Men’s and Women’s Premier Cricket Team of the Week

Big scores and bags of wickets, there’s stacks of star power in the men’s and women’s Victorian Premier Cricket teams of the round. SEE THEM HERE

Melbourne University bowler Tom Walker. Picture: Valeriu Campan

It was a day for the openers on Saturday and all-rounders on Sunday.

There were four centurions and an unbeaten 96 in the men’s Premier Cricket competition while all-rounders continued to shape the women’s Twenty20 fixtures.

See our teams of the round here:

MEN

1. James Billington, Prahran

The True Blues opener struck 117 from just 120 balls, hitting 11 fours and two sixes. It was his first score above 37 for the season.

2. Harry Dixon, St Kilda

Dixon took to the MCG like it was a second home, blasting 120 from 121 balls at the top. Despite racing to his milestones, 50 in just 35 balls and 100 in 99, the left-hander hit only 60 of his runs in boundaries.

James Billington. Picture: Valeriu Campan

3. James Galeotti, Greenvale Kangaroos 

For the second time this season, the Kangaroos captain carried the bat. Galeotti’s 101 not out came from 149 balls and included seven boundaries and a six. It was also his second century of the season as he sits third in the Premier Cricket run-scoring charts.

4. Tearan Gleeson, Northcote

A breakthrough performance for the Dragons opener, smashing 101 from 149 balls — his maiden Premier Cricket ton. It turned out to be a match-winning performance as Northcote held off Footscray by 13 runs.

5. Dhruv Poojari Redhu, Melbourne University

The Students were in more trouble than a Werribee duck when Redhu walked to the crease at 4-26 and they were 4-37 not long after. However, a masterful century — and 155-run partnership with Henry Melville — turned the match on its head. Redhu scored an unbeaten 101 from 121 balls to deliver University a five-wicket win with five balls remaining.

6. Jonathan Merlo, St Kilda

Merlo continued his top run of form with 62 off 59 balls with the bat and 3-13 off five with the ball.

Jonathan Merlo. Picture: Andy Brownbill

7. Liam Banthorpe, Fitzroy Doncaster

Came in early with the Lions 1-13 and helped set the foundation for Fitzroy Doncaster’s 17-run win at Shepley Oval. Banthorpe scored a match-high 74 from 110 balls, hitting six boundaries. Put on a 141-run second-wicket partnership with Zach Elliott. Then snaffled one catch and completed one stumping with the gloves.

8. Evan Gulbis, Carlton

The Carlton champion delivered once again. He hit a handy 29 opening the batting before capturing a match winning 4-34 with the ball.

9. Ruwantha Kellepotha, Casey South Melbourne

The leg-spinner swept through the Camberwell Magpies’ middle order, taking five wickets in a row to reduce them from 3-138 to 8-154. He finished with 5-35 off 10 overs, his third five-wicket haul in Premier Cricket.

10. Tom Walker, Melbourne University

The emerging fast bowler generated good pace as he grabbed 3-36 off 9.1 overs to help restrict Kingston Hawthorn.

Tom Walker. Picture: Valeriu Campan

11. William Walker, Camberwell Magpies

The experienced paceman was instrumental in his side’s win over Casey South Melbourne, removing both openers and then returning to clean up the tail, finishing with 3-23 off 8.1 overs. He also got a run out.

12. Dan Scholz, Richmond

Signalled his intentions early by hitting a four and a six off the first two balls of the innings and completed the run chase with three successive boundaries to finish on 96 not out off 86 deliveries. Pounced on anything remotely short.

WOMEN

1. Ella Hayward, Melbourne

Hayward had a consistent day for the Dees, pairing 1-8 and 37 not out in the first game with 28 and 1-16 in the second.

2. Pennie Harrison, Box Hill

Opened the batting and dispatched two early boundaries to set up a successful run chase. Was out in the eighth over for 26 off 19 balls.

3. Zoe Griffiths, Box Hill

With the first match of the weekend against Melbourne reduced to eight overs a side due to rain, Griffiths’ rapid-fire 33 not out off 27 balls proved decisive. The star Mustang then took 1-8 to limit the Demons and help secure at nail-biting three-run win. Then took 1-11 and hit an unbeaten 32 from 33 balls to steer her club to an eight-wicket win over Dandenong.

4. Umasha Thimeshani, Plenty Valley

The Sri Lankan international didn’t have her usual impact with the bat but she snared a match-defining 4-13 with the ball, removing important batters Cailin Green and Jasmine Nevins.

Umasha Thimeshani. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

5. Uvindee Wijesena, Ringwood

The classy left hander hit 44 not out off 42 balls to give her side a chance.

6. Zoe Samuel, Melbourne

Bounced back from 1-10 and a golden duck in the first match of the day against Box Hill with a strong all-round performance against Ringwood. Hit 14 from 17 balls then snapped up 3-18 with the ball to help secure a four-run victory.

7. Amy Yates, Melbourne

Yates turned around her duck in the first game against Box Hill with 21 and 2-17 later in the day against Ringwood.

8. Indigo Gentry, Box Hill

The tall quickie struck in both of her first two overs and finished with 3-16 off four overs to set up a vital win for her side.

9. Annabelle Glossop, Geelong

The Cats’ first match of the day against Carlton was washed out but Glossop got the chance to shine later in the afternoon, playing a match-winning hand against Essendon. Snared 3-11 with the ball, bowling a rare maiden, to restrict the Bombers and help secure an 11-run win.

Erin Carroll bowling for Ringwood. Picture: Valeriu Campan

10. Erin Carroll, Ringwood

The Rams seamer took 2-19 against Melbourne and was her side’s only wicket-taker in the shortened game earlier in the day.

11. Ira Aery, Essendon Maribyrnong Park

Another impressive bowling display from the teenager, generating good pace and swing to snare 2-12 off four overs.