Here are Adelaide grade cricket’s top 10 players at the halfway point of the 2019/20 season
We’ve cast our eye over the top 10 performers so far this grade cricket season, including a barnstorming interstate recruit, rising all-rounders and Redbacks batsmen.
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We have approached the halfway point of the Adelaide grade cricket season and – as the competition breaks for the annual Adelaide Test match bye – The Messenger has identified the top 10 performers so far.
Using a ranking system of one point per run and 20 points per wicket, the leading players include a barnstorming interstate recruit, rising all-rounders and Redbacks batsmen.
#1 WILL BOSISTO
Adelaide University
Points: 881
Top performance: 128 not out and 6/88 (round six v Northern)
No player has had a bigger impact on grade cricket this season than Adelaide University’s West Australian recruit Will Bosisto.
Three-straight tons has the 26-year-old all-rounder on top of the batting charts with481 runs at 120.25,but he has been equally effective with the ball – his 20 wickets at 12.45 also leads the competition.
The move to SA – after he lost his WA contract after seven years – appears to be paying off, with Bosisto far and away the top performer after six rounds.
#2 BEN PENGELLEY
Adelaide
Points: 608
Top performance: 7/55 (round six v Glenelg)
The rise of the Buffalos can be closely tracked alongside the surge of all-rounder Ben Pengelley.
His matchwinning 123 against reigning premiers Kensington in round four was usurped by a brilliant seven-wicket haul against Glenelg this month.
That career-high knock has helped Pengelley’s average soar to 81.6 this season, up from 45.92 in 2018/19.
#3 SAM KERBER
Adelaide University
Points: 520
Top performance: 124 (round three v Port Adelaide)
All-rounder Sam Kerber was one of the big improvers of last summer and Adelaide University’s “Mr Versatile” has continued the trajectory this campaign.
Has 400 runs at 100 so far with a 124 and an unbeaten 106 along with 73 not out.
Kerber, also a gun in the field for the Blacks, has six wickets at 45 so far on the back of 24 poles last season.
#4 CAM VALENTE
Adelaide
Points: 491
Top performance: 51 not out and 5/17 (round five v Northern)
In four innings, Adelaide skipper Cam Valente is yet to lose his wicket.
The Buffalo all-rounder’s patience at the crease has also been rewarded with runs, including unbeaten knocks of 109, 78, 51 and 37.
He also has a miserly10 wickets at 12.6.
Valente’s brilliant display against Northern Districts in round five showed exactly why he has forced his way back into Redbacks contention this campaign, with state duties also slightly limiting his availability at grade level.
#5 JOSH DASCOMBE
West Torrens
Points: 465
Top performance: 52 and 4/121 (round four v Glenelg)
In a tough year so far for West Torrens – the Eagles have just one win from five attempts – recruit Josh Dascombe has been a more than handy addition.
The Queensland spinning all-rounder is third at the club for runs (205 at 34.17) and theleading wicket-taker (13 at 30.54).
Took 4/121 and notched a half century in round four against the Seahorses, but was unable to drag the Eagles over the line.
#6 AUSTIN UMPHERSTON
Port Adelaide
Points: 430
Top performance: 125 (round five v Sturt)
A refocused Austin Umpherston has his eyes firmly set on runs and the Port Adelaide batsman is delivering.
Umpherston, who lost his place in the Emerging Redbacks at the end of last season, has blasted 125 from 139 balls against Sturt and carved 97 facing Adelaide University.
He has370 runs at 61.67, already surpassing his 2018/19 total of 278.
#7 ADAM SOMERFIELD
Tea Tree Gully
Points: 419
Top performance: 5/22 (round one v Northern)
Wickets have been tough to come by across the competition this season but Bulls bowling all-rounder Adam Somerfield has had no such trouble.
He’s taken two five-wicket hauls and a pair of three-fas already with a superb 5/22 from eight overs in the season opener the highlight.
Also recorded an unbeaten half-century with the bat against Prospect last round.
#8 PATRICK PAGE
Adelaide
Points: 413
Top performance: 111 not out (round five v Northern)
Refreshed in a new environment, young Redback Patrick Page is back in touch this season after moving from Tea Tree Gully to the Buffalos.
His brilliant unbeaten 111 against the Jets was like the Page of old as he looks to get back into state contention.
The 21-year-old led grade cricket with 894 runs at 59.6 in 2017/18 before crashing to 333 at 27.75 last summer.
#9 BAILEY CAPEL
West Torrens
Points: 401
Top performance: 123 (round five v Tea Tree Gully)
Two first grade tons already this campaign has young Eagles opener Bailey Capel on track for a career best summer.
The up and coming talent, who had one top level century to his name coming into the season, has 381 runs at 63.5 so far.
Capel hit a sparkling 123 from 115 balls against Tea Tree Gully at Pertaringa Oval last month. His other ton (107) came against Kensington in round two, showing he can do it against the top sides.
#10 JAKE LEHMANN
East Torrens
Points: 389
Top performance: 201 not out (round four v Port Adelaide)
Jake Lehmann’s appearances at the Reds have been few and far between, but boy has he made an impact when available. T
he Redback blasted 188 not out in the season opener against Adelaide University and then topped it with an unbeaten 201 – his second double ton at grade level – in his only other appearance for East Torrens so far this season.
patrick.keam@news.com.au