SACA Premier Cricket top 20 players to watch this season including Chadd Sayers, Peter Hatzoglou, Corey Kelly
From gun recruits to rising stars and those with a point to prove – we’ve got the top 20 players to watch when SA Premier Cricket returns this weekend. See who made the list.
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SA’s top cricket competition is just days from getting underway and there are plenty of talented players ready to fire.
Gun recruits, rising youngsters and star veterans will be among those lining up when Premier Cricket Twenty20 matches begin this Saturday followed by first grade action.
Listed in alphabetical order, The Messenger has picked the top 20 players to watch this summer.
CHADD SAYERS
(Woodville)
Returning to Woodville from Glenelg this season, Chadd Sayers will offer the club experience, leadership and a deadly right arm delivery.
At 34 years old, Sayers has played for Australia and has been a long-time Redbacks reliable who has also proved useful with the bat.
“Our batting has been a bit brittle and we want to also bolster our attack so Chadd is a strong addition,” Woodville coach Peter Sleep said.
“He’s going to be great for us.”
Sayers took 36 wickets for Glenelg and SA last season.
COREY KELLY
(Sturt)
Strong with ball or bat in hand, Corey Kelly is set for a standout season according to Sturt captain Brad Davis.
The 20-year-old had a solid year for the Redbacks and Blues last season, his best performances being a 103-run show against East Torrens and 6/78 with the ball against Kensington.
“Corey will be a standout for us as he was last season,” Davis said.
“He is one of our most crucial bowlers and batters.”
COREY McDEAN
(Northern Districts)
New South Wales recruit Corey McDean – a young wicketkeeper-batsman – has arrived at the Jets and should play a key role, according to playing coach Mark Cosgrove.
McDean not only fills a need at the club but should continue to progress following his debut NSW Premier Cricket season last summer with Western Suburbs.
HARRY MATTHIAS
(Sturt)
Brad Davis is also tipping 18-year-old wicketkeeper Harry Matthias to be one of the big improvers this year.
The SA U19 player proved valuable with the bat and gloves last season but the Sturt coach believes he can hit another level and provide the X-factor his team needs.
“I’m expecting Harry to have a breakout season and become one of the best keeper-batsmen in the competition,” Davis said.
“He has put in a lot of work and improved his game immensely.”
JAKE WINTER
(Glenelg)
If the former Redbacks-listed batsman can recapture his finest form, then Glenelg will be a dangerous force.
Winter had a year off two seasons ago following a phenomenal 2018/19 campaign where he made a monster 1048 runs at 104.8 with a high score of 233 not out.
He returned last summer but was rusty and “ disappointing by his own admission”, according to coach Sam McNally.
With another year’s cricket under his belt and taking on the full-time captaincy at Glenelg for the first time, the 24-year-old’s best cricket could still be ahead of him.
JOE MEDEW-EWEN
(Port Adelaide)
Left-arm wrist spinner Joe Medew-Ewen made his Sheffield Shield debut for SA last season and is looking to continue that momentum for Port Adelaide this year.
He took 58 wickets in 23 matches for Port Adelaide and the Redbacks last year, including a six-wicket-haul against Tea Tree Gully.
He’ll undoubtedly be a weapon for the Magpies as they aim for a finals push this season.
JORDAN BUCKINGHAM
(West Torrens)
Young quick Jordan Buckingham has joined West Torrens from Victoria this year and captain Daniel Drew believes he’ll give their attack the bite it needs.
Fresh off of a 21-wicket season for Footscray, the 21-year-old rookie Redback is eager to improve and start strong for both SA and the Eagles.
“I think he’ll have a standout year for us this season,” Drew said.
“With his raw pace and quick bounce he can prove to be trouble for batters at times.”
JOSH BARRETT
(Southern Districts)
Stingrays skipper Josh Barrett boasts the most experience at his club and is looking to lead the charge with strong performances this year.
The 29-year-old wicketkeeper has had major success for Southern and as captain of South Australia’s Second XI, producing with the bat on a consistent basis.
Barrett put together multiple scores as an opener for the Stingrays last season, including a classy 129 against Sturt.
JOSH DOYLE
(Kensington)
Browns captain Elliot Opie is tipping middle-order batsman Josh Doyle’s fourth SA Premier Cricket campaign to be his best yet.
A regular contributor over his first three seasons at the club – including 427 runs at 32.85 last year – Opie said the 23-year-old had the capability to become a standout performer in a strong Kensington line-up.
“Josh is a great competitor and obviously has really good skills with the bat, ball and in the field,” he said.
“I’m hoping he has an extraordinary year. He’s been good for a few years and hopefully he goes on again.”
