BENDIGO United has applied the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” theory to its leaders for the upcoming Bendigo District Cricket Association season.
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The Redbacks won last season’s first XI premiership and will again be captained by Leigh McDermott and coached by Marcus Smalley.
The core of the premiership team that defeated Golden Square by 164 runs in last season’s grand final is returning for the Redbacks.
However, there is set to be one notable absence, with star opening batsman Matt Pinniger - who made 115 in the grand final - unlikely to play on.
And fellow opener Mark Di Fede will be unavailable early in the season.
At second XI level, Curtis Tuohey has been appointed Redbacks’ captain, while Scott Macumber will continue as the third XI skipper.
“We’ve got a lot of good young players at the club, as well as a strong group of experienced players,” Redbacks president David Bicknell said.
“We’ll aim to give opportunities to the younger players in the first XI and get the next generation coming through while we’ve still got that experience there to guide them.”
At junior level, Jason Dean is continuing as the club’s junior co-ordinator.
“We’ve got a strong focus on our juniors and we’ve got more numbers this year than we have had for a long time,” Bicknell said.
“The numbers are continuing to build in the younger age groups, which is positive for the club moving forward.”
The Redbacks have been training for the past three weeks.
Bendigo United opens its 2014-15 season on Saturday, October 4 with a one-day game against Bendigo.
The club’s major sponsors are the Brougham Arms Hotel and Reuben Beazley Builders.