Tenambit Morpeth go into 2021-22 without representative duo Tallon Gear and Hunter Ball, but skipper Adam Sidoti is confident the rest of the club's talented youth are ready to take the next step to lift the Bulls up the Maitland first grade cricket ladder.
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Opening batter Gear has joined Kurri Weston this season, while wicketkeeper-batter Ball is taking the year off because of work but is committed to returning to the club.
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"We have some really talented young players coming through who played first grade last year or are coming through second grade," Sidoti said.
"Ryan Wind, Alex Lidbury and Sid Searle all had very good seasons in first grade last year and will benefit from that experience and take on the extra responsibility to take us forward."
Lidbury and Searle will spearhead the bowling along with the evergreen Shane Wind.
"Rowdy (Wind) has give such great service to this club. I reckon he will keep bowling his 20 overs unchanged until he can't walk," Sidoit said.
"From my perspective as a new captain, he was just such a fantastic help and support.
"He knows so much about the game and is just willing to share it with everyone."
Wind's son Ryan, who is entering his third season on first grade cricket, will continue to bowl but has been earmarked by Sidoti as his opening partner to replace Gear.
"I think he is more than capable of doing the job and with more time at the crease will blossom," Sidoti said.
While the club has not recruited any big names from other clubs, they are set to benefit from the addition of new coach Chris Marsh who has impressed Sidoti with his coaching videos and input already.
"I think we will really benefit from Marshy's involvement, he has brought a lot of ideas from Sydney cricket and even just through the videos players are learning heaps," Sidoti said.
Training to date has been one of one sessions in the nets between training buddies, but the first official session is on Tuesday night.
"I'm a week-and-a-half away from getting back on track when I get my second jab," Sidoti said.
"The boys can't wait, they have been able to have net sessions in pairs but a training session with first and second grade together will make it feel like we really are going to get to play this year.
"One of the things we are all looking forward to once it's allowed is to get together and have a beer as a group and lay out our goals for the season.
"It's something Marshy has suggested. We've never done it before and I think a group session where we all set out how many runs or wickets we want to take is a great idea."
