Ready for title defence

By Gus Underwood

Oct 2, 2024

Cricket Shepparton’s 2023-24 Haisman Shield premier Kyabram will begin its defence with a home match against Nagambie on October 5. Photo by Liam Nash

Defending premier Kyabram will host Nagambie in the opening round of Cricket Shepparton’s Haisman Shield competition on Saturday, October 5.

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It will be the first of 13 home-and-away rounds, which will feature seven one-day and six two-day games.

Saturday’s season opener will be a one-day game, the first of five one-dayers to usher in the new season.

One of Kyabram’s recruits Shafiq Masroofkher is due to arrive from England today.

He plays for the same English club as spinner Louis Sabbah-Holt, who has returned for another season with the Kyabram Cricket Club after an impressive debut season with the club in 2023-24.

Masroofkher is a seamer who reputedly comes off the wicket with surprising pace and is expected to make his mark at his new club.

Former Kyabram junior and Fire Brigade all-rounder Jack Donnell will also be a welcome new face in the Kyabram side.

The only losses from last season’s premiership line-up will be all-rounder Angus McKenzie who is trying his luck with Premier League club Fitzroy-Doncaster and batsman and Tongala’s football captain Kyle Fitzgerald who will spend the summer in Darwin playing football.

Northerners Cricket Club is not fielding an A-grade side this season, but Pine Lodge has taken its place and faces perennial finalists Katandra first up.

Early flag favourite is Waaia and the side has been bolstered with some overseas imports after straight sets exits the finals in the past two years.

By Gus Underwood

Sports reporter