JOSH PENGELLEY
(Adelaide)
Buffalos coach Shaun Siegert is tipping Josh Pengelley to have a bigger impact this campaign.
After claiming 20 wickets at 23.95 last season – second only to his personal best of 23 at 25.48 in 2018/19 – Siegert said Pengelley had the potential to be one of the competition’s leading bowlers.
“I think his batting can also improve and the think I like about Josh is that he’s not afraid of pressure, he likes it,” Siegert said.
KYLE BRAZELL
(Adelaide University)
Redbacks rookie-listed batter Kyle Brazell is growing into a key player for the Blacks as he continues to rise through the ranks following a promising junior career.
The prolific left-hander enjoyed a strong 2020/21 campaign, compiling 461 runs at 46.10 for the reigning premiers.
Brazell, 20, featured throughout the order for Uni last summer but would be hoping to cement a top order spot this season.
KELVIN SMITH
(West Torrens)
West Torrens captain Daniel Drew said the returning Kelvin Smith would be a major boost for the Eagles in 2021.
Returning from a stint in WA, the 27-year-old left-handed batter will fit the top of the West Torrens order like a glove, having dominated at the crease in grade cricket for years.
“Having Kelvin back at the top of the order for us will provide the team with a lot of experience and strength,” Drew said.
“He continues to have great seasons and we can’t wait to have him back in our colours.”
Smith averaged 129 runs over 10 matches in his most recent SA grade cricket season.
KYLE SCRIMEGOUR
(Prospect)
Prospect coach Steve Broberg believes first-year captain Kyle Scrimegour will thrive in his new role with the club.
Replacing Izaac Boylan as the Pirates’ leader, the current club champion and skilled all-rounder is ready to hit the ground running.
“He’s a really handy player and he’s obviously become one of our prominent performers,” Broberg said.
“We’re looking for him to perform each week and lead some of our younger guys.”
PETER HATZOGLOU
(Prospect)
Hatzoglou is another Redback who looks set to spark this premier cricket season.
The 22-year-old leg-spinner, who also plays Big Bash for the Renegades, had an impressive 2020/21 campaign after relocating to SA from Melbourne.
With the ability to take handfuls of wickets and pile on runs in the lower order with the bat, Hatzoglou may hold the key to unlocking his team’s full potential.
RYAN KING
(East Torrens)
Another Redbacks rookie, young Reds top-order batsman Ryan King made a name for himself with a stellar maiden first grade century to set his side up for victory against Glenelg in round nine last season.
King went on to win the Les Favell Medal as East Torrens’ best and fairest in a breakout senior campaign.
The young gun has also improved his leg-spin bowling in his time in the senior SACA program.
SAM RAHALEY
(Kensington)
One of the brightest young talents in SA cricket, young Browns bat Sam Rahaley continues to impress after featuring in both the One Day Cup and first grade grand finals last season.
The SA under-19 squad member should continue to impress as he takes on more responsibility in the Kensington order.
Made 294 runs at 24.50 last campaign, which included a match-high 82 in the Browns’ two-day semi-final win over Glenelg.
TATE ROBINS
(East Torrens)
Entering his seventh season of first grade cricket Tate Robins is no newcomer but East Torrens skipper Michael Cranmer said the quick is “only getting better”.
His 24 wickets last season was a career-high and tied for the Reds’ best alongside brother Luke.
Robins is also capable of making an impact with the bat down the order with his big-hitting ability and should be a key for East Torrens across all forms.
TEJAS GILL
(Adelaide)
A rising star in SA cricket, Tejas Gill is a name to keep an eye on in years to come.
The Adelaide High School year 11 student is part of the SA under-17 squad and got a taste of first grade cricket in eight appearances last season.
A solid team-high 41 in round two against East Torrens showed the left-hander has the ability and poise at the level.
Buffalos coach Siegert said the hardworking Gill is mature for his age and hungry to make improvements this season.
TIM OAKLEY
(Tea Tree Gully)
Speedster Tim Oakley seems set to continue his astounding run in Premier Cricket.
The 24-year-old Redback burst onto the scene in 2019 and hasn’t looked back, becoming one of the best performers with the ball for the Bulls.
Player-coach Joe Gatting said he expected the now experienced Oakley to find another level this season.
WILL BOWERING
(Glenelg)
Leg-spinner Will Bowering looms as an X-factor for the Seahorses.
Glenelg coach Sam McNally said the Emerging Redbacks squad member should continue to grow in influence with his skilful bowling across all three formats.
Bowering snared 19 wickets at 28.89 last summer.
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