Katamatite CC ticking all of the recruiting boxes

In Damian Cupido, Katamatite has found a first-drop batter who will also take the gloves behind the stumps, while Jimmy Irvine comes to the club with a searing left-arm and the ability to use it superbly.

“It's good to add in a few more good cricketers,’’ skipper Brayden Beaton said.

“Them living around the area is great too, we haven't had to go and look overseas which is almost impossible at the moment.

“I played with Damian down in Melbourne and him moving up to Shepp presented an opportunity to come across.

“He'll bat three and keep for us.

“It's always good to add a left-armer as well, especially in this comp, and that's what Jimmy brings to us.

“He's 23-24, in that nice age bracket, and has just bought a house in Tungamah and come across with a few of the boys that play footy over there.’’

Cupido boasts 4702 runs at an average of almost 40 with the bat in more than 150 matches across his district cricket career, while Irvine's 330 wickets have come at an average of 11.6.

But the Tigers will also look forward to the progression of their home-grown cricketers, with plenty of junior faces tasting senior action last summer.

“A few of the younger ones played a fair bit of senior and A-grade cricket last season and that will really help their development,’’ Beaton said.

“Kepler Lukies is one, at just 14 years old played basically a full season in A-grade last year.

“He just fits in so well — you watch him in the nets facing up against some of these big fast bowlers and it's just like he's at junior training, it doesn't faze him at all.

“We're not sure when the season will kick off, but the sooner the better for us.

“Lots of boys had their footy seasons cut short, so the players are probably buying into cricket a bit more just craving that sporting outlet.

“Hopefully once we get out there we can have a COVID-free summer.’’