ECA 2024-25: Players set to shape the finals series

Crunch time has arrived in the Eastern Cricket Association and we have listed the players set to shake up the finals in the top three grades.

Xavier of North Balwyn. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The finals of the 2024-25 Eastern Cricket Association have arrived.

Semi-final action will take place this weekend.

The competition’s top tier, the Dunstan Shield, Mont Albert and Edinburgh do battle for a place in the decider while North Balwyn and Old Carey tackle the other semi-final.

Second tier action, the Wright Shield, sees Richmond City host Deepdene Bears while Heathmont and East Malvern Tooronga looked to go one step further.

In the Sturgess Shield, Surrey Hills take on Ashwood while Hawthorn Boroondara take on Burwood for a place in the decider.

We’ve profiled two players from each team who could make a difference.

DUNSTAN SHIELD

Xavier Bateman, North Balwyn

The leading wicket taker for the Bulls this season with 19 at an average of 13.89. Bateman has proven to be a valuable commodity with the bat as required highlighted by a 70 against Glen Iris.

Lucas Hutchinson, Mont Albert

Finished as his side’s equal leading run scorer with 417 at 34.75. Has a century and three half-centuries to his name for the campaign.

Rahul Khera, Old Carey

The experienced star was the leading performer with the bat for his side, scoring 444 at 44.4 for the season.

Sam Morarty, Old Carey

One of the leading performers with the ball throughout the season for his side. He finished with 26 wickets at a lowly 15.

Old Carey’s Sam Morarty. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Jack Morley, Mont Albert

Finished as the minor premier’s leading wicket taker with 30 at 19.39, the second most in the competition. Morley has also provided plenty of valuable contributions with the bat with several scores above 30.

Nitesh Patel, North Balwyn

Has been in brilliant form throughout the season. Patel has scored 515 runs at 42.92 including a century in his most recent game. He’s chipped in with the ball as required with eight wickets at 21.75.

George Pritchard, Edinburgh

Has been an excellent pick up after crossing from Subbies club Taylors Lakes in the off-season. He’s scored 219 runs at 27.38 and managed to claim 18 wickets in the Dunstan Shield throughout the season.

Suraj Kaluhalamulla Randiv, Edinburgh

The former Sri Lankan international is surely the favourite for the league medal. Finished the regular season as the competition’s leading run scorer with 620 at 51.67 and best bowler with 33 at 10.21. His form this season includes a century in the opening game against this weekend’s opponents before going onto score two half-centuries. He’s only scored 14 in his last two innings and will be desperate for a return to form.

WRIGHT SHIELD

Charlie Allison, Deepdene Bears

The Englishman has been one of the leading batters in the second tier this season. Allison finished with 499 runs at 45.36 including back-to-back centuries in the last two regular season fixtures.

Charlie Allison.

Jade Christensen, Deepdene Bears

Has led the Bears attack from the front this season with a competition best 28 wickets at 13.96. Christensen has taken eight wickets in multiple games this season.

Connor Fisher, East Malvern Tooronga

An impressive campaign with the bat and ball. Fisher was his side’s leading wicket taker with 20 at 22.2. He’s proven he can add some valuable runs in the middle order if required.

Clayton Hawley, Richmond City

A real key in his side’s success after their promotion last season. He’s gone onto take 22 wickets at 19.23.

Luke Maslen, Richmond City

Joined the club before the start of the season and has proven to be an excellent acquisition. He finished as his side’s leading run scorer with 462 at 46.2. He’s been in strong form with the ball in the last four games with five wickets.

Nathan McGuire, East Malvern Tooronga

McGuire finished as his side’s leading run scorer this season with 537 at 41.31. His campaign has included a century and three 50s. He’s also proven to be a valuable contributor with the ball taking 15 wickets.

Sachin Peiris, Heathmont

Peiris has taken a wicket in all but one game this season with best figures of 5-20 against Ashburton Willows. He ended the home-and-away season with 26 at 15.19.

Trent Wynne, Heathmont

One of the leading all-rounders in the competition. Wynne has scored a team-high 462 runs at 35.54 and has also chipped in with 11 wickets.

STURGESS SHIELD

Jarrod Dennis, Ashwood

A real force with the bat for his side this season, scoring 539 runs at 44.92. His highest score of the season was 119 against Deepdene Bears. He set a club record for the most individual runs in a First XI season.

Nathan Douglas, Hawthorn Boroondara

Douglas has scored 507 runs at 42.25 this season including a century and two 50s. He’d be hoping to go to the next level in the finals series.

Nathan Douglas.

Will Hale, Surrey Hills

The English import has been a star recruit for Surrey Hills. Hales hit a competition high 693 runs at 57.75 including two centuries during the season.

Jordan Irish, Ashwood

One of the third tier’s better bowlers this season after finishing with 27 at 17.74.

Patrick Jones, Burwood

The competition’s leading wicket taker with 33 at 11.64 for the season. He went wicketless in the first and last games of the campaign.

Siddharth Neelakantan, Burwood

The young gun has put together a nice season for his side with 313 runs. Capable of producing some moments of brilliance with the ball.

Tharindu Rudrigu, Hawthorn Boroondara

Finished as the competition’s second leading wicket taker for the season with 30 at 10.33. Capable of adding valuable runs with the bat.

Jack Redshaw, Surrey Hills

The second import on Surrey Hills’ books this season. Redshaw has been one of the leading all-rounders in the competition. He’s taken 20 wickets at 17.6 to go along with 584 runs at 41.71.