomers Inverleigh taking on Collendina.
The season will start a week earlier than Geelong Cricket Association and Premier Cricket.
Inverleigh will begin the new season with star bowler Matt Tarbet, who has crossed from St Joseph’s.
The Kookaburras have a strong attack and won’t look out of place in the top flight this season.
Gun seamers Jye Hearps and Charlie Lamb have both retired, leaving a hole in Collendina’s attack, although the duo didn’t play much last season anyway.
Nathan Walter will again lead the Cobras.
The best match of the round appears to be between Anglesea and Ocean Grove.
The league’s dominant club over the past five years, Anglesea again looks the team to beat with former Drysdale all-rounder Brett Harding joining the crew at Ilinc Construction Oval and run machine Ned Cooper will be captain after scoring more than 500 runs playing in Darwin during the off season.
Gun batsman Michael Kenneady will return to Ocean Grove after a year off while leg-spinner Rob Rutley joins from Doutta Stars.
Jan Juc will host Barrabool at Bob Pettitt Reserve with superstar quick Nicky Smith rejoining the Sharks. Left-arm seamer Jordy Graham will be at the helm.
Prolific run scorer Kane Pickering will again captain Barrabool into the new season with former Queenscliff batsmen Daniel Mair as coach.
In the final game, Queenscliff hosts St Leonards in what looks like an even match-up.
Hard-hitting batsman Andrew Spenghler will lead the Saints. Jack Jeffrey joins the club from Lethbridge and Cam Egan will be aiming to cement his position as one of the best all-rounders in the competition.
Frank Mileto will be in charge of Queenscliff with the Coutas aiming to play finals.
Cricket Victoria said players will not need to be fully vaccinated to play, spectators are allowed, although “discouraged over coming weeks” and QR codes and check-ins must be used.
