Newcastle District Cricket Association: Season preview for 2020-21

FOR the first time since World War II there were no finals held and no premiers crowned at the end of last Newcastle District Cricket Association season.

Wallsend had been on a roll when COVID-19 brought the competition to a halt in mid March. Wests, University and Merewether were also in the mix while Hamwicks uncharacteristically missed the semis despite claiming the Tom Locker Cup and T20 titles.

So has the ensuing break helped or hindered upcoming campaigns and who has landed where for 2020-21?

NSW Country representative Aaron Wivell

WESTS

Captain: James King

Last Premiership: 17-18

Last Season: Second

In: Joseph Price (full time),Stewart Morgan (returning).

Out: Puru Gaur (Randwick - Sydney).

Bottom Line: The Rosellas are shaping up nicely this summer. Core squad stays together again. All-rounder Price can win games with both bat and ball. Gaur's patience at the top of the order will be missed.

Prediction: First

Wallsend youngster Jacob Page

WALLSEND

Captain: Nathan Price

Last Premiership: 06-07

Last Season: Minor Premiers

In: Alex Seamer (Kurri Weston - Maitland), Umar Padana (Pakistan).

Out: Gary Geise (not playing).

Bottom Line: The loss of Geise hurts the Tigers' bowling attack but they still have two-time player of the year Price and reigning award recipient Jacob Montgomery in the ranks.

Prediction: Second

Rhys Hanlon and Ben Balcomb combine for Hamwicks

HAMILTON-WICKHAM

Captain: Matt Webber

Last Premiership: 16-17

Last Season: Fifth

In: Jackson Coote (Orange).

Out: Kain Anderson(Sydney Cricket Club).

Bottom Line: The depature of off-spinner Anderson has been softened by the signing of former NSW Country quick Coote. Webber twins, Sam and Matt, always dangerous.

Prediction: Third

Merewether all-rounder Zac McGuigan

MEREWETHER

Captain: Simon Moore

Last Premiership: 15-16

Last Season: Fourth

In: Sam O'Sullivan (City).

Out: None.

Bottom Line: The Lions have retained the bulk of existing squad, spearheaded by veterans Moore, Tim O'Neill and Josh Geary, while the arrival of seamer O'Sullivan adds extra depth.

Prediction: Fourth

Charlestown opening bowler Rory Madison

CHARLESTOWN

Captain: Jed Dickson

Last Premiership: 05-06

Last Season: Sixth

In: Daniel Chillingworth (full time), Michael Richardson (returning), Kaleb Daley (Wyong - Central Coast), Prasith Niluminda Sudusinghe (Cranbourne - VIC).

Out: Harry Gadd (UK), Jackson Mace (not playing), Josh Hardy (Waratah).

Bottom Line: Wickets, courtesy of Isaac Wallace and Rory Maddison, weren't an issue for the Magpies last season. However, runs were a sticking point. Should find themselves in the mix.

Prediction: Fifth

University skipper Andrew Harriott

UNIVERSITY

Captain: Andrew Harriott

Last Premiership: 10-11

Last Season: Third

In: None.

Out: Matt Gawthrop, Luke Bird, James Rushford, Liam McKechnie (not playing).

Bottom Line: Some big holes in the Sea Dragons' first XI with several long-term players not going around again. Keeper-batsman Harriott sets for his second stint as skipper.

Prediction: Sixth

Belmont paceman Dan Bailey

BELMONT

Captain: Marcus Hainsworth

Last Premiership: 08-09

Last Season: Seventh

In: Ray Cooper (returning), Jamie Heath (full time).

Out: Marcus O'Riordan (Kent - English County Championships), Alec Jakeman (Uk).

Bottom Line: Cooper and Heath add potency to pace attack alongside last season's leading wicket taker Dan Bailey. Batting the question mark, but rookie Joey Gillard returns.

Prediction: Seventh

Stockton in the field last summer

STOCKTON & NORTHERN DISTRICTS

Captain: Nick Foster

Last Premiership: 04-05

Last Season: Ninth

In: Tom O'Neill (full time), Trent Park (Easts - Maitland), Alex McNeill (South Tamworth), Jake Hainsworth (City), Cody Edstein-Boyes (returning).

Out: Jeff Goninan (not playing),Rehan Ratnasabapathy (UK), Liam Johnson (not playing).

Bottom Line: O'Neill will compliment Foster in the bowling rotation. An injection of youth hoping to blend with some experienced campaigners.

Prediction: Eighth

Waratah-Mayfield captain Nathan Hudson

WARATAH-MAYFIELD

Captain: Nathan Hudson

Last Premiership: 96-97

Last Season: Eleventh

In: Jonty Durrheim (full time),Muhammad Irfan jnr (Wests - Sydney),Alex Taylor (Wests - ACT),Josh McTaggart (Wingham),Josh Hardy (Charlestown).

Out: Asher Robins (not playing).

Bottom Line: The Waratahs have recruited well. Irfan jnr has same name but not the former first-class player who took hat-trick in Sydney first grade last season.

Prediction: Ninth

Brendon Charlton playing SF for Toronto in 2018-19

TORONTO

Captain: Adrian Chad

Last Premiership: 18-19

Last Season: Twelfth

In: Chad (full time),Brendon Charlton (Northern Power - Central Coast), Matthew Clarke (Northern Power - Central Coast), Jamie Larsen (Piranhas - Cessnock).

Out: Andrew Sommerville (not playing), Peter Spur (injured).

Bottom Line: It's been a rollercoaster two seasons for the Kookaburras, going from premiers to wooden sponners. Should improve.

Prediction: Tenth

City's Angus McTaggart

NEWCASTLE CITY

Captain: Jonty Major

Last Premiership: 75-76

Last Season: Tenth

In: Lewis Hextall (NDs - Sydney).

Out: Sam O'Sullivan (Merewether), Jake Hainsworth (Stockton).

Bottom Line: Hextall back helps but loss of O'Sullivan hurts. The Sabres remain a young squad. No.1 Sportsground out of action.

Prediction: Eleventh

BCs player Adam Winchester

CARDIFF-BOOLAROO

Captain: Matt Willett

Last Premiership: 09-10

Last Season: Eighth

In: Baylee Borrow (Tenambit Morpeth - Maitland).

Out: Sudhanshu Gundeti (India), Dan Carter (UK), Matt Bennison (UK).

Bottom Line: Coronavirus has impacted CBs more than any other club, now minus three overseas players who were all key contributers.

Prediction: Twelfth