Shane Jones (bowling) has crossed over from Footscray Edgewater to St Albans. 71603_25 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By LIAM TWOMEY
ST ALBANS Cricket Club pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups of the off-season by signing former Premier Cricket all-rounder Shane Jones for 2012/13.
It is the second time Jones has made the move from playing with Footscray Edgewater to join St Albans after representing the club when he had an injured shoulder four years ago.
In that season he was unable to bowl. However, this year he is fully fit and according to club president Ian Mackenzie, ready for a big year.
Mackenzie said that while it was great to have someone of Jones’ experience to assist the team with its on field performance, one of the biggest advantages was having the all-rounder help the club’s junior players.
“He played with us a couple of years ago and it is great to have him back,” Mackenzie said.
“It is usually the top division clubs that secure the former Premier Cricketers so to get Shane is a big get for us.
“He has absolutely had a great impact with those young blokes, especially in the nets. He gets behind the nets and gives them some guidance. Hopefully that brings that extra level of professionalism that we need.”
Mackenzie is hoping Jones could be the missing link to help his club take the next step and climb the grades of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
St Albans has made finals in the past five years but failed to progress into a grand final.
Last season the club was again knocked out in disappointing fashion against East Keilor, losing by just 13 runs.
However, with Jones batting in the top order and bowling off-spin, that could all be about to change.
“We are striving to get up to the grand final and having a go at another level,” Mackenzie said.
“That is our long term plan, to be in that top division in another three or four years and we need to start by getting into a grand final.
“We keep getting knocked out in semi-finals and a lot of that has been through our own fault and sometimes the weather steps in and takes it out of our control,” he said.
“If we can just tidy our batting up and a couple of young blokes improve we hope to get over that level. The last couple of years our batting has let us down in the semi and we haven’t been able to put our heads down. Hopefully Shane brings that experience.”
