Wives and girlfriends of Sale-Maffra cricketers – get your goodbyes in now.
The cricket season starts in a matter of days, and that means hundreds of players across the region will be devoting their time to a sport that takes up most of the weekend for the next six months.
To the uninhibited, cricket can appear to be a confusing game played out by eccentrics in long trousers who stand out in the sun for six hours, but to millions of devotees worldwide, it is the ultimate battle of wits, cunning and attrition.
In terms of making a return, the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association has a double-dose in store for season 2022/23.
Not only will this season see the return of two-day cricket for the first time since 2019/20, it will also see the return of the much-loved tradition of afternoon tea.
The return of two-dayers means the return of real cricket, while the return of ‘the spread’ means the afternoon tea stakes are sure to be a battle as hotly contested as anything on the field.
Club reputations can be made or destroyed on the quality of the afternoon tea.
Many young players have kept their spot in a first grade team because their mothers provide scrumptious afternoon teas.
Don’t forget, it is polite to allow the visiting team to have the first helping to the afternoon tea banquet.
Moving back to the fixture, the season will start with three one-day games before moving into the longer format.
Playing only three one dayers to start appears a good move considering the high possibility matches will be called off due to rain in the early part of the season.
By having only three one-day games, there should be flexibility in the later part of the season to play make-up rounds.
There is another run of three one-day games straight after Christmas, so a Saturday/Sunday arrangement might be implemented if the need arises to use a reserve day.
So, how are the teams shaping up?
From the outset, if you were a betting man, you would be tempted to put your money on Collegians.
College may well resembled the famed West Indies fast bowling quartet of the 1980s this season.
Speedster Nathan Whitford has been added from Bundalaguah, while at the other end, Noah Hurley will be streaming in, coming back from Carlton in Victorian Premier Cricket.
The latter has been clocked around 130 kilometres an hour, while the Morrison brothers, Charlie and Tom, will provide more than adequate foil.
College will be without Isaac Love, who has gone back to Rosedale-Kilmany.
The prodigal son will captain the Warriors this season, who should be naturally bolstered by the fact Brad Scott is also playing the whole season.
A few players in the SMCA spent the winter playing in England.
Longford’s Jake Wynd was one, and the leg spinning all-rounder enjoyed a productive time in the UK, taking more than 20 wickets.
Traditionally, leg spinners struggle on English pitches, so for Wynd to return those numbers speaks volumes of his quality.
His 97 off 91 balls against Sale last season delivered a memorable victory for the Lizards.
Speaking of Sale, the return of two-day matches should suit the wide open expanses of Sale Oval.
The Swans will be without Rohan Blandford, but do get South African superstar Coenie Nel back.
Nel would have needed an extra suitcase to take home all the trophies he won the last time he played out here in 2019/20.
The Swans are still the reigning two-day premiers, while if you want to get really technical, Boisdale-Briagolong is still the reigning two-day premier from a Grand Final that was played.
The Saints have made an interesting case study in recent seasons, finding themselves performing at completely opposite ends of the scale from one week to the next.
It is surely never boring at Boisdale-Briagolong.
It certainly wasn’t boring last season when Liam Hurst came in with the side 5/29 against Maffra.
Batting at seven, Hurst went on to torch 78 from 71 balls with half a dozen sixes.
‘If it’s in the V, put it in the trees’.
Not far from the Briagolong bush, Stratford will be gunning to make it a hat-trick of premierships.
If there is one thing the Redbacks know, it is A Grade flags. They have won seven since 2000.
Stratford wasted no time preparing for the upcoming season. Not even 24 hours after the football team won the premiership, the cricketers moved onto the oval to start preparing the wicket.
A key to the Redbacks success may stem from nothing more than hard work.
Those who have batted on the practice wicket at Stratford will tell you it spins sideways. This could be intentional – if you can bat on that you should be able to bat on anything.
Rounding off the clubs, Maffra is one that has been there or thereabouts the past couple of years.
It looks to be a ‘one club approach’ at the Eagles, who have been busy running junior clinics with local schools in the off season.
Youngster Miller Eastham has come across from Heyfield.
It is always good to see players wanting to test themselves at A Grade level, and Maffra has provided that opportunity only a short distance away.
The Eagles open their season on the road to Boisdale-Briagolong.
Sale host Longford, while Bundalaguah makes the trip to Stratford.
And as fate would have it, Love will come up against his old side in the first round, with Rosedale-Kilmany home to Collegians.
A full preview of the SMCA season, including the ins and outs for all clubs, will appear in Friday’s issue.
