Wagga City’s premiership credentials have been given a big boost just in time for Christmas.
Premiership winning player and former captain and coach Warren Clunes has linked back with club.
He will return for the first match of the new year.
Clunes has spent the last two and a half seasons in Canberra, with Weston Creek, but will return to the city for work.
He’s averaged 43 this season in Canberra’s top grade and will add plenty of power at the top of the Cats’ batting order.
The Cats already have Jon Nicoll and Mitch Cawley installed as the competition’s two highest runscorers this season and president Owen Thompson was thrilled to add another weapon.
“He’s a Cats favourite son,” Thompson said.
“He was around in the early days when we got going and helped get us to where we are now.
“To have him come back is a great value.”
Clunes hasn’t played for the Cats since scoring 43 in the 2012-13 grand final win over South Wagga.
However he did return to the Wagga cricket scene for the charity Big Bash before making the permanent switch.
With the timing of the move Thompson expects he will have played enough matches to qualify for finals.
However with Josh Thompson and Cawley combining strongly at the top of the order, just where he will bat remains up in the air.
“Wags (Clunes) can bat anywhere in that top order,” Thompson said.
“He batted at five in the premiership for us three years ago now and is an excellent keeper and can bowl a bit of off spin.”
After being a part of the Cats’ two premierships, Clunes is also another excellent role model for the youthful line up this season.
“He’s a good bloke to have around with the kids we have in the team too,” Thompson said.
“He likes that sort of role and adds experience.
“It means more often than not we will have an experienced head with one of the young kids which will be a good thing for us and for the kids as they come through.”
