DDCA: Our mid-season Turf 1 Team of the Year

The weekend marks the halfway point of the Dandenong District Turf 1 season. We’ve brought together the stars of the summer so far in our Team of the Year.

This weekend marks the halfway point of the Dandenong District Cricket Association season.

To celebrate we’ve attempted to name our mid-season Turf 1 Team of the Year.

Did we get it right?

1. JAWID KHAN, North Dandenong

Khan leads all opening bats for runs so far this summer with an average of 45.5. He crunched one century to lead the Maroons to their first win of the season

2. MARK COOPER, Beaconsfield

Hasn’t blasted as many runs as others in this side, but is the second leading run-scorer for openers and also provides an option with the ball. The way he has led the Tigers so far this season has also been taken into consideration.

3. JORDAN WYATT, Springvale South

The most captivating bat in the competition, Wyatt has plundered 236 runs this season at more than a run a ball. His century against Berwick was the highlight of what has been another magical summer to date.

Jordan Wyatt. Picture: Valeriu Campan

4. JAKE HANCOCK, Berwick

The meticulous accumulator has found his feet at Turf 1 level, recording a big hundred to go with one half century. Hancock remains Berwick’s trump card when it comes to finals cricket.

5. MAHELA UDAWATTE, Hallam Kalora Park

Udawatte has made a smooth transition from Park Oval to Hallam Reserve, smashing 272 runs to Christmas. He has one century – 104 not out against Springvale South – and one other half ton. Udawatte’s strike is lower to date, which would include not playing at Park Oval each week but there also appears to be a greater price on his wicket this season.

6. JORDAN HAMMOND, Hallam Kalora Park

Hammond is so important to the way the Hawks play and his performances to date is why the Hawks sit third on the Turf 1 ladder. The star all-rounder has 114 runs at 28.5 with the bat and 14 wickets at 13.1 with the ball.

Jordan Hammond. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Jordan Cleland. Picture: Andy Brownbill

7. JORDAN CLELAND, Berwick

Cleland wicket keeps in this side as he’s pouched an impressive 11 catches and one stumping this year. He’s also made a reasonable start with the bat, recording 145 runs at an average of 24.17.

8. LACHLAN BROWN, Berwick

The Bears all-rounder typically bats closer to the top than the bottom of his side but he makes this XI for his bowling over his batting. Brown is third in the competition for wickets with 16 at an average of 10.69. If he’s able to match his bowling with his batting after Christmas, Berwick becomes a much more dangerous outfit.

9. ALEX CRUICKSHANK, Narre South

The English import has made a strong early impression for the Lions, capturing 13 wickets at an average of 14 this season. Cruickshank took 5-21 against St Mary’s, 4-36 against Buckley Ridges and has bowled steadily in between.

10. JARROD GOODES, Berwick

Goodes’ return to Arch Brown Reserve has been brilliant. He sits second in the competition for wickets with 18 at an average of 14.28 and has the Bears flying at the mid-way point of the year.

Jarrod Goodes. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Jarryd Straker. Picture: Valeriu Campan

11. JARRYD STRAKER, Springvale South

If the Wookey Medal wasn’t an all-rounders award, Straker would have to be close to the top of it by now. The uber-accurate left-arm spinner has 20 wickets at a truly remarkable average of 7.3. If his average wasn’t impressive enough, he’s gone at less than two an over this year as well.

12. ROSHENE SILVA, Buckley Ridges

Silva is unlucky not to make the playing XI and misses out purely because of how little the Bucks have actually played this year. When he’s played, he has played well, scoring 201 runs at 67.