Mil Lel seeks cricket honour

Mil Lel seeks cricket honour

Mil Lel hopes to take the next step in its steady rise up the Barber Shield ladder this summer after a solid build up.

In 2018-19 Mil Lel managed just the one victory, but defeated front runners South Gambier and North Sportsman’s last season.

This summer the team hopes to harness that potential and become a potent threat for a finals berth.

The side will be led by Jack Miller for a second-straight campaign and has already played a competitive fixture.

Recently Mil Lel took on Mount Lofty in the rivals’ annual Twenty20 exhibition game and Miller said he liked the first on-pitch performance of 2020-21.

“It was a good hit against the Mount Lofty boys,” he said.

“Jordan Neis-beer used to play for us and brings his boys down each year and we even play for a cup.

“We batted first and made around 120 and bowled them out for 80 odd.

“It was good to get a win and bring people together after everything that went on.”

The strong team effort arrived after a solid month- long preseason.

Mil Lel has utilised its Frew Park outdoor nets and Mount Gambier High School’s indoor facility to prepare for the summer and Miller is delighted with the players’ commitment.

He said the club had strength in numbers with teams listed in every grade.

“For once in a couple years numbers at training have been unreal,” Miller said.

“We have filled all three senior teams, which is good considering we did not have a C Grade last year.

“There is also a full field in the juniors with two Under 12 teams and a women’s outfit, so Tuesday and Thursday nights have been pretty full on.

“We are in a healthy state numbers wise, but it would be nice to start putting some results on the board.”

The A Grade line up has been shaken up slightly after the departure of two key players.

Promising youngsters Ben Thiel and Tom Nieuwerkerk have both left the club to fulfil university commitments in Adelaide, which leaves a major hole in the Mil Lel team.

Thiel and Nieuwerkerk were the club’s two leading wicket takers in 2019-20 with 12 and eight poles respectively.

The pair accounted for almost half of Mil Lel’s scalps last season and now more pressure will be placed on the shoulders of fast bowler Jonathan Allcock and captain Miller.

Carey Megaw is expected to swap the gloves for the Kookaburra after Mil Lel poached wicketkeeper Brodie Glynn from South Gambier, with three others also in the pipeline.

Familiar faces Craig Lock, Daniel Justin and Paul Harding will return to the top of the batting order, while Todd Carpenter will lead the B Grade side and Josh Jantosh is expected to play after Christmas.

With juniors also coming through the ranks led by Darcy Williamson and Mitchell Little, Miller hopes Mil Lel’s depth can continue the club’s rise and seal a top-four finish.

“We want players to perform huge roles in the reserves and juniors to push into A Grade spots,” he said.

“This will hopefully create pressure on spots which is the main thing this year.

“We will play every game on its merits and take it as it comes, but know if we play at our best we will definitely be up for the finals challenge.”

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