BCA season preview: Ballarat-Redan

After winning its first game, the club didn't record another victory until round 11 of the 2019-20 Ballarat Cricket Association campaign.

However, a strong finish might have provided a glimpse of what is to come for the 2020-21 season.

"We won four of our last five to finish last year, so we'll certainly take confidence from that for the start of this season," Ballarat-Redan captain Chris Egan said.

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Former Brown Hill co-captain Matt Sandford headlined the new recruits for the Two Swords. He was joined by talented youngsters Jack Riding, James Doherty and Daniel Lalor from the Melbourne premier ranks.

Riding made big scores with Geelong in the premier seconds last season, while Doherty played premier third grade at Footscray. Both played with Ballarat-Redan as juniors.

Lalor however, is a Bacchus Marsh native and is a premier second grade player with Northcote.

The club also added opening bowler Nathan Patrikeos, who returned after a few seasons off.

"We are stoked to get Nath back, we needed that real genuine quick up top. He's massive and the other guys are all top class top to middle order batsman," Egan said.

Meanwhile the club said goodbye to reigning EJ Cleary medalist Sam Burgess. The English all-rounder had expressed a desire to return to the Two Swords, however he was unable to board a plane from the UK due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We'll definitely miss him but we are hoping with the five inclusions, we'll cover him pretty well," Egan said.

"We are optimistic about our chances this year, we certainly think we'll improve on where we finished last year."

Ballarat-Redan will face one of the tougher fixtures to begin the year. The club will open the season against Wendouree before playing Mt Clear and reigning premiers Darley in the opening three rounds.

Egan said early wins would be vital to cementing a place in the upper echelon. He said the club was looking forward to the challenge.

"We've got a tough draw to start the season but if we can get some early wins away it will set us up for a good year," he said.

"It will be a good test for us to see where we are out."