COMPETITION powerhouse Nestles is hoping a new leadership team will lift it back to familiar territory at the top of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association table.
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All-rounder Kyle Humphrys has been lured from Russells Creek to take on the role of Nestles division one captain for 2015/16.
Nestles has also appointed former Grassmere Cricket Association batsman Darren Loft coach.
Humphrys will be a big acquisition for the Factory, having scored 433 runs at an average of 25.50 last season as an opening batsmen.
He also contributed with the ball, taking six wickets with his right arm off-spin.
Humphrys, who is in England playing for the Winton Cricket Club, said he was looking forward to the leadership role.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, to be given the opportunity to lead a side”, Humphrys said.
“I’ve played under every type of captain so I’m looking forward to taking the experiences I’ve learnt into the Nestles Cricket Club.
“I’m a very analytical and decisive player so I hope to bring that into my captaincy. I will have no worries throwing the ball around.
“We have the best all-rounder in Brett Eldridge and the best wicketkeeper Cam Williams, while Geoff Williams is an underrated batsman with fantastic hands in the gully.
“The colts were runners- up in last year’s grand final so there is talent coming through.”
Nestles president Gary MacLean said the club was thrilled to bring in some new leaders, while also retaining a couple of stalwarts.
MacLean said Eldridge captained the team last year and had already committed to line up again, while 2014/15 coach Ross Corbett would remain in a specialist coaching role.
“We are really happy with the young players we have at the club and they now have another season of senior cricket behind them,” MacLean said.
“Being able to bring in Kyle and Darren is only going to help their development and help us push up the ladder.”
Nestles is the WDCA’s most successful club with 29 A grade or division one premierships.
But the club has not won a flag since 2002/03 and last played finals in 2011/12, when it was runner-up to West Warrnambool.
Last season the Factory won five games, a return that didn’t stop it finishing on the bottom of the WDCA Hopkins conference.
