With the Ballarat Cricket Association season finally upon us, the excitement for the return of community sport is building following a long lay-off.
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Team announcements show some new faces making their debuts in round one, while some familiar faces will don new colours following off-season movement.
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Mt Clear, fresh from a third-placed finish last season and a qualifying final loss to Darley, will welcome former Wendouree all-rounder Tom Le Lievre for his club debut.
Le Lievre was the leading wicket taker for Wendouree last season, with 26 wickets at an average of 16.
The youngster will be a welcomed addition as Mt Clear take on North Ballarat in what should be an entertaining round one match-up.
The Roosters will welcome a bowling addition of their own, with recruit Mohan Bandara selected to make his debut for the club.
Bandara will be some welcomed assistance for fellow quick Ash McCafferty.
Bandara crossed from Horsham Cricket Association club Homers in the off-season, where he picked up 53 wickets at an average of 13.96 in his two years in the Wimmera.
Napoleons-Sebastopol will begin its season with three key recruits named to make their club debuts.
Viraj Pushpakumara, who crossed from Brown Hill in the off-season, is set to don the green and gold for the first time.
Pushpakumara, who had first class experience in his native Sri Lanka, enjoyed a strong 2020-21 campaign, picking up 17 wickets and making 303 runs.
Jacob Coxall will join Pushpakumara in making his club debut after crossing from North Ballarat.
Jacob Ramsey will begin his career at his new club, the top-order batsman having previously played with Diamond Creek in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association.
The three recruits are welcomed additions to Napoleons-Sebastopol's side, who are vying to climb the ladder after a 10th-placed finish in 2020-21.
After a four-win season in 2020-21, Buninyong will welcome Travis Parsons to the side for the opening round in a huge clash with East Ballarat.
The side is aiming to replicate more of its 2018-19 season form, its first in the competition, where it won seven games and was a finals chance.
East Ballarat will welcome new coach Adam Eddy for his first game in charge.
Eddy is charged with trying to lead the Hawks to finals success after they were bundled out in a qualifying final by Golden Point last season.
FIXTURE (all games set for 12pm start)
Brown Hill v Darley at Western Oval
Ballarat-Redan v Naps-Sebas at Alfredton
North Ballarat v Mt Clear, Northern Oval
Golden Point v Wendouree, at Eastern Oval
East Ballarat v Buninyong, at Russell Square
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