VSDCA: Adam Bull, Dimuth Karunaratne among key performers
Internationals, gun locals and surprise packets are taking Subbies cricket by storm already this season. Here are the key players shaping the season so far.
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The Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season might be just several weeks old but it’s already taking shape.
Both ladders are already making for interesting reading with some surprises at either end of the table.
And there’s already been several key individual shaping their team’s fortunes.
Here’s a look at the key players and best players so far this season.
Aaron Ayre (Coburg)
The former first class cricketer has buried teams once he has passed the initial stages of his innings. He started the season with 108, 64 and 124 to get his young side off to a 2-1 win-loss record to begin the Sub-District campaign. He has bowled nine overs in all his games except for one and taken three wickets.
Michael Beer (Malvern)
The former Australian spinner has taken 11 wickets, at an average of 6.45. He also boasts an economy rate of 2.11 runs per over, with overall season figures of 11-71 from 33.4 overs.
Rodney Bird (Ormond)
The champion fast bowler has taken nine wickets, at 11.9, using the new ball well and then living up to his reputation as the best finisher in Subbies.
Chris Brown (Croydon)
The experienced quick has been a standout in the Cockies’ season which has yielded just one win so far. He’s performed consistently across five matches to claim 10 wickets, for a best of 3-18 at an average of 12.10 across 38 overs.
Adam Bull (Ormond)
There’s no better player in Subbies right now than Bull, who has scored three centuries in five games to propel the Monders to top spot in north-south. And he’s done it on the back of a leisurely pre-season preparation that amounted to a couple of 10-minute net sessions.
Avishka Fernando (Donvale)
The Sri Lankan leads the East-West group for wickets on 14 with an average of 8.64 across his 42 overs bowled, to go with a best of 4-21. Has taken no fewer than three wickets in three of his past four outings (twice claiming four), helping Donvale to three wins so far for seventh spot.
Harrison Goad (Balwyn)
The former Premier quick has had no trouble adapting to life in the Subbies, collecting 10 wickets from five appearances to date, with a best of 4-39 at an average of 12.30. He’s a key reason the Tigers have started the season in blistering form to sit inside the top six, highlighted by their victory over powerhouse Werribee.
Simon Hill (Brunswick)
The opening bat has been the top scorer in his side‘s two wins this season. In those matches he made an unbeaten 47 against Port Melbourne and 103 against Plenty Valley. He also got his side close to victory against Elsternwick with a top score of 65 which was ended by a run-out. Hill has also taken four catches and picked up a run-out.
Dimuth Karunaratne (Endeavour Hills)
The Sri Lankan Test skipper has certainly made an impression in the opening month of the season, driving 254 runs at an average of 63.50 – most in the East-West group so far. The left-hander enjoyed a stunning Subbies debut with a century knock against Yarraville on November 5, plundering 115 off 126 balls.
Feroze Khushi (Port Melbourne)
The Essex batter announced himself to the Subbies competition with back-to-back centuries, 109 and 101, in a run-filled weekend. Also has a 60 to his credit this season.
Simon Lambert (Hoppers Crossing)
The new Hoppers Crossing coach is leading from the front in a new look side at Hogans Road Reserve. The former St Albans gun has been impressive with bat and ball to start the season with his side 2-2. He’s scored 192 runs at 48 and taken seven wickets at 16.4 so far.
Nishal Perera (St Bernards)
Gets the big wickets and has been handy with the bat this season. Perera has taken nine wickets this campaign with seven of those dismissing top five opposition batters. He has also had two impressive innings where he has scored 61 and 43 in the middle order.
Tom Rickarby (Malvern)
The stylish right hander has strung together scores of 88, 82no and 43 as the Roosters have hit their straps. He goes in at No. 3 and scores his runs quickly.
Michael Rogneda (Plenty Valley)
The all-rounder has taken a total of nine wickets this season with eight of them dismissing top five batters impressively. He has also impacted every game with two or more wickets except for his last against Brunswick where he got one. Rogneda has also been handy with the bat with scores of 49, 13, nine and 32 for the season from the middle order. He was vital in his side‘s win over Moorabbin with figures of 3-25 from eight overs.
Noman Safdar (Box Hill)
Has been a key player in the Mustangs’ revival so far, claiming 10 wickets at an average of 9.80 across 25 overs, with his season highlighted by a haul of 6-25 in Round 1. The medium-fast bowler made the move from VTCA club Pascoe Vale Hadfield this season.
Aidan Salvado (Yarraville)
Despite Yarraville having just one win to its name so far, Salvado has hardly put a foot wrong to start his campaign. He already has a century and two 50s to his name as he raced out of the blocks. He’s been brilliant as Yarraville’s ‘keeper as well with six catches and three stumpings so far.
David Scott (Strathmore)
A consistent contributor for Strathmore with scores of 30, 31, 69, 111 and 11 to start the season. He has been the top scorer in three of his team‘s five games. Scott has also taken seven wickets with the ball and been economical. He has also been consistent in this department taking a wicket in every game except for one.
Dan Schuppan (Spotswood)
Schuppan is setting the right standards for Spotswood so far this season, spearheading his side’s impressive start to the season. He’s been devastating with the ball taking 11 wickets at an average of just 8.4. Even when he’s not taking wickets he’s been tidy with an economy rate of 2.4.
Kalhan Sineth (Elsternwick)
The off-spinner has been taking the new ball, causing havoc and bagging wickets — 14 of them — to lead the north-south section. A bag of 6-34 against Preston was sensational. His hot form has been integral to Elsty’s 5-0 start to the season.
Sean Sturrock (Williamstown)
Williamstown currently sits in the competition’s top-six and their captain-coach is one of the big reasons why. Sturrock has taken 12 wickets, the second most of any player in the competition, at an average of 8.6. He’s also proven to be pretty handy with the bat, adding valuable late order runs for the Seagulls.
Adam Yates (Altona)
Altona sits top of the East-West group and Yates’ form is one of the reasons why. He’s already hit two half-centuries in four outings this season with a 61 not out against Taylors Lakes his best performance. He’s also been critical with the ball taking eight wickets including a five-wicket haul in the opening round.
Brad Yates (Box Hill)
The keeper/batsman has enjoyed a strong return to Subbies cricket, where he currently sits third for runs scored in the East-West group at 220 and an average of 55. Knocks of 92 and 82 have spearheaded the UK import’s season, helping the Mustangs to three wins from five starts and sixth spot to date.
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