The top 10 players to watch in 2023 SACA Premier Cricket finals revealed
SACA Premier Cricket finals are here at last as the state’s top four local clubs of 2022-2023 battle for a spot in the grand final. See our top 10 players to watch.
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The SACA Premier Cricket postseason is finally here with the competition’s top four set in stone after the weekend’s thrilling action.
Kensington will take on West Torrens while Port Adelaide will take on Adelaide University in this weekend’s semi-finals as all four sides battle for a spot in the 2o23 first grade grand final.
Ahead of the weekend’s action we’ve listed the top 10 players to watch.
See our list below in order of the top four clubs.
ELLIOT OPIE
(Kensington)
The veteran quick has been back to his brilliant best for the Browns, taking 35 wickets so far this season as his side storms into yet another finals series.
With West Torrens boasting arguably the best batting order in the competition which includes Kelvin Smith, Bailey Capel and Daniel Drew, Opie’s early bowling will be as important as ever this weekend.
JOSH DOYLE
(Kensington)
Gun all-rounder Josh Doyle has had another strong season for Kensington in 2022-2023 and is a major reason why the Browns sit top of the ladder heading into finals.
With a total of 503 runs and 21 wickets for his side this season, Doyle has been one of the standout captains in Premier Cricket.
West Torrens will prove a tough opponent for Doyle’s Browns, but they stand a strong chance if he performs with both the bat and ball.
SAM RAHALEY
(Kensington)
Rahaley has had a consistent season at the crease, performing each week as a reliable number four or five batter for the Browns.
Capable of a big total or of steadying the innings for his side, Rahaley should provide an important presence on the pitch for his team this weekend.
CAM VALENTE
(Port Adelaide)
Valente has arguably been the best player in SACA Premier Cricket this season and will undoubtedly be one to watch as Port Adelaide takes on Adelaide Uni this weekend.
The highly-skilled all-rounder has scored almost 900 runs for the Magpies this season and has also been deadly with the ball, taking 51 wickets in a remarkable campaign.
If Valente is firing in finals, his reinvigorated side will be tough for anyone to top.
ISAAC CONWAY
(Port Adelaide)
Conway has averaged 40 runs for the Magpies this season and he will need to be at his best again this weekend at the crease and behind the stumps.
The number three batter made 60 runs last time out against the Blacks, look for him to have a similar impact on Saturday and Sunday.
DANIEL DREW
(West Torrens)
Drew has had another fantastic season in West Torrens’ top order and will be a key player for the Eagles this finals campaign.
With 800 runs to his name through the 2022-23 season, Drew has again been one of his side’s most consistent and dangerous players.
DANIEL FALLINS
(West Torrens)
One of the best spin bowlers in the competition, Fallins has been a weapon yet again for the Eagles in 2022-23, taking 38 wickets in his 18 appearances.
A consistent spinner who can bowl a variety of deliveries, Fallins has the ability to rip a batting order apart in a short space of time.
He has also been handy with the bat, making 431 runs so far.
KELVIN SMITH
(West Torrens)
West Torrens’ star opening batter has been a force this season, scoring 992 runs for the Eagles leading into finals.
Smith was key in West Torrens securing third spot on the ladder last weekend, finishing with a total of 67 against Southern District.
While the Eagles have not been firing on all cylinders throughout the entire 2022-2023 campaign, a strong performance from Smith, Bailey Capel and Daniel Drew at the crease could take them to another first grade premiership.
BAILEY WIGHTMAN
(Adelaide University)
Wightman has been a standout bowler for the Blacks this season, taking 35 wickets in his 16 matches with a 5-46 performance against East Torrens his best outing of the year.
Wightman’s side will have to be as damaging as possible with the ball against Port Adelaide this weekend, meaning he will need to be at his best in order for his side to advance.
SAM KERBER
(Adelaide University)
A consistent contributor for Adelaide Uni across a number of years, Kerber has again been a major factor in his side’s surge back into finals after missing out last season.
A composed batter, Kerber has tallied 529 runs this season and has been handy with the ball as well, taking 20 scalps so far.
A 100 not-out display against Kensington two weeks ago remains his best performance this season.
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