ONE of Koroit's most decorated cricketers has returned to teach the next generation of stars.
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Neale Dobson, a premiership player at the club, will coach the Saints' under 17 side for the 2020-21 Warrnambool and District Cricket Association season.
The self-employed builder, who runs NK Dobson Builders, said he was happy to take on the role after the club approached him during the off-season.
"I'm happy to be getting involved with the young kids again as I did coach the girls cricket a couple of years ago because my daughter (Magella) played and it was a bit of an outlet," he said.
"I will try and pass on a bit of knowledge of what I have got and pass all I have been told and hopefully some of it sinks in. I'm not looking to create miracles but just to help them improve."
I will try and pass on a bit of knowledge of what I have got and pass all I have been told and hopefully some of it sinks in.
- Neale Dobson
Dobson, who was part of the Saints' first division one side before retiring after the club exited the top grade, said he was happy to be back at the club.
"It has changed a lot with a lot of younger faces I don't know but it is good to have new people around," he said.
The club's under 15, coached by Seamus and Paddy Brady, and under 17s sides are currently training together but Dobson said more players are welcome to come train and play for the club.
Tom Morrison will captain the under 17s this season, which begins against Dennington at home at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Tigers under lights
MERRIVALE is hopeful twilight cricket can become a regular fixture at its home base.
The Tigers hosted Dennington in a practice match this past Friday, making use of the Merrivale Recreation Reserve's new floodlights.
Merrivale president Bill Fary said the club would try to host short-form fixtures under lights around the festive period.
"We wanted to get it ticked off with the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association," he said.
"They had a look and were happy with it. We'll try to play a couple of Twenty20 games there around Christmas. We have a few Thursday games so we might push them a bit later and play them under lights too.
"They're not as bright as what the Reid Oval will have (after its redevelopment) but they're definitely good enough (for cricket)."
Fary said it was important cricket was innovative and hoped to draw people to matches after work in summer.
The Tigers appointed Justin Lynch as coach in April. He replaced Jeremy Burgess and Josh Stapleton in the role.
Stapleton and Burgess will stay on as players.
Merrivale has also recruited Otto Opperman and Troy McLaughlin to the club.
Cricket fiesta at Purnim
WARRNAMBOOL and District Cricket Association newcomers Northern Raiders will have their inaugural division two and three games opposite one another at Purnim Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
A division three fixture reshuffle meant the club's maiden third side could play at Peter McDonald Oval alongside the seconds, who will play at Rodger Henderson Oval.
Northern Raiders president Trevor Dowd said the newly-named club, who rebranded itself from Purnim when it shifted from the Grassmere Cricket Association, was excited to ring in a new era with its two senior teams playing adjacent.
The club will be lead by co-captains Joe and Jake McKinnon, while Tim Bryce has crossed from Panmure to coach.
Northern Raiders are aiming for promotion to the WDCA's division one grade in coming years.
Dogs champing at the bit
DENNINGTON coach Dustin Drew believes Luke Cody can strengthen the Dogs' on both sides of the game.
Cody, who this past season turned out for West Warrnambool, has joined the Dogs in the off-season.
Cody, who also features for Hampden league side Warrnambool through the winter, managed 148 runs from four innings this past season. He averaged 36.
"He definitely adds a bit. He'll bat top-order and can bowl first change," Drew said.
"He's also a good fielder. He does that well and we probably needed to target someone like him."
Cody joins Sri Lankans Damith Dewage, Telge Peiris and Tharanga Fernando while talented all-rounder Shannon Beks has committed after posting three games this past season.
The Dogs will face off against reigning premier Brierly-Christ Church on Saturday.
Broadcasting to the world
SOUTH West Cricket Association certainly won't die wondering. The progressive country league is entering its third week of streaming matches via the internet.
The initiative, which comes via streaming service Frogbox and major sponsor Terang Co-Op, will feature a match of the week each Saturday. It includes a custom match centre, which can be found at https://mc-swca.sportzvault.com/, and stores highlights of every four, six and wicket of each match filmed.
The association will announce its match of the round on Tuesday nights via Facebook.
To tune in, follow the link above. Happy streaming of cricket!
Do you have a piece of news you'd like featured in Behind The Stumps? Contact Nick Ansell at nicholas.ansell@warrnamboolstandard.com.au or on 0475 954 479 or Sean Hardeman at sean.hardeman@warrnamboolstandard.com.au
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