The Blues have confirmed that English off-spinner Ragu Aravinthan will don the gear for another season after a wildly successful first outing in the Cricket Shepparton realm.
Aravinthan electrified pitches throughout the region in his age-20 campaign, with the youngster quickly solidifying himself as a key pillar in Tim Arnel’s line-up.
The dynamic spinner claimed a total of 19 wickets at 17.05 across the Haisman Shield campaign, highlighted by figures of 4-34 in a one-dayer with Karramomus and 4-55 in a two-day clash with Katandra on the club’s anniversary weekend.
Brought in as an all-rounder, Aravinthan certainly did his job with the willow as well, collecting 260 runs at an average of 21.67 capped by a half-century against Euroa.
The man who came from Surrey’s county system was arguably more damaging in the shorter form, though, at least with the bat.
Though bowling is never an easy task in the Higher-grade T20, or any T20 tournament for that matter, Aravinthan’s 103 runs at 25.75 were a shining light in Numurkah’s run to the final, where his side was upended by Central Park in a thriller.
Aravinthan was recognised for his contributions across a successful first season in navy blue when Numurkah crowned him the 2023-24 club best-and-fairest, as well as best under-23 player.
In a statement confirming the news, Aravinthan expressed his eagerness at spending another summer in the Goulburn Valley.
“I really am excited to be back at NYCCC again for another year,” Aravinthan said.
“(I’m) buzzing to be around the lads and, hopefully, I can make a huge impact with the bat and ball.
“(I’m) counting down the days and I can’t wait to catch up with everyone when I return.”
Individual successes aside, the season largely went down as one of heartbreak for Numurkah, which it will be out to avenge in the 2024-25 campaign.
A last-gasp eight-run defeat to the Tigers for the T20 title soon preceded a miraculous Central Park comeback to deny the Blues a finals place in the home and away season’s dying minutes.
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