This year we have been fortunate to recruit a number of new players to the club, some people know about, and some you may not. Pleasingly, we have seen a number of our juniors and Craig Shield participants at pre-season training and we expect to see them in the senior ranks this season.
Some of our more notable recruits include:
Premiership Heroes/Favourite Sons
Premiership Heroes and favourite sons, Miles Fabris and Satvik Verma return to the playing group this year, after short “sabbaticals” – A modern term for a summer enjoying music festivals and other “summer delights”, much to the chagrin of the club’s elder statesman. Both are still in their prime with plenty of good cricket ahead and will be fantastic additions on and off the field. Rumour has it there might be a few more of their vintage returning, but for now they are just rumours.
James Pattinson
For those that aren’t familiar, former Australian and Victorian fast bowler James Pattinson has joined the Oaks.
James played 21 test matches and 15 one day internationals for Australia, as well representing Victoria, Nottinghamshire, Melbourne Renegades, Brisbane Heat and Mumbai Indians.
Whilst James is best known for his bowling on the international stage, he is no slouch with the bat, averaging over 26 in test cricket, so we are hopeful of big things with bat and ball.
Nathan Harford
Nathan has joined this season as an assistant coach. Nathan comes to us having previously played and Frankston Peninsula for 11 seasons in the 1st and 2nd xi, where he made over 6,500 runs and took nearly 60 wickets. Nathan has hit the ground running with his enthusiasm and drive and will be a welcome addition.
Dylan Grandell
Dylan is a familiar face having trained with the group for a number of years, while he played on the weekends for his hometown Numurkah. Dylan is one of Numurkah’s finest players where he was a champion batsman, occasional wicket keeper and premiership winning captain.
Prior to this, Dylan played 19 First XI games for Northcote and a season for Kew (we forgive you), where he made a first xi hundred. Dylan brings a wealth of experience, and we hope runs.
Ben Fletcher
Ben is a friend of the Iverson family and he and his partner are staying with the Iverson family, having travelled out from the UK. Ben is a left arm fast bowler who hails from Wollaton Cricket Club. Ben has played County Second XI cricket with Northhamptonshire and last year played for Richmond, including in the 1st XI.
With Alex Jones injuring his knee and expected to be out for the season, Ben is sure to be a welcome addition.
Carlos Wakefield
Carlos is another Stockport Georgians alumni. Carlos is coming out to spend a summer in Australia and he has undertaken to assist Glenda Splatt with the juniors. Carlos is an ECB qualified cricket coach and is really looking forward to helping out the oaks.
Kindly and generously, one of our junior family’s, the De Jong’s have offered to house Carlos for a period of time, however, we are still looking for some other potential host families. If you are in a position to have Carlos stay with you, even for a few weeks, please let Glenda Splatt know.