Dilan Nanayakkara.
MOUNT Waverley hopes depth and consistency will drive it into the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association finals this season.
With less than a month until the VSDCA season begins, Mt Waverley has had a busy off-season, securing English fast bowler Alex Deuchar and several locally based players.
Club captain Dhugal Bedingfield said his side would have more depth this season along with more contributors with bat and ball.
"Last year we had three guys who made around 300 runs for the season," he said. "We are hoping to get a couple more contributing this year, hopefully have five or six guys make our runs."
Bedingfield said he hoped batsmen James Jenson and Dilan Nanayakkara would build on solid seasons last year.
He said the club was hopeful Deuchar would become the striker bowler the side was missing.
"While our bowlers were pretty steady last year we didn't have anyone take over 20 wickets for the season," he said. "So we are hoping he can do that this year. He is meant to be a pretty good bowler and he played a few first-class games."
Bedingfield is also gearing his side for a tough season with several sides expected to be improved this season. "We know Oakleigh has recruited well and is just as strong," he said. "Some of the northern teams like Kew and Plenty Valley have added players and will expect to get into the top four."
Mount also has a new senior coach in Gary Kitto while last season's coach Geoff Bowyer moves into the junior development coach position.