TWO gun veterans could soon return in a massive boost to St Patrick’s.
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Star batsman Luke Restall is currently away on holiday, but is set to play regularly after the Christmas break, while decorated paceman Heath Naughton hasn’t ruled out a return to the field.
Both stars would considerably boost the club’s chances of winning its first Cricket Albury-Wodonga premiership since the 2010-2011 season.
St Patrick’s captain Kane Arendarcikas said the club would ease Restall into the season.
Restall made a whopping 487 runs last season, with an average of 32.47.
“His availability is limited until Christmas, but he’s pretty right after that,” Arendarcikas said.
“It will be more of a bonus thing, rather than other years when he’s had to carry our batting hopes.”
Arendarcikas said the club was hopeful Naughton would return this season, but said he wasn’t putting any pressure on the former captain-coach.
His availability is limited until Christmas
- Kane Arendarcikas
Naughton took 20 wickets last season, bowling 29 maidens from his 136 overs.
“He hasn’t trained yet but he’s floating around the fringes,” Arendarcikas said.
“He hasn’t said he’s not (playing) but I think he’s enjoying just watching at the moment.”
Naughton wasn’t at the game on Saturday, but he would have enjoyed watching Matt Crawshaw bat.
The left-handed batsman-keeper made an unbeaten 161 to lead Patties to victory over North Albury at Bunton Park.
Arendarcikas said it was great to watch.
“I’ve been playing at the club a long time and it’s right up there,” Arendarcikas said.
“Just the poise under pressure ... he had wickets falling all around him.
“It’s good reward for him because he had a horror season last season with form and injury.
“He’s just been working and working.
“It’s a good example for the guys around his age that you can turn it around.”
Crawshaw started last season in first grade, but he finished the season in second grade, making 22 in the grand final win over North Albury.
But a big summer in the nets paid off at the weekend, when he batted right through the innings to reach triple figures.
North Albury looked home when it had Patties 9-230, but Crawshaw had other ideas, putting on 66 with Cooper Page (1*) for the last wicket.
“For two younger players to have that presence of mind to work out the best way to attack it was fantastic,” Arendarcikas said.
“All we were thinking is, Let’s hope he gets his 100’, and obviously Matty had other ideas.”
Naughton, meanwhile, is coaching the under-18 North East Knights team at the Victorian Country Championships in January.
His squad of 13 includes the likes of Wangaratta Magpies star Bradley Melville and City Colts star Fraser Ellis.
The Knights made the quarter-finals last year.
“I’d like to think we could go one step further but we are up against some quality players,” Naughton said.
