Onerahi Central are anticipating the return of several stalwarts, who club captain Ross Kneebone said should make last year's championship-winning side even stronger.
Damian Banks, Chris Harrison, Jamie Burgess and Andy McDowell were expected to make their comebacks for the 2009-2010 season, Kneebone said.
"All four have been big run scorers in
the past and I'm confident that once the season proper starts, they will start to hit their straps," he said.
While a few old heads were returning, several of last year's winning team were unavailable for the new season, which starts next month.
"Onerahi's professional Greg Strydom, who did a massive job with both bat and ball last season, has not renewed his contract this season and wicket keeper Geoff Burgess is unavailable because of work commitments," Kneebone said.
Added to that, the club captain will try his hand at umpiring this season, instead of donning the whites, after he shouldered much of the bowling during the 2008/09 competition and deemed it time for retirement.
A core of the side remains, however, including Harley Dyke, Craig Russell, Sean Doel, Thomas Keogh, Nick Breslin, Derrick Bon, Ryan Waller and Aaron Bradley, plus new faces added to the mix will make it an exciting time for Onerahi.
If these players perform consistently like many of them during the last competition, Onerahi had another successful season in store, Kneebone said.
All-rounder Breslin was one player Kneebone reckoned would be in for a big season.
Breslin is involved with the Northland hockey side and he is keen to push his way into the Northland cricket team, too.
"With more responsibility on him this season, he should step up with both bat and ball," he said.
Meanwhile, two new players had been capturing the eye in the Onerahi Central nets to date. "Adam Sylva is the new-ball bowler who has had the guys hopping around in the nets with his lively medium pacers.
"Thomas Jones is another new player who looks like he could develop into a useful all-rounder," Kneebone said.
Still talking the talk at this stage was the "evergreen Gary Trigg", who was threatening to make a comeback.
The club season gets under way on October 3.
