BENDIGO United has bolstered its first XI squad with a new captain and former Australian junior representative among its signings ahead of the upcoming 2021-22 Bendigo District Cricket Association season.

Hard-hitting all-rounder Clayton Holmes, a key member of the last Bendigo United side to play in the finals in 2016-17, is returning to Harry Trott Oval as first XI skipper, while the Redbacks have also added an injection of class into their batting line-up with Zane Keighran's arrival.

As well as Holmes and Keighran, the Redbacks' batting department has also been boosted with the addition of keeper-batsman Steve Barrett from Cooma as an assistant coach, while Tom Starr is returning to the club following a stint with Carlton.

The Redbacks also have bowlers Justin Slater and Alex Culvenor rejoining the club.

Leading the way off the field for the Redbacks are two of the club's premiership captains in Leigh McDermott and Chris Pinninger in the roles of co-coach.

Former powerhouse Bendigo United has been in rebuild mode for the past four seasons following a sustained period of success when they contested every finals series between 2002-03 and 2016-17 and won five premierships.

But following an exodus of key players after the club lost the 2016-17 grand final to Eaglehawk the Redbacks' focus has been on development, which after a hat-trick of wooden spoons last season took a step in the right direction with an improved eighth-placed finish.

"BUCCs is a really good club, so I'm looking forward to getting back involved again. It's an exciting challenge." Holmes said.

"We've been able to pick up some players already, so, hopefully, we can translate that into some good results on the field."

Cricket leadership isn't new to Holmes, who has both captained and coached back home with the Nondescripts Cricket Club in Cohuna.

Barrett is coming off a season in which he opened the batting for Cooma in the Goulburn Murray Cricket Association and smacked 401 runs at an average of 33.4.

"He's a quality cricketer who can bat anywhere in the top five and it's great to have him on board," Holmes said.

"He's a very good striker of the ball and will be a big asset for us going forward

"And we're also really excited to have Zane Keighran joining us."

Keighran represented Australia at under-16 level in a Twenty20 series against Pakistan in 2017 and is joining the Redbacks having come through the ranks at Golden Square, where he already has one BDCA first XI century after smashing 107 n.o. against Sandhurst in 2017-18.

"Zane is good mates with Jake Thrum and Harry Donegan through footy at Golden Square and we're rapt to have him on board," Holmes said of Keighran, who played with Mandurang in the Emu Valley last season.

"He's obviously a very classy player. We know what he brings to the table, but the big focus for us is making sure everyone plays their role and we don't just leave it up to one or two individuals."

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