BENDIGO United is shaping as the big improver of the Bendigo District Cricket Association following a productive off-season recruiting campaign.

Coming off four wins last season, the Redbacks have lured explosive all-rounder Clayton Holmes back to Harry Trott Oval to captain the side, as well as signing Zane Keighran and Steve Barrett to further strengthen their batting line-up.

The key trio join a Redbacks' side that has spent the past four years in rebuild mode following its era as a power club when it contested every finals series between 2002-03 and 2016-17 and won five premierships.

Holmes last played with Bendigo United full-time in 2016-17 - the season the Redbacks lost the grand final to Eaglehawk and he combined 385 runs opening the batting with 12 wickets.

The classy Zeighran - who played with Mandurang last season - has previously played first XI in the BDCA with Golden Square scoring 724 runs at an average of 25.0 and in 2017 represented Australia at under-16 level in a Twenty20 series against Pakistan.

New assistant coach Barrett opened the batting for Cooma in the Goulburn Murray Cricket Association last season, belting 401 runs at an average of 33.4 and will also wicket-keep for the Redbacks.

The Redbacks also have bowler Justin Slater, a former Bendigo United player, back from Mandurang and batsman Tom Starr is returning following a stint with Carlton.

There is a notable loss though for the Redbacks with the departure of last season's equal leading wicket-taker, Tom Batters.

With the inclusions into the side the core of the Redbacks' batting line-up will be based around Holmes, Riley Treloar, Keighran, Barrett, Starr, promising youngster Xavier Austin and Jake Thrum.

"We think we've got a side that will be well suited to the one-day game and some good depth with probably 15 to pick from in terms of our A Grade side," Holmes said.

"And there's some really good kids coming through, so the future is looking bright for the club."

Holmes and Slater will help to offset the loss of Batters in the bowling department, while the Redbacks will also have to do without Billy Quirk (10 wickets), who will be out with injury.

"Hopefully, with the players we've brought in we'll be able to share the workload with the bat and ball and there isn't as much pressure on guys like Riley Treloar to have to make runs every week," Holmes said.

"The talent is there and, hopefully, it can continue to grow and we can reap some rewards."

ROUND 1 - November 13

v Kangaroo Flat (h)

............................................

ROUND 2 - November 20

v Strathfieldsaye (a)

............................................

ROUND 3 - November 27

v Eaglehawk (a)

............................................

ROUND 4 - December 4

v Golden Square (h)

............................................

ROUND 5 - December 11

v Sandhurst (a)

............................................

ROUND 6 - December 18

v White Hills (h)

............................................

ROUND 7 - January 8

v Strathdale (h)

............................................

ROUND 8 - January 15

v Huntly-North Epsom (a)

............................................

ROUND 9 - January 22

v Bendigo (h)

............................................

ROUND 10 - January 29

v Kangaroo Flat (a)

............................................

ROUND 11 - February 5

v Strathfieldsaye (h)

............................................

ROUND 12 - February 6

v Eaglehawk (h)

............................................

ROUND 13 - February 12

v Golden Square (a)

............................................

ROUND 14 - February 19

v Sandhurst (h)

............................................

ROUND 15 - February 26

v White Hills (a)

............................................

ROUND 16 - March 5

v Strathdale (a)

............................................

ROUND 17 - March 6

v Huntly-North Epsom (h)

............................................

ROUND 18 - March 12

v Bendigo (a)

Finished - 8th

Record - 4-11-3, 0.69%

Bat - 10th Ball - 7th

............................................

Leading run-scorers:

278 - Riley Treloar

245 - Jake Thrum

168 - Miggy Podosky

154 - Josh Thurston

147 - Harry Donegan

............................................

Leading wicket-takers:

20 - Tom Batters

20 - Miggy Podsoky

16 - Jake Thrum

13 - Ashley

Younghusband

12 - Scott Harper

............................................

Leading MVP points:

643 - Miggy Podosky

630 - Jake Thrum

506 - Tom Batters

372 - Scott Harper

368 - Ashley

Younghusband

v Bendigo

Won: 18 Lost: 9 Tied: 1

............................................

v Eaglehawk

Won: 13 Lost: 15

............................................

v Golden Square

Won: 21 Lost: 14

............................................

v Huntly-North Epsom

Won: 19 Lost: 6

............................................

v Kangaroo Flat

Won: 17 Lost: 13

............................................

v Sandhurst

Won: 19 Lost: 8

............................................

v Strathdale-Maristians

Won: 10 Lost: 21

............................................

v Strathfieldsaye

Won: 15 Lost: 13

............................................

v White Hills

Won: 21 Lost: 8

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