NSW Premier Cricket 2020/21: Sydney Grade season preview
NSW Premier Cricket is back and boasting a host of next gen stars and rusted on club legends. We’ve run our eye across the competition to sort the pretenders from the contenders in 2020/21. So how’s your club looking? FULL GUIDE.
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Interest in Premier Cricket is tipped to soar to new heights this season after a winter full of sporting cancellations and disappointments due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Players have launched into the season with the competition kicking off in late September for Premier Cricket and second grade.
The competition will be played across 15 rounds, followed by a three week finals series, with numerous new rules bought in as COVID safety measures.
N EW RULES: The great institution missing from NSW Premier cricket this season
Third, fourth and fifth grades will start slightly later given delays to winter sports as a result of COVID-19.
We spoke to competing clubs about their aspirations for the season and their weakness and strengths for a season preview.
RANDWICK PETERSHAM
Home ground: Coogee Oval
Last season: 1st (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: In: James Seymour (Melbourne), Puru Gaur (Scone). Out: Daniel Bell-Drummond (UK).
After a great season in 2019/2020 Randwick Petersham are looking for a repeat performance this summer
As the current holders of the Belvidere Cup, the aspiration is to play as well and as competitively as they can each and every week.
The club has no overseas players this season with the star of the last season, Daniel Bell-Drummond, staying in the UK.
They will also be largely without Dave Warner, Daniel Sams and Jason Sangha due to representative and IPL duties.
New faces at the club include James Seymour from Melbourne and Puru Gaur from Scone.
Not only is the club aiming to be regarded as one of the best clubs in Sydney in all forms of cricket but it also wants to be know as a club that plays in the right spirit of the game.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: University Oval
Last season: 2nd (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: In: Nivethan Radhakrishnan (Hawkesbury). Out: Varun George
Sydney University have been one of the strongest sides over recent years and look to be a threat again this season.
Director of cricket Cam Borgas said the pre-season aim is to play finals and hopefully win a premiership in First Grade after finishing second to Randwick Petersham last season.
The Club Championship and Spirit of Cricket awards also remain a huge priority for the club.
The club said its strengths are consistency, depth, a good blend of experience and youth and professional, strong leadership.
A long-term injury to opening bowler Joe Kershaw may stretch the fast bowling options at the club at some stage during the season, particularly if other players are lost to injury or higher honours.
Varun George will be a loss but exciting young talent Nivethan Radhakrishnan is one to look out for.
PARRAMATTA DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Old Kings Oval
Last season: 13th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: Out: Brenton Cherry, Adam Turrell, Ward, Trent Crittenden Ben Aitchison. In: Gabriel Joseph, Ajay Singh (Northern Districts), Dhruv Kant (Blacktown), Gaurav Dogra (Blacktown).
There have been a raft of changes at Parramatta in the off-season with a number of players retiring and one of their leading run scorers, Tim Ward, taking up a contract with Tasmania.
However there is still a strong core of players remaining from the Premiership winning side of 2018.
The goal for Parramatta after recruiting strongly in the off-season is to be competing for finals in both the Belvidere and one day competitions.
“T20 is definitely a competition we are targeting this season having missed out on finals due to a last ball loss to Bankstown last season,’’ a club spokesman said.
Not returning from last season are Brenton Cherry, Adam Turrell, Ward, Trent Crittenden and overseas player Ben Aitchison.
However, bolstering the ranks are Gabriel Joseph, returning from a season out and having previously played for Blacktown, Ajay Singh (Northern Districts), Dhruv Kant (Blacktown) and Gaurav Dogra (Blacktown).
Batting is one of the club’s strengths with the likes of NSW representative Nick Bertus and Ben Abbott leading the line-up.
The club is famously the home of Richie Benaud.
UNIVERSITY OF NSW CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: David Phillps South
Last season: 17th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: In: C hris Tremain (Victoria), Adrian Isherwood (Wests), Djali Bloomfield (ACT), Suffan Hassan (Sydney) and Ethan Jamieson (St George).
