Broomhall boosts Peaks’ depth ahead of opener

Manypeaks coach Langley Angel hopes there is still plenty of room for improvement in the settled and experienced Peaks squad ahead of the new Albany Cricket Association A-grade season, which begins this Saturday.

Many predicted Peaks would progress to another grand final last season but they were bundled out in the preliminary final by North County in dramatic fashion.

But Peaks have had an off-season win, snaring all-rounder Harry Broomhall from the Bulldogs in a decisive boost to their hopes of taking the next step. Broomhall joins his third club in three seasons, having previously played for the Bulldogs and Royals, and will add much-needed impetus to the Peaks’ batting line-up.

Player-coach Angel confirmed Broomhall had been snared from North County and would be a vital all-round inclusion. “Harry is going to be a good acquisition and give us some good depth with our batting and bowling,” he said.

“Hopefully, he can really cement his spot where he should be in A-grade cricket in Albany and be part of club with a strong culture which will bring the best out of him.”

The nucleus of Peaks’ line-up remains, but they will have to deal with the loss of last season’s recruit Brendan Grogan, who led the bowling attack with 23 wickets, while batsman Bryce Durack will sit out the season after suffering a serious finger injury late last season. Seamers Matt Hope, Warwick Durack and Myles O’Meehan, along with Broomhall, are expected to shoulder the bowling workload complemented by the experienced spin trio of captain Craig Sinclair, vice-captain Ryan Kinnear and former captain Jeremy Stewart.

Angel expects youngsters Seb Stanton and Heath Brown to be exposed to A-grade cricket.

“We have a good core of players who have been around since I have and before I was around, and it will be a case to get our young guys up to speed and fast-track them,” he said. Peaks travel to take on Mt Barker at Sounness Park for round 1 this Saturday.