South Gambier prepares to launch an assault for the 2020-21 Barber Shield after it lost last season’s semi-final by a slender margin.
The Demons appeared one of the favourites for the premiership last summer,but were pipped at the post by East Gambier by two wickets in the sudden-death battle.
However, the disappointment has made the squad hungrier for success, which will be led by a new face.
Last season’s captain David Somerfield has stepped back from the role and handed the baton over to all-rounder James Dunn.
Dunn arrived at Blue Lake Sports Park last summer and made an immediate impact with 270 runs and 20 wickets across all formats.
He has not captained a team for over a decade, but performed the role for one season in Melbourne and two years for English club Northop Hall, which included former Pakistani Test and ODI bowler Ata-ur-Rehman.
Dunn said he looked forward to the challenge and had a couple of areas in mind to help his settled squad continue to perform.
“It is an exciting time,” he said.
“We feel like we can make a few small adjustments from last season and go another step to make the grand final.
“We don’t need to change too much, but one percenters can make a massive difference in cricket.
“Most of the team is going to remain the same, but in my mind I want to start getting a few younger players into the senior ranks.
“We had the best numbers for a long time in our last training session, so we are building into the season nicely.”
South upped its game last summer and made the jump from being a dark horse to a contender with a strong all-round side.
Somerfield led from the front in both disciplines and smashed a century in a 348-run campaign.
He will continue to be the key batsman for the Demons but will receive strong support from the likes of Josh Thompson, David Vine and Dunn.
South’s biggest strength is with the ball and its same attack is ready to fire again with speed, swing, seam and spin all on offer.
Robert Drenthen, Dunn, Adam Kuhl, Camron Jorgensen and Daniel Loupos claimed 64 wickets collectively to form a potent combination.
The Demons are also specialists with the white ball having won three straight Big Bash Twenty20 Cups and Dunn hopes the run of success continues and the form can also translate to red-ball cricket.
He said the goal was to take home both the Barber Shield and the T20 trophy this season.
“You have to strive for the premiership,” Dunn said.
“You can’t be happy being knocked out in the semi-finals, so the goal is to win and nothing short of a grand final showing.”
