Harvey Benger Cricket Club ready to go with 2022-23 season set to kick off against Marist on October 22

It might only have been a few weeks since the Harvey Bulls wrapped up their SWFL season, but the rollers have already come on to the turf at the Harvey Recreation Ground as their summer counterparts take charge of the pitch. Players from the Harvey Benger Cricket Club are set to return from their winter hiatus this weekend to take their place in the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association’s 2022-23 season. The club will field two sides this season, with a second grade team and fourth grade team to represent the two localities in this summer’s regional competition. The second grade team is hoping to be more competitive this season after just missing out on a spot in the finals earlier this year. They will be assisted in their mission by the club’s first English import in a number of years. Up and coming 18-year-old pace bowler Robert Turner will play for the side in the upcoming season, with HBCC president Haydn Jones noting the buzz around his first training session. “The club can’t wait for him to charge in with the new ball come round one,” he said. The second grade side will also be bolstered by former premiership captain Scott Fowler, who will return to his leadership position this season. After coming off a grand final victory in the 2021-22 season, the fourth grade side will be hoping to make it back to back this season. Captain Rowan Morrison said he was confident they would be competitive again this season. “We’ve had some player turnover from the premiership-winning side, but have been happy to see new faces at training and would encourage anyone interested in playing to come join us at either of our Tuesday or Thursday afternoon training sessions,” he said. In the juniors competition, the HBCC will field a premiership-winning Year 8 team as well as a Year 6 contingent. HBCC’s two senior teams will face Marist Cricket Club in their first matches of the season on Saturday. The club is hoping the games will provide an early indication of their chances this summer, with Marist expected to produce strong teams in both grades. Second grade start their season playing at Forrest Park, while the fourth grade will start round one at home at the Harvey Recreation Ground.