Casey South Melbourne 2023-24 Dowling Shield list breakdown

Casey South Melbourne’s Dowling Shield side has developed some future stars in years gone by and this season looks no different. Here’s what you need to know about every player in the 2023-24 squad.

Developing the next generation of talent is forefront in Casey South Melbourne coach Lachlan Sperling’s mind.

As an established First XI player himself, he knows how quickly players can rise through the Dowling Shield and into the club’s top grades.

The Swans’ side has kids ranging from the Mornington Peninsula to Phillip Island.

“It’s pretty important, it’s such a big growth corridor and lots of different cultures that enjoy cricket,” Sperling said.

“Tapping into the local area is really important to develop our club.

“It’s important we tap into areas like Gippsland, that’s a big recruiting pool for us out there because we’re the closest geographically.

“It’s so important for the future of the club to get these kids in and move them up the grades.“

The Swans kick off their Dowling Shield campaign on Tuesday, January 9 with Kingston Hawthorn.

Here is a detailed analysis of their squad.

Casey South Melbourne Coach Lachlan Sperling. Picture: Valeriu Campan

CASEY SOUTH MELBOURNE SQUAD

AKITH ABEYWICKRAMA

An attacking middle-order bat out of Narre South in the Dandenong District Association.

TOM BARON

A leg-spinner that puts great revolutions on the ball and has already developed a handy change-up. Can also strike the ball well in the lower order.

RYDER CRAWLEY

Medium-pace bowler that bats in the middle to late order. Will be a strong finisher for the Swans this summer.

AARON D’SOUZA

Another one of the Swans middle-order batters but D’Souza is one of the stronger fielders in this squad. He scores at a fast pace against players his age.

NIKHIL KASARLA

An aggressive bat that has thrived at junior level this summer. Has made 35no, 50no, 40 and 50no in four hits for local club Narre Warren this season.

AAHIL MAREDIA

An accumulating opening bat that can also bowl some medium pace. His technique is his one-wood at the top. Maredia already plays in the Swans’ lower grades.

Aahil Maredia batting in the Youth Premier League. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Simarjit Pawar sends one down. Picture: Valeriu Campan

ROHAN MATHEW

Likely to open the bowling for the Swans. His right-arm seamers hit the wicket hard and are never shy of the mark.

GEORGE MCCAUSLAND

From Phillip Island, a left-arm opening bowler that shapes the new ball well. He has plenty of attributes in the field as well.

SIMARJIT PAWAR

Another opening bowler that bowls at a decent pace. He’s been involved in the senior squad for several seasons.

ARCHER QUELCH

A wicketkeeper bat that typically bats at the top of the order.

AKSHAY RAMKUMAR

A right-arm off-spinner that has already developed a few tricks with his variations. He plays in the Swans lower grades and bowled 26 overs in succession for figures 2-58 against Kingston Hawthorn.

Akshay Ramkumar batting for Donvale in a Subbies First XI match earlier this summer. Picture: Andy Brownbill

RESHEN SENEVIRATHNE

The left-hander will likely bat in the Swans’ top order and can take the gloves as wicketkeeper when required.

HEATH WOMERSLEY

Another product out of Phillip Island, Womersley is a batting all-rounder. He turns the strike over very well with the bat and bowls medium pace with the ball.

COOPER WOOD

Very similar player to Womersley, a good bat to have in during the middle overs with his ability to keep the scoreboard ticking and bowls medium pace.