Big shoes to fill in side’s top order

The competition’s hopes that Railways will be brought back to the pack this Albany Cricket Association A-grade season could eventuate, with a number of big omissions from last season.

The departure of Railways’ two highest-scoring batsmen, Mark Natale and Zane Marwick, is set to shake up the competition this season.

Along with Natale and Marwick, middle order power hitter Matt Walters, fast bowler Jack Richards and Englishman Hasnain Nawaz have all left after being a part of their sixth straight premier-ship.

With Marwick leaving, all-rounder Nathan Crudeli has taken over the captaincy role.

The loss of some big-name players will provide more opportunities for others to step up.

“The top order has massive shoes to fill,” Crudeli said.

“It will be a great opportunity for Coen Marwick and Aidan Dallimore to bat more overs up front and take on that responsibility.”

Crudeli said getting the season off to a positive start would be key.

“We’re hoping to pick up where we left off last year and start the year strong,” he said.

“We are taking a lot of confidence out of last season. Everyone stood up when needed, especially our young guns, who showed a lot and stood up in the big games.

“There is so much talent at the club, we need to continue to take the game on and play an exciting brand of cricket.”

Crudeli said there was no reason the Tigers could not be there at the pointy end of the season once again.

“It’s going to be such an even competition this year,” he said.

“Hopefully we can start well and put ourselves in a position to go deep in the finals.”

Youngsters Aubin Spurr and Flynn Cristinelli have joined the powerhouse team, while Simon Harvey has also joined the Tigers.

Railways will be looking for a seventh straight A-grade grand final. They start their campaign against Denmark this weekend.