Daniel Drew, Isaac Higgins, Matthew Spoors among SA Premier Cricket’s biggest surprises so far

From record batting totals to the rise of local young guns, we’re counting down the biggest surprises from the SACA Premier Cricket pitches so far this season.

The SACA Premier Cricket season is a month in, with the men four weeks into day games and Twenty20, and the women well into their Twenty20 campaign.

While many teams and players have continued on from last season with strong performances, there have been a few surprises so far.

From record tonnes to rising young guns, The Messenger has got the early season’s biggest surprises – in no particular order.

The arrival of Isaac Higgins

Glenelg’s Isaac Higgins has been a marvel with the bat in 2021. Picture: Dean Martin

Glenelg’s 19-year-old young gun was a solid contributor with the bat last season, but nothing compared to what he’s shown so far this year.

After a strong start in T20 for the Seahorses, the state representative has moved on to dominating two-dayers for his club, tallying two big centuries against Woodville and Kensington.

“I’ve found that working with both the state and Glenelg coaches has helped me work out some technical things in my game and I’m now in a position where I can keep improving and win games for Glenelg and SA,” Higgins said.

After his first few day games, Higgins is averaging 121 in his first season of opening the batting for Glenelg’s A Grade.

Matthew Spoors’ impact

WA recruit Matthew Spoors has been just what the doctor ordered for Sturt. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Some may have been unsure how the batting recruit from WA would fair this season, but Spoors has greatly impressed so far.

The opener has made two totals of 60 or over in T20 so far this year and has also scored 90 or over three times in day games.

Just last weekend Spoors made a massive 137 runs against Prospect.

He’s also had an impact with the ball, taking nine wickets across T20 and day games.

Sturt and East Torrens’ rise

East Torrens’ Tate Robins bowls against Adelaide. His side has started strongly this season. Picture: Dean Martin

While East Torrens finished fifth and Sturt sixth last season, their early season start – which has both teams sitting in the top three – has been impressive.

Sturt, spearheaded by Matthew Spoors and Angus Parker, has dealt with the teams it should beat on paper, while also grabbing a valuable draw against a dangerous West Torrens side.

East Torrens, which is currently perched on top of the ladder, has defeated Southern District and West Torrens comfortably.

Sturt captain Brad Davis has been confident in his side from the get-go.

“I really think we have what it takes to go far this year and I’m hoping we can play finals in two-day cricket and possibly win a premiership in one of the other formats,” Davis said.

Adelaide’s tough start

A dejected Will Patton departs after being bowled by East Torrens’ Campbell Thompson. His Adelaide side began the season with optimism but is yet to record a win. Picture: Dean Martin

Despite the return of former coach Shaun Siegert and the addition of Erik Carrington from West Torrens, Adelaide has failed to win a game in any format so far this season.

The club made back-to-back first grade finals appearances in 2018-19 and ‘19-20 but has struggled since.

While the Buffalos finished ninth last season and lost star Cam Valente, their bottom of the ladder start will come as a bit of a disappointment.

Coach Siegert said the side was building for the future.

“It’s a different group to what I had a couple years ago. It’s a lot younger,” Siegert said.

“Their best cricket is ahead of them. It’s about finding the right way to bring that out of them.”

The club will look to get its first Premier Cricket win on the board this weekend in day two against East Torrens.

Rising star Maggie Clark

Young West Torrens star Maggie Clark has taken the women's Premier Cricket competition by storm so far this season. Picture: Supplied

West Torrens has a bright young star on its hands, with 14-year-old Maggie Clark proving she already has what it takes to match it with the best.

The fast bowler – who is currently equal second highest wicket taker in the competition – burst onto the scene in her first ever A Grade season when she tore Adelaide Uni apart with three wickets and a run out.

She also took two wickets against a strong Glenelg outfit, and followed that performance up with four more against Northern Districts.

Clark has proved to be a handy middle-order batter as well, and is gradually developing that area of her game.

“She’s a really promising player who shows great variations in her bowling,” captain Jess Joseph said.

“We’re looking forward to seeing her evolve this season.”

Daniel Drew’s historic double ton

West Torrens batsman Daniel Drew scored a historic double century last weekend. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Drew has been a strong batter for years now but even he was taken aback by his massive 214 not out against Adelaide over the weekend.

The star’s total was the highest ever one-day score for West Torrens, the highest at Henley Oval and the fourth-highest ever by a West Torrens player across any format.

He also belted 12 sixes in the innings.

Drew said achieving the total was “a special feeling.”

“It was just one of those days where everything hit the middle of the bat,” he said.

“You pick the gaps and just go for it.”

Glenelg’s women turn form around in 2021

Glenelg's Anesu Mushangwe has played a key role in her side's surprising turn to top form. Picture: Mark Brake

After finishing second bottom last season, Glenelg’s first grade has shown massive improvement across the board.

While the Seahorses have lost to Sturt and Kensington – the two strongest outfits – they have knocked Uni, Northern Districts and West Torrens out of the park so far this season.

Kayla McGrath has been a star with the bat, while Cate Dunemann and all-rounder Anesu Mushangwe have been weapons with the ball.

The side has surprised many to sit third on the ladder and looks set to grab another win against Northern Districts on Sunday.

Prospect’s bowling attack

Prospect’s Krutarth Suthar makes a strong catch. His performance in the field and with the ball has played a significant part in the Pirates’ deadly attack. Picture: Morgan Sette

Prospect is currently a respectable sixth on the first grade ladder and can credit its deadly attack for the early success.

The Pirates have two bowlers in the top 10 wicket-takers so far this season – all-rounder Krutarth Suthar on 12 and William Daniel, who has eight in three matches.

The side has so far this season kept Adelaide to a total of 108, Uni to 9-178 and East Torrens to 180.

Coach Steve Broberg believed the team is in a good position to attack the season.

“We definitely feel we’re in a better position than last year,” Broberg said.

“The group is still young and as it develops together we expect to see some good consistency.”