While the footy codes are playing finals this month, the cricketers' are turning their attention to donning the whites, strapping on the batting pads and the bowlers taking hold of the red cherry and getting ready for the long summer ahead.

Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Club starts the new season on Saturday, September 25.

And the Lions hope to roar in the 2010/2011 Sydney Cricket Association season when they play Blacktown at Rosedale Oval, Warwick Farm, at 11am.

The second day of the season opener is Saturday, October 2, at Rosedale Oval.

Lions president Richard Cook said the players in all five grades have been training since August under club coach Ron Harivel. "We're looking forward to the start of the new season," he said. "We missed the finals the past two seasons in first grade so we aim to make amends this summer."

The Lions have a new club secretary, Mark Clinghan, who replaces long-serving Richard Gerdes.

Clinghan has been involved in various administrative roles with the club in recent years.

Cook said the club welcomed the return of former premiership-winning opening batsman Mark Liddell.

Liddell spent last summer playing shires cricket but the desire to play in the demanding first-grade competition prompted a comeback.

The Lions will also have star all-rounder Grant Lambert available all season for each game after Cricket NSW called stumps on his first-class career.

Cricket NSW didn't offer the club record-breaking player a new contract when his long-term deal expired in May.

"We welcome Mark Liddell back and to have Lambo playing first grade all the time is a bonus."

All-rounder Anthony Clark, who bowls off-spin, is again first-grade skipper. He will lead a team with blend of youth and experience which includes Liddell, Lambert, NSW batsman Ben Rohrer and Australian under 19s spinner Luke Doran, a Cricket NSW rookie contract-holder.

Clark said there were a few spots available for the opening game.

"The fast-bowling spots are wide open," he said.

Clark said Lambert will definitely be one opening bowler but who will share the new ball with him won't be finalised until after the club's one day trial games.

The Lions meet Campbelltown on Saturday, September 18, at Ingleburn and against North Sydney at Tunks Park, Cammeray, on Sunday, September 19, in the trial matches.

Clark will be busy playing and coaching this summer. He's again been appointed coach of the Lions' Green Shield under 16s representative team.

Details: flcc.nsw.cricket.com.au.