North Geelong begins its Geelong Cricket Association premiership defence on Saturday with a match against last season’s runners-up East Belmont.
The Magpies completed a centre-wicket practice session at Marshall’s new facilities on the weekend and skipper Tom Mathieson says his side is ready to go.
“It was nice of them (Marshall) to offer that up and roll up a pretty decent wicket because our turf isn’t quite ready yet,” he said.
“Bidders (coach Craig Biddiscombe) puts a lot of thought into pre-season to make it enjoyable for the whole 50 odd. It’s been a tough preseason. We’ve done a bit of a running challenge as we’ve done the last couple of years which was good to get us ready.”
Two-day cricket returns to the GCA this season after several seasons of one-day games only and Mathieson is looking forward to the 80-overs a side version when it arrives in round six.
“I think it will probably take a little bit to adjust to knowing you’ve got more overs to play with batting wise,” he said.
“I think bowling wise it probably won’t change too much. Obviously the main bowlers will be able to bowl more, which is helpful. But batting, it might take a little bit to adjust realising that you got the extra time.
“I know we’re really excited for it because we see ourselves as probably a better two-day side with the mix we’ve got. We haven’t won a two day flag in a long time. So there’s still something to prove there.”
The Magpies will welcome South African batter Phil Visser, who made 855 runs for Waurn Ponds-Deakin last season.
Lachie Hyde returns after a season at Cobram while Blake Troy will stay in Darwin after playing the winter season in the Top End and Ajay Mada moved to Ballarat for work and will line up for Mount Clear.
Mathieson said the round one clash against East Belmont provides a real test first up.
“We’ve always had a really good rivalry, they’ve beat us in a couple of flags and we’ve beaten them in a couple,” he said.
“I think they’ll be coming in with a really strong side, so it makes it a bit more exciting.”
Even after four premierships in a row, Mathieson said there was still a lot of hunger at Osborne Park.
“We haven’t won a two-day flag for a long time so we’re keen as ever,” he said.
“I think that’s probably the ultimate goal as a cricketer is to win the two-day flag.”
The game is at Winter Reserve on Saturday October 7 at 12.15pm.
In other games, St Joseph’s hosts South Barwon at St Joseph’s College, Grovedale entertains Newtown & Chilwell at Burdoo Reserve and Lara travels to McDonald Reserve, Belmont to take on Highton.
