FIRST-round matches are always hard to predict in form and personnel, but Simon Allan is looking forward to a sense of familiarity once more.
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The 2007 EJ Cleary medallist, who made his name as a strike bowler, has returned to Ballarat-Redan and the Ballarat Cricket Association club firsts after a season-long hiatus.
Allan spent a summer plying his trade at Geelong club Lara, playing with former Combine captain-coach Chris Bambury.
He enjoyed the experience, but eventually felt it was time to return home.
“It was a good standard of cricket in Geelong, I just wanted to help the club out again,” Allan said. “I will finish out my career here now at Ballarat-Redan.”
Allan and new Combine captain Bobby Hind, who has transferred from North Ballarat, will inject vital experience to a developing A-grade team.
The Combine struggled with consistency last summer and sorely missed Allan and captain Matt Hoey, who departed the club for work commitments.
Allan said most Ballarat A-grade teams were predominantly players in their early 20s and late teenage years and hoped his time in the game could help steer the Combine.
He noted that Hind’s arrival had already made a huge impact in the clubrooms at Alfredton Oval.
“Bobby’s really changed the level of professionalism about the club since he came over to us,” Allan said.
“He’s a good role model for our younger batsmen in how he bats his time at the crease – I hope they’re watching that.”
Hind’s arrival will also allow Allister Edmends, who captained the firsts last season, a greater chance to focus on his batting.
Allan said Edmends opening the batting with Anthony Taylor and Hind likely to follow should make for a good, strong top order.
The Combine expects a tough assignment first up in Coronet City, which has recruited well and has made clear it considers the Combine a winnable target in round one.
Allan maintained a keen interest in Ballarat cricket during his time away – a dramatic summer in which the Mounties and Brown Hill seized control.
But he said his Combine had put in a good pre-season and he looked forward to testing how they measured up.
melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au