Ben Pengelley and Sam Kerber favourites for SACA grade cricket’s 2019/20 Bradman Medal
A pair of matchwinning all-rounders are tipped to lead the charge for this year’s Bradman Medal. Check out the contender from every grade cricket club ahead of the award on Wednesday night.
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A two-horse race looms as the most likely scenario for one of SA cricket’s most prestigious awards when the Bradman Medal is presented on Wednesday night.
While the coronavirus breakout has forced the event to be cancelled, grade cricket’s player of the season will still be named the 2019-20 winner.
A pair of all-rounders are tipped to be the ones to beat, with club coaches telling The Messenger the winner will come from Adelaide University’s Sam Kerber or Adelaide’s Ben Pengelley.
But it may come down to which of the duo’s teammates take the most votes from them.
Pengelley’s teammate and Buffalos skipper Cam Valente looks the most likely to cause an upset following a super-consistent summer.
Meanwhile, Blacks recruit Will Bosisto stormed out of the gates and could hurt Kerber’s chances when he likely polls well in the early rounds.
Top four sides Kensington and East Torrens both lack a standout candidate after even team performances throughout the season. But stranger things have happened and the clubs each picked up nine wins.
The Karen Rolton Medallist – for best player in the women’s competition – will be named alongside the Bradman Medallist and all other award winners online at 6pm on Wednesday, March 25.
THE CONTENDERS
ADELAIDE
BEN PENGELLEY
Season stats: 734 runs at 61.2. 32 wickets at 16.8.
No one had a bigger impact across the board than Adelaide star Ben Pengelley this season.
The all-rounder not only blasted runs regularly but finished second in the competition for wickets as well.
The 22-year-old should poll maximum votes in several Buffalos’ wins, especially in his 123-run masterclass in round four against Kensington, an equally impressive 102 against University in round 12 and 7/55 with the ball to roll Glenelg in round six.
Pengelley had three tons all up and a further trio of half-centuries across the season.
CAM VALENTE
Season stats: 561 runs at 112.2. 28 wickets at 12.8.
Ultra-consistent is probably the best way to describe the Adelaide skipper.
Cam Valente rarely threw his wicket away – seven not outs in 12 innings – and was often there to provide crucial runs when his side needed it most.
His 7/24 in round seven, as the Buffalos skittled Southern District for 52, was a highlight.
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY
SAM KERBER
Season stats: 817 runs at 90.8. 12 wickets at 34.5.
After finishing third in last year’s Bradman Medal count Sam Kerber has not only continued his form, but taken his game to a new level.
His 817 runs, up from 634 last campaign, led the first grade while chipping in with wickets.
Kerber is also a true all-rounder and known as one of the top fielders in the competition.
His chances will depend on how the votes are shared across a star-studded Uni line-up.
WILL BOSISTO
Season stats: 593 runs at 74.1. 24 wickets at 14.4.
Redbacks’ WA recruit Will Bosisto started the season on absolute fire.
He was unstoppable in the early rounds and led the competition for both wickets and runs at the halfway point.
State call ups limited his impact in the latter part of the campaign, but must still be considered a chance.
EAST TORRENS
JAKE LEHMANN
Season stats: 613 runs at 153.25
Jake Lehmann started the season with a bang blasting 188 and 201, both unbeaten, in his first two games of the season.
Just seven innings for the campaign limits his chances, despite further scores of 89 and 71 later in the summer.
MICHAEL CRANMER
Season stats: 554 runs at 55.4. 16 wickets at 29.69.
Two tons in a strong season from the Reds skipper, although one of them was overshadowed by a massive double century from Lehmann in round four.
Did enough with bat and ball consistently to be a smoky.
GLENELG
BEN BULLIMORE
Season stats: 652 runs at 54.3.
Top-order batsman Bullimore is the favourite to lead the Seahorses after accumulating the fourth-highest runs total in the competition.
His three centuries included a matchwinning 152 from 147 balls against Tea Tree Gully in round two.
KENSINGTON
JAKE BROWN
Season stats: 544 runs at 49.45. 12 wickets at 16.5.
It is hard not to mention three-time winner Brown when talking about Bradman Medal chances at Kensington.
But a fourth title seems unlikely after a solid season but one below his usual high standards.
JOHN DALTON
Season stats: 585 runs at 48.75.
A solid season from the Browns opener but failed to convert starts into big scores often enough.
NORTHERN DISTRICTS
MARK COSGROVE
Season stats: 646 runs at 58.7.
Another strong season from Jets captain/coach Mark Cosgrove, who is should poll well in all his side’s victories.
But the man himself told The Messenger he only expected “a couple here and there”.
PORT ADELAIDE
AUSTIN UMPHERSTON
Season stats: 605 runs at 43.21.
Umpherston bounced back from losing his Redbacks contract to be a shining light in a tough season for the Magpies. Compiled a standout ton in round five versus Sturt.
PROSPECT/WOODVILLE
BEN TURLEY
Season stats: 353 runs at 44.13. 31 wickets at 21.83.
Turley jumped ship from the Pirates to the Peckers mid-season but it did not harm his output on the field.
Had two five-wicket hauls and a 6/58 while also smashing an unbeaten 103 with the bat.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT
LEWIS HATCHETT
Season stats: 32 wickets at 17.63.
It was a much-improved season from the Stingrays and Sussex bowler Hatchett led the charge.
Took 7/80 against Adelaide before topping it with 8/49 in the final round against Woodville. It’s not usually a bowlers’ award but Hatchett could score highest for Southern at least.
STURT
BRADLEY DAVIS
Season stats: 738 runs at 73.8.
The Blues’ five victories for the season may not be enough for Davis to take top spot, despite scoring the second most first grade runs this summer.
But the Sturt skipper is a hot chance for the Darren Lehmann Medal after blasting 398 runs at 79.6 during a stellar Twenty20 campaign.
TEA TREE GULLY
ADAM SOMERFIELD
Season stats: 248 runs at 24.8. 41 wickets at 18.6.
Somerfield’s 41 wickets were nine ahead of the next closest and his best-ever first grade tally.
Three half-centuries, including a 98 in round 11, should mean the Bulls’ veteran features in most TTG’s wins.
JOE GATTING
Season stats: 597 runs at 54.27. Nine wickets at 19.1.
Joe Gatting’s four centuries were only topped by Sam Kerber’s five in a season with some impressive highs.
But, like his team, there were some lows too and consistency might restrict Gatting from a top medal finish.
WEST TORRENS
DANIEL DREW
Season stats: 593 runs at 59.3 16 wickets at 27.38.
A previous winner and proven vote-getter, the Eagles’ skipper finished the season with a bang scoring 153, 115 and 97 in four of his last three innings.