Perth Doo’cot Cricket Club begin their SPCU North East Championship campaign on Saturday afternoon.
And coach Usman Saeed is planning for the home opener against Arbroath to set the tone for the rest of the season.
Preparations have gone very well with Saeed overseeing well-attended net sessions as well as three confidence-boosting friendly victories against Renfrew, Stenhousemuir and Falkland.
Youngster Tassawar Hussain is set to be an important player with bat and ball after two interrupted seasons and much will be expected of him, along with his brother, Musakhar, who has enjoyed success in the friendlies.
A new addition is Babar Ali, who has an excellent background from cricket in Pakistan and is now studying at nearby Dundee University.
There is still the prospect of an overseas amateur from India but that will not be in place for this weekend.
The batting line-up has certainly been bolstered over the winter and, with last year’s strong bowling attack all returning, hopes are high that the first XI will challenge in the top half of the league.
Ahead of welcoming Arbroath to Doo’cot Park, Saeed told the PA that morale in the camp is certainly high.
“To be honest I wasn’t just looking for results in the friendlies,” he explained.
“Yes, we got them and that is very good for the morale. What matters is how we now do in the league matches.
“But our morale is high, we have a decent team and the youngsters are coming in. It’s going to be fun this year.
“I think this is the seventh year I have come here and now the team is a stronger one. Cricket is a team game and we will perform as a team.”
Saeed continued: “The first game is always important and that sets the tone.
“In the second game we then come up against Freuchie, who have a decent pro fast bowler.
“That is going to be a challenge but it will be a great boost for us if we can get the win this weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to the first game and then we will just take it as it comes.”
Saeed’s role at Doo’cot Park will see him coach a range of ages at the club and, this time round, he has been impressed with the eagerness and early commitment shown at training sessions.
“I know the club, from youths to the oldest,” he said. “I have seen the youngsters and know where they need to improve.
“As a coach, it is going to be a responsibility to do as well as I can for them and make sure they are getting better. From when I was here last, some of the younger guys are now preparing to come into the second team and others I won’t be surprised if they make the first team to unleash their talent.
“There are good numbers of youngsters and that can only be promising for the club.
“But it also depends on the players and how keen they are to improve their skills as cricketers.”
The second XI, meanwhile, start their defence of the SPCU Division One title with a short trip to Inchture to play Rossie Priory. While St Andrews Uni Staff have pulled out of the league, Meigle second XI have taken their place and so, yet again, some excellent cricket is in store over the course of the summer.
The Sunday R&D XI also have a full set of league and friendly fixtures on Sundays, starting with Arbroath XI at home and the plan will be to field as many youngsters as possible.
New players to the club will be introduced too under the guidance of skipper Jack Emslie and vice-captain Graham Ferguson.