Head coach Corey Richards said the goal for the team this season is to see continued development, both as individuals and collectively.
“If we are playing better cricket at the end of the season than what we are at the start, everything else will fall into place and results will take care of themselves,” he said.
The club finished the last season in 17th.
“Our strengths are that we have a very young, talented and motivated group of players who are keen to improve and be successful,” he said.
The team is a little inexperienced compared to some of their rivals.
“However we have identified all of this in our SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis and have taken every step to turn this into a positive with a young developing squad,” Richards said.
Joining UNSW are Chris Tremain (Victoria), Adrian Isherwood (Wests), Djali Bloomfield (ACT), Suffan Hassan (Sydney) and Ethan Jamieson (St George).
SUTHERLAND CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Glenn McGrath Oval
Last season: 16th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: Out: Tom Pinson (SA). In: Tushaar Garg (Bankstown)
Sutherland were left disappointed by their 2019/20 result of 16th and start the season with the goal of going deep into the finals.
But missing from their campaign will be Tom Pinson, who is off to South Australia where he is pursuing higher honours.
“We have picked up a young quick from Bankstown by the name of Tushaar Garg who bowls with good pace and control. We are excited to see him in full flight in what we hope to be a big breakout year,” said coach Dan Rixon.
“Our team boasts match winners throughout. With the added consistency and continuity of game plans in conjunction to players’ roles in the team, we hope this will correlate into the success we expect from our First Grade team in season 2020/21.”
The club is home to Steve Smith with former players including Glenn McGrath and Stuart MacGill.
CAMPBELLTOWN CAMDEN DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Raby Oval 1
Last season: 8th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: In: Adam Whatley (St George), Jona Sammut (Blacktown) and Brock Larance (NSW Country).
Campbelltown Camden have picked up some talent they believe will see them improve on their eighth place finish last season.
The club said it has additional depth in the batting department with the addition of Adam Whatley (St George), Jona Sammut (Blacktown) and Brock Larance (NSW Country).
Their bowling is strong with all-rounders Luke Webb, Ben Patterson and regular quicks Sam Skelly and Luke Courtney.
The Ghosts also have a good measure of young talent coming through, including Jackson Isakka, Will Salzmann and Jayden Zahra-Smith who will play under the guidance of experienced leaders in Phil Wells and Nathan Glynn.
The club is expecting to see more of NSW State squad and Sydney Thunder player Tanveer Sangha.
Player development at the club has increased player depth, with experienced players returning to strengthen the lower grades.
There is also a good group of youth pathway players from the Macarthur, Illawarra and Highlands areas.
“This will give us competition for spots which has been lacking the last few seasons,” the club said.
Notable past players include Brett and Shane Lee, Michael Bevan and Monty Panesar.
MANLY WARRINGAH DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Manly Oval
Last season: 11th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: In: Ben Bryant (North Sydney).
Manly are aiming high from the start, with their goal to be premiership contenders in 2020/21.
Last season Manly finished 11th after being in the bottom five for much of the season. But the club said the aim is to be battling it out for the top six this time round.
The major inclusions for the club include Ben Bryant who has come over from North Sydney to help in the batting department.
A major milestone is on the cards this season for Cameron Merchant.
Known as “Nappa”, he currently sits on 14 hundreds for the club (across all five grades) and is only one hundred away from equalling the clubs all-time record.
The club said a team strength is some depth in batting and the inclusion of Steve O’Keefe for the season outside of his Big Bash commitments.
Michael Visser’s retirement will be a big loss as will be the absence of Mickey Edwards, who is out for the first two months with injury.
NORTHERN DISTRICTS CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Mark Taylor Oval
Last season: 7th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: Out: Ajay Singh (Parramatta). In: Axel Cahlin (Gordon) Lachie Shaw (Sydney) and Danul Dassanayake (Mosman).
The club last season just missed the finals and finished in seventh place so their goal is a simple one - “we want to play in the last three weekends this summer’’.
This year former players Chris Green and George Furrer return to Northern Districts where they started their Premier Cricket careers.
