By Tyler Lewis
The Berwick Cricket Club has never struggled in the fast-bowler department.
And the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) powerhouse will deepen its ranks, adding Berwick boy and former Tasmanian quick, Andrew Perrin.
Fresh off a Victorian Premier Cricket First XI premiership with Prahran, the right-arm seamer will return to the Bears with 113 Premier Cricket First XI games, and three first-class matches, under his belt.
By the time the season comes around, Perrin will be 31, leaving plenty in the tank for a long stint with the 2019/20 Turf 1 premiers.
Over his career at Premier level, Perrin collected 205 wickets for his four clubs, Casey-South Melbourne, Dandenong, Fitzroy Doncaster and finally Prahran.
Perrin’s 205 scalps at Premier level came at an average of just 19.86, he also collected eight five-wicket hauls.
The speedster last had a stint with the Bears in season 2011/12, where he snagged 31 wickets from just 13 games.
Berwick vice-president and head of recruiting Andrew Mazzagatti spoke to the Gazette today, speaking of how pleased he was of the addition of Perrin.
“It’s very exciting, Andrew has history at Berwick,” Mazzagatti said.
“As soon as we knew he was available, it didn’t take long for us to get the deal done.
“It’s a good attack, when you add Perrin, Wilcock and Jarrod Goodes – three handy bowlers.
“We will have a couple kids go through the system to assist them as well.
“There is still plenty of opportunity for our home-bred guys to work closely with a good bowling attack,” Mazzagatti said.
At a young age, the long term prospect of Perrin suits the club as the Bears don’t see why he wouldn’t hang around beyond his current two-year signing.
“It did cross our mind, Andrew has committed for two years,” he said.
“We can’t see why he wouldn’t continue on past that, I think the mix or experience with Andrew, Wilcock and Goodes will hold us in good stead for the upcoming season.
“Hallam were too good for us on the day, and we have obviously lost Kellepotha to Casey.
“It was important for us to source a bowler, to help the team and develop the younger guys as well.
“Perrin is excited about being back, he is over the moon, it has been 10 years, he is very excited to be back at Berwick,” Mazzagatti said.
It’s been a bumper off-season around the DDCA Turf 1 competition.
Here are some of the early off-season moves:
BERWICK:
Out: Ruwantha Kellepotha (Casey-South Melbourne), Josh Holden (Buckley Ridges), Brendan Rose (Premier Cricket), Cory Bevan (Knoxfield)
In: Andrew Perrin (Prahran)
The Bears have lost its Wookey Medal champion Ruwantha Kellepotha, but the arrival of Perrin gives the club one of the most tantalising pace bowling attacks anywhere in local cricket. Last year’s grand finalist won’t stop at Perrin, there is plenty more in the works, keep your eyes peeled for more from this proud club.
SPRINGVALE SOUTH:
Out: Nathan King (relocating), Clint Tomlinson (retired)
In: Josh Dowling (Narre South)
Ex-Casey South Melbourne quick Josh Dowling crosses after a strong stint with Narre South and will form a potent new-ball duo with Matt Wetering.
BUCKLEY RIDGES:
In: Nimesh Kariyawasam (North Dandenong), Ben Wright (Overseas), Josh Holden (Berwick)
Out: Ian Cockbain, Benny Howell
Buckley Ridges could potentially add West Indian all-rounder Jerome Jones to its mix again, depending on the border situation.
NARRE SOUTH:
In: Jonty Jenner (returning)
Out: Josh Dowling (Springvale South), Scott Phillips (Williamstown Imperials)
The club has also re-signed Wookey Medallist Morteza Ali and Kaushalya Weeraratne, while also appointing gun batsman Kyle Hardy as captain. Jersey cricket gun Jonty Jenner returns in a major boost for the Lions’ middle order.
