Shepparton United has pulled off the biggest coup, signing former Sri Lankan under-23 representative Chaminda Vidanapathirana as its coach for the coming Cricket Shepparton season.
A fast bowler, 36-year-old Vidanapathirana boasts a ripping 295 wickets at 26.9 in first-class cricket and will add plenty to an already talented Kangaroos bowling outfit.
He joins from Victorian Sub-District Cricket Associations club Preston, where he claimed the league’s bowling average honours last season with 26 wickets at 13.9.
Vidanapathirana’s three-year stint at Preston ended with 54 wickets at 25.4 as well as 807 runs at 22.4.
Elsewhere across the Cricket Shepparton sphere, Tatura confirmed rising star Michael Archer would captain the club’s A-grade side this season.
Archer takes the reins from outgoing skipper Tim Kelly, and will look to spearhead the side’s return to the pointy-end of the competition after missing finals last campaign.
Vice-captain last season, Archer also captained the Northern Rivers’ under-21 side to the final of the Victorian Country Cricket League competition.
Kyabram confirmed the reappointment of its A and B-grade captains, with Kyle Mueller and Jason Leocata to steer their respective ships once more.
Mueller took the Redbacks to the finals last season while producing outrageous numbers with the willow, carving 512 runs at 64 including two centuries.
Leocata oversaw the Redbacks’ brilliant campaign in the second tier, helping the side claim the premiership in comprehensive fashion against Numurkah.
In Goulburn Murray Cricket’s A-grade division, Tongala has lured across Tatura all-rounder Josh Thurston to try and help the club take the next step.
Thurston made 290 runs at 29 for the Bulldogs last season as well as taking 10 wickets at 29.4, but has three seasons of more than 20 wickets in Cricket Shepparton A-grade.
He seems a logical fit for the Blues, who could do with a touch more depth with bat and ball this season after getting close to a grand final appearance.