Preparations for the 2012/13 cricket season are already underway with the Muddies' Seniors currently training on Wednesdays until the end of the AFL season at the Port Douglas Sports Complex.

In fact the first games of the new season, which will be in the two-day competition, will take place on the weekend of 22nd and 23rd September.

To get things off on the right note, Cairns Far North Cricket Association is running a T20 competition for all clubs on the weekend before - 15th and 16th September. 

This competition is really aimed at the A Grades but the Muddies may well enter a team to give the new players some early season experience to help blow away a few cobwebs before their competition proper starts the following week.

President Steve Doble popped into see The Newsport and was very positive about the new season. 

"We are applying to field two C Grade teams this year instead of a B Grade and C Grade as we did last year. At first hearing this may appear to be a negative move but I don't see it that way. We have a whole bunch of new juniors who are ready to move up to the senior ranks.

"For some like Glen Ives and Ben Shrimpton this is their second year in the Seniors but for others like Hayden D'Addona, Kaiden Sorenson, Nathan Evans and Ethan McCullough and a few more who I'm sure I have forgotten, this is their first time with the Seniors. 

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"We want to be sure they enjoy their first taste of senior cricket and get the chance to develop properly in the game to reach their full potential.  We feel with insufficient B Grade players in the ranks it would therefore make sense to have two C Grade sides where everyone can get into the game and the juniors can learn at a level that stretches but doesn't stress them."

The CFN hasn't accepted this application of two C Grade sides from Port Douglas but Steve is confident that they will see the sense in it.

Steve is very keen to continue the progress they have made with the juniors, and reminded us that prior to two seasons ago the only junior to come through the ranks was Sam 'Hollywood' Evans.

Since that time the Muddies have enjoyed David Coulthard amongst their midst who has now gone on to join United CC in Cairns so that he has the opportunity to play A Grade if he keeps progressing at the rate we saw last year. 

Steve Doble was quick to say, "We wish David all the best.  We are of course sorry to see him leave us but we look forward to him going all the way through the United ranks on to who knows what level he may reach.  His move to United is a good move for Queensland cricket."

PRESEASON CRICKET CALENDAR

27th - 31st August School Blitz - Main week - All clubs
1st September Junior Sign-on - Main sign-on
3rd - 21st September School Come and Try sessions - Week 8 to 11
15th & 16th September Start of grade cricket season 2012/13 -
22nd September Junior Sign-on - Second sign-on
30th Sep - 4th October Cricket Camp - u10, u11, u12, u13, u14 and u16 age groups