Newly appointed Buninyong captain David Ellis sees a real opportunity for the club to take the next step up in its fourth season in the Ballarat Cricket Association firsts competition.
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Ellis said Buninyong had laid a strong foundation and now was the time to maximise the talent it had.
This will be his third season with Buninyong after a decorated career with Wendouree.
Ellis joined Buninyong in its first season at the BCA's top level in 2018-19 - going across with Red Caps teammate Liam Brady.
He played just two games in that season, but managed eight in 2019-20 before succumbing to a knee injury suffered against Ballarat-Redan.
It was the same knee issue which was a major factor in Ellis not playing at all last summer.
Ellis said the injury took a while to get over and rest was the best course of action.
He said a season off had refreshed him and rekindled his passion for the game.
Brady, who is again coaching Bunninyong, said Ellis' leadership and experience would add much to the club as a whole.
He said a team could never have too much experience..
"It's an important addition for us," Brady said.
Ellis is not new to captaincy.
He was appointed Wendouree firsts captain in 2013-14 after playing in five premierships.
Ellis averaged 68 run with Buninyong in 2018-19 and followed up with an average of 32 the next season.
Brady said Ellis would slot into the middle order.
Buninyong will be pressing to play in its first finals series next season.
The Bunnies finished sixth with seven wins in 2018-19, eighth with five wins and a draw in 2019-20 and eighth with four wins and two draws last season.
Brady said the club was not expecting any player losses from its firsts.
MEANWHILE, Mt Clear has announced the reappointed of Jacob Smith as senior coach.
It will be his second season in the position.
Mt Clear finished third in the firsts competition last season, but bowed out in the first week of finals under a new top six format.
AMONG early player movements, Napoleons-Sebastopol has secured the services of North Ballarat pace bowler Jacob Coxall.
He first played firsts for the Roosters in 2015-16.
Coxall has been in and out of the firsts since. He played the last seven games of North Ballarat's campaign last season, including two finals.
He returned career-best figures of 3-38 in 2019-20.
Naps-Sebas has also confirmed all-rounder and reigning club champion Sajith Dissanayaka is returning.
