Sunshine Coast Cricket 2023/24 division one team of the season
With the Sunshine Coast cricket season coming to a close, we uncover the standout stars selected in the 2023/24 division one team of the season. See who made the cut and have your say.
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With the Sunshine Coast cricket season coming to an official close, we’ve uncovered our division 1 team of the season.
The most rain-plagued season recorded in SCCA Division 1 history prevented play in the semifinals, leaving the table-topping pair of Noosa-Tewantin and Caboolture as Grand Final opponents for the 2023-24 crown.
Located at opposite ends of the Sunshine Coast, the final will be played at Read park on March 16 and 23.
Earlier this season, Tewantin-Noosa were able to lift the one-day trophy over Caboolture after the grand final was washed out.
Third placed Maroochydore were able to take out the T20 final over Tewantin-Noosa and a round of applause should also go to Coolum who were able to secure a top four spot in all three formats for the first time in their clubs history.
This season the finalists pose different strengths and successful styles, and their two-Day contest demonstrated only ability, as Tewantin batted first on a dry October Grant Road wicket, declaring at 5/393 after the first Saturday.
The next Saturday the Snakes replied with 7/405 for the points, but Grant Road in October and Read Park in March are worlds apart.
Despite the poor weather, the division one competition has featured a number of standout performers with Caboolture’s Glen Batticciotto and Coolum’s Corey Perren leading the way with the bat and the ball.
Perren, a former Nambour junior, made the switch to Coolum in 2021 and said he was proud of his efforts this season.
“I put in a fair bit of effort in the off-season to improve and be more consistent with the ball,” he said.
“I started my season a bit earlier this time around so I was able to come in with my foot down which has been good.”
The 23-year-old credited the Sharks’ off-field nature to their on-field results.
“I’ve really thrived off the team’s energy and the success that we’ve had this year,” he said.
“It’s an excellent culture that we’ve been in, the team chemistry has been unlike any other year and the results have shown that as well.
“We’ve been consistent, had some good wins against those top four sides which we don’t normally do and to make finals in all three formats has been a good roller-coaster to be a part of.”
Batticciotto said it was an interesting season.
“The first half of the year was good but then I don’t think I’ve been involved in a season with as much rain, it’s been pretty crazy for all of the teams,” he said.
“I’ve got pretty high expectations of myself, it’s never good enough and my goal is always to try and lead the runs but you never know what will happen because it’s a tough competition.”
In what was somewhat of a new look side for the Snakes this season, the 42-year-old said he was proud of how his teammates adapted.
“In hindsight I think we’ve done really well to make the finals and finish where we have this season,” he said.
“We lost a lot of experience and senior leaders but I think we were pretty lucky to pick up a couple of unexpected players that came to the club and our younger guys that stood up to the challenge.”
Just five players from the 2022/23 team of the season have made their case for back-to-back selection with a further six players breaking into the side for the first time.
After ranking all 2348 batters and all 1997 bowlers from the junior and senior divisions this year, here is our 2022/23 Men’s Division one team of the season.
The team was selected across all 2023/24 formats and all statistics are from the regular season.
Honorable mentions:
Blaine Schloss (Maroochydore): Gritty. That’s how I would summarise Schloss’ season with the bat, finishing 28 runs shy of the 500 mark from just 14 innings. His average of 42.91 was the fourth best behind Caboolture duo Batticciotto and Trask and Caloundra star Sam O’Brien.
Cooper Lea (Tewantin-Noosa): Really couldn’t have asked much more from Lea with the gloves and it was a very tough decision to leave him out. The youngster finished with 31 catches, three runouts and two stumpings from his 20 matches. His side’s bowling attack lead the way all season but it was his batting that just saw him miss out. He’s definitely made his mark this season and with some improved performances at the crease, he’ll be knocking the down down in 24/25.
Hayden Guest (Maroochydore): The former Palmwoods second grade star wanted to test himself in the top division and proved a success in what was a rocky season for the Swans. Guest endured a seamless transition and was the competition’s leading bowling at the beginning of the season. After leading the way in the T20 matches, the new recruit grew in confidence and consistency every round, finishing with 31 wickets from 167.3 overs and an average of 16.1.
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