Opening batsman Axel Cahlin joins the club from Gordon, Lachie Shaw is NSW U17 captain and a keeper/bat formerly from the Sydney club and Danul Dassanayake is an off-spinning all-rounder who joins from Mosman.
Ajay Singh has moved across to Parramatta.
The club’s strength is a core of talented older players looking to bring through some young guns.
Former cricket greats who represented the club include Mark Taylor and Nathan Lyon.
GORDON CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Chatswood Oval
Last season: 15th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: Out: Charlie Stobo (WA), Axel Cahlin (Northern Districts). In: Dylan Hunter (Newcastle)
A new-look Gordon will be heading out onto the pitch this season having lost eight players from the last competition.
The majority of players retired after long first grade careers while Charlie Stobo has moved across to Western Australian to try and pursue a professional contract.
New to the club is Dylan Hunter.
“We are beginning a new cycle at Gordon and although there is a lot of inexperience, we have a lot of good young players who will get an opportunity to express themselves in the top grades,’’ the club said.
The club finished 15th last season but have aspirations to move up the ladder this year under the guidance of captain Tym Crawford.
A strength for the club will be the competition for spots.
Players from this club of note who have gone on to play for Australia include Victor Trumper, Adam Gilchrist and Phil Emery.
WESTERN SUBURBS DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB
Home ground:
Last season: 10th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: Mohammad Irfan (uncertain).
Western Suburbs finished in 10th place in NSW Premier Cricket last season after a number of costly close losses to rivals.
The club has sets its sights firmly on playing finals cricket this season.
The strength of Western Suburbs is batting and spin bowling along with a fantastic team spirit.
The club now boasts a good young team which has been together for some time which could be a major strength.
“We have been there and there abouts and are a threat at time but haven’t put it all together in a season,’’ the club said.
The one big uncertainty for the club is whether they will get Mohammad Irfan back for the season.
Some of the big names to have played for the club include Michael Clarke and Mitchell Starc.
Penrith CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Howell Oval
Last season: 12th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: Out: Ryan Gibson (SA), Brent Atherton (Penrith).
The captain of Penrith this season will be Ryan Smith with the campaign ahead expected to be “challenging” according to coach Michael Wholohan.
This is due to the departure of former NSW batsman Ryan Gibson to South Australia and opening batsman Brent Atherton and the potential for NSW contracted player Ryan Hackney to be tied up with Sheffield Shield duties.
The club finished mid-table last season after being premiers the season before.
Wholohan said a great strength is the young and closely-knit team, with the vast majority of the squad Penrith juniors.
“We are an very good fielding side and have enjoyed a fair bit of success in white ball cricket over the past few years,” he said.
HAWKESBURY CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Owen Earle Oval
Last season: 18th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: Out: Nivi Radhakrishnan (Sydney University), Peter Forrest.
Based in Richmond, the first grade side last season made the final of the T20 competition, captained by former Australian one day player and local product Peter Forrest.
This season, however, the club will be without him and also teen all rounder Nivi Radhakrishnan, who had a breakthrough season with the bat last season.
Dale McKay has been elevated to the captaincy role after 10 seasons of first grade.
The club is working towards improving their overall competition finish of 18th last season in the upcoming Premier Cricket season.
Notable players to have played for Hawkesbury include Stephen O’Keefe and Peter Forrest.
BANKSTOWN DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Bankstown Oval
Last season: 3rd (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: Out: Tushaar Garg (Sutherland)
The famous Bankstown club won the club championship last season and finished third overall.
Coach Gary Crowfoot said the expectation is for the club to have another great season in 2020/21 with grades pushing for the finals.
Two players in particular are key for the club in Daniel Solway, who is in the state bubble, and Nathan McAndrew.
“This is a young team starting to develop into a strong unit,’’ Crowfoot said.
“We have good variation with the ball and look to be competitive with the bat.’’
Notable Bankstown players have included Steve, Mark, Dean and Danny Waugh, Jeff Thomson, Len Pascoe, Corey Richards and Aaron Bird.
