VTCA: All the latest VTCA signings ahead of season 2023-24
There has been plenty of movement on the player signing front across the VTCA in recent weeks. Here's everything you need to know.
North West
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Victorian Turf Cricket Association clubs have been busy making moves ahead of the 2023-24 season.
We’ve broken down all the latest moves across the competition.
SENIOR DIVISION
SUNSHINE UNITED
Lahiru Kumara
The former Footscray United all-rounder was announced as the Tigers first off-season signing. He arrives at Selwyn Park after helping his former club to the Division 2 premiership.
Dilum Weerarathna
Arrives from Senior Division rivals Craigieburn as an all-rounder capable of doing damage with the bat and ball.
SYDENHAM-HILLSIDE
Derone Davis
Davis is a former West Indies under-19 international who will add another spinning option.
Declan Highgate
Highate returns to the club after two seasons in the VSDCA with Strathmore. He is a two-time premiership player with the Storm.
Adrian Neill
The Storm have secured one of the biggest signings of the off-season following the arrival of Scottish international Neill. The 29-year-old, who stands at 6’9”, has played 14 games for his country across ODIs and T20 internationals. “We are sure his experience and ability will be of huge benefit to our Men’s First XI as we navigate our debut season in the VTCA Senior Division,” the club said.
DIVISION 1
ST FRANCIS DE SALES
Tim Hughes
The opening bowler arrives from Premier club Footscray where he regularly featured in the First XI.
Declan Knights
Knights comes to the club from Strathmore where he earned a reputation as a strong all-rounder.
DOUTTA STARS
Ben Speake
Speake has been confirmed as the club’s playing coach, replacing Lorenzo Ingram. He was previously a premiership player in the 2014-15 season.
Tim Moses
Moses, an Englishman, has previous experience with Seddon in 2017-18 where he was the competition’s leading wicket taker. He arrives from England as a pace bowler.
FOOTSCRAY UNITED
Daniel Deasy
Deasy will be a fresh addition to United’s Saturday teams — he spent last season in their Sunday sides. His brother James has also joined the club from Essendon.
Other signings: Sanju Jayasekara, Nimesh Kariyawasam.
DIVISION 2
TULLAMARINE
Mohan Bandara
Bandara’s pace bowling is expected to cause plenty of headaches for opposition teams. He has been a net bowler for some international clubs.
Videsh Dassanayake
Described as a “classy middle order batsman” by his new club, he’ll also be able to roll the arm over.
Harry Meehan
Tulla described their latest signing as a “quick bowler with an unorthodox actio, which we are confident will put pressure on the opposition for the upcoming season”.
ALTONA ROOSTERS
Jack Blythman
The Roosters have confirmed Jack Blythman as their new senior coach. "Jack has become a familiar face around the club over the past two years," they said.
NEWPORT DIGMAN
Daniel Murphy
Murphy has re-joined the Bulls as an assistant coach after having spent the last three seasons as Williamstown Colts head coach.
DIVISION 3
EAST KEILOR
Sartaj Shinwari
East Keilor added to its fast bowling stocks with the arrival of Shinwari from Berwick. He is expected to open the bowling.
GLENROY
Dylan Appleby
Appleby has signed from Altona where he has previously been a regular feature in the Subbies’ club’s First XI, although, he only played two games last season.
Jamie Bellam
Another new face into the Glenroy line-up, Bellam has signed from South Morang in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association.
Dean Gila
A two-time league best-and-fairest, Gila arrives from fellow VTCA club Keilor Park. He hit 363 runs at an average of 51.86 last season while also taking 30 wickets.
Austin Wynne
A former club champion, Wynne returns after spending time with Westmeadows.
PASCOE VALE HADFIELD
Nathan Teasdale
Arrives from Maribyrnong St Mary’s where he earned a reputation as a talented bowler.
CAROLINE SPRINGS
Shiran Rajakaruna
Rajakaruna has been appointed as the club's new head coach after arriving from Endeavour Hills in the VSDCA. He was a regular player in the Hills First XI last season and has previous VTCA experience with Deer Park.
DIVISION 5
MELTON SOUTH
Thilan Maduranga
The medium pacer comes across from Grand United where he spent the last two seasons playing in the First XI.
Charith Ruchiranga
Has played some First XI cricket at Melton and will be an important addition to the club’s batting stocks.
Charana Wedage
Wedage has spent the last several seasons with Melton and will add to the Royals bowling stocks.
Rhys Mutch
Arrives from Grand United where he spent time between the First and Second XIs last season. Also has experience with Altona.
POINT COOK CENTRALS
Rasanjana Don Arachchige
A previous Division 3 Player of the Year, Arachchige will offer plenty with bat and ball.
Dimantha Fernando
A wicketkeeper who can open the batting, Fernando will be an exciting talent to watch.
Saroos Jazeem
The club says he will be a strong addition in the middle order as well as in the field.
Ashen Perera
The fast bowler has previous experience in the competition with Sunshine but spent the last campaign with Rosebank.
Puneesh Sharma
Capable of moving the ball both ways, he looms as a welcome addition who will provide plenty of leadership.
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