CRICKET
TDCA
VETERAN all-rounder Travis Switzer will captain Gormandale Cricket Club this season following Adrian Burgiel’s decision to step down to focus on batting.
Switzer achieved past success as skipper before handing the armband to Kent Hammond, and has led Traralgon to Country Week and Gippsland Cricket League glory in previous years.
The club held its first official training session at the weekend where Switzer began to address the complacency which plagued Gormandale last season in its runner-up finish to Ex Students.
“I think everyone would agree that we might have been a bit complacent at times last year,” Switzer said.
“This is about making sure we put in the hard work and… I think we can work a bit harder on the training track and I think we can be a bit more focused come finals time.
“There’s been a bit of change but I think that’s going to reinvigorate the place a bit.”
Among a spate of changes are the installation of Jason Membrey as president and the recruitment of: Sale Maffra Cricket Association star Stuart Anderson and promising teenager Alistair Jenkin, who returns to the club following a three-year stint with Casey South Melbourne.
The two major signings reflect the mixture of youth and experience which Switzer believes will define the new look Tigers, with youngsters Chris Bell and Tate Marsh also likely to play a role in the A grade team.
“We are experienced and I think a lot of clubs might be saying that we’re past it because we’ve got a few older players. That’s why I’m keen to see a bit of a transition,” Switzer said.
“While we’re still strong and still competitive I think it’s important to blood as many younger players as we can and once they’re in there I’d like to see them get some good opportunities as well.
“Some of our more experienced players have probably been there and done that and are ready to compromise and be flexible and make sure we get some of these young guys through.
“It’s a pretty good mix of kids under that 18 to 19 mark and if we can add those guys into the mix of guys like Stuart Anderson, Kent Hammond, Adrian Burgiel, Grantley Switzer and those types of players, I think they’ll learn a lot from those guys.”