EASTERN SUBURBS CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Waverley Oval
Last season: 5th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: In: Henry Thornton (Victoria).
Jack Preddey will captain the side for the 2020/21 competition after Easts finished as finalists in both the two-day and one-day competitions, but due to COVID restrictions and wet weather were unable to contest either finals series.
The goal is to this year repeat those efforts and also be finalists in the T20 competition.
The line-up for Easts is similar to last season with no major new recruits.
However, Henry Thornton has returned from Victoria where he had planned to play the season prior to their second lockdown.
The team should have a settled line-up after only minimal changes.
There have been a number of players of note from the club including Greg Matthews, Brad Haddin and Nathan Bracken.
SYDNEY CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Drummoyne Oval
Last season: 4th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: Out: Suffan Hassan (UNSW).
Last season the club finished fourth in the Belvidere Cup, were semi-finalists in the 50 over competition, won the Kingsgrove Sports Twenty/20 competition and the CA National Premier Twenty/20 Cup in Adelaide.
However, there are 11 players from the top three grades who are not returning to play this season due to a combination of retirements and players seeking opportunities elsewhere.
The club said aspirations for the first grade team are they train hard, play hard, but fair and enjoy their cricket.
“If we do these three simple things our outcomes and results will reflect our attitude,’’ said coach Michael Haire.
A strength of the side is a strong core of players who have been together over recent years and a number of players in the CNSW Pathways program.
“They are highly skilled players who know their role and know what is expected of them in the team environment,’’ Haire said.
UTS NORTH SYDNEY
Home ground: Bon Andrews Oval
Last season: 6th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: In: Brent Atherton (Penrith), Aiden Bariol (Sutherland). Out: George Lavelle (UK), Ben Bryant (Manly).
UTS North Sydney have a new face in the side in Aiden Bariol from Sutherland, a wicketkeeper who has been in the NSW under 17s and 19s programs.
Another new inclusion is Brent Atherton who is an opening bat from Penrith.
Other members of the team stepping out this season include top order batsman Tom Jagot who was selected in the NSW second XI last season.
The first grade side will be without George Lavelle from Lancashire in the UK and opener Ben Bryant who has moved to Manly.
Batsman Justin Avendano will captain the side and is also contracted with the Sydney Sixers.
UTS North Sydney last season made it to the finals with a goal this time round of taking home some silverware.
MOSMAN CRICKET CLUB
Home Ground: Allan Border Oval
Last season: 14th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: In: Peter Forrest Out: Danul Dassanayake (Northern Districts)
Former Australian international, Peter Forrest, will be a major addition to Mosman’s First Grade side as well as the coaching team.
He’s moved over from Hawkesbury and will be looking to help the Whales improve on last season’s 14th place.
Bowler Danul Dassanayake will be a loss but there’s plenty of young talent at Allan Border Oval.
Perhaps most notably is Lachlan Hearne who appeared in the U19 Cricket World Cup last year and looks a good bet to play Test cricket in the next few years.
However, Mosman are likely going to lose Hearne to representative duties for a number of rounds.
The Whales will be led again by wicketkeeper Ash Doolan.
OTHER CLUBS
ST GEORGE DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB
Home ground: Hurstville Oval
Last season: 9th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: Out: Adam Whatley (Campbelltown)
Famous club boasting a host of former Australian Test players. The club will be looking to improve on its 9th place finish in the Belvidere Cup.
BLACKTOWN DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB
Home Ground: Joe McAleer Reserve
Last season: 19th (Belvidere Cup)
Key Ins/outs: Outs Dhruv Kant (Parramatta), Gaurav Dogra (Parramatta).
The club finished second last in 2019/2020 and has lost a number of players to rival clubs in the off-season.
The club is one of the oldest in the comp and was founded in 1894.
FAIRFIELD-LIVERPOOL CRICKET CLUB
Home Ground: Rosedale Oval
Last season: 20th (Belvidere Cup).
The club is based in Sydney's south west and was established in 1922-23.
Last season the Lions finished last in Premier Cricket.
Their most notable former player is Doug Bollinger.