Cricket Southern Bayside: Top-class leg-spinner lands at Bonbeach

South African player Kyle Williamson joins an impressive list of players coming in to Cricket Southern Bayside

There will be a greater international flavour and slow-bowling flair at Bonbeach next season as the club extends its list of overseas players.

Ace Englishman Tom Smith is returning for a fifth season and Sri Lankans Shanuka Dulaj and Akila Lakshan have also been re-engaged for the Championship Division of Cricket Southern Bayside.

Now Bonbeach has recruited a South African leg-spinner, Kyle Williamson.

The 30-year-old has been a prolific wicket-taker in the Premier league of the Western Province Cricket Association.

Late last year he was called up to Western Province’s Africa Cup T20 squad, playing three matches.

In the 2017-18 season Williamson took 36 wickets from six matches for his club, Claremont, where he also served as captain.

Bonbeach president Mick Hogan said Williamson was relocating to Melbourne in the next few weeks and the club had recruited him via player agent James Cole from CricX.

“He’s very well credentialed. You’d expect him to do pretty well in (CSB),’’ Hogan said.

Bonbeach ended its long and frustrating run of defeats in grand finals when it got past South Caulfield in last season’s White Ball final.

It also earned the right to host the Championship final, but it was disappointing, being shot out for 100 as it chased South’s 227.

Dulaj made 43 and Smith 36 but no other player reached double figures.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Akila Lakshan is returning to Bonbeach.

“We didn’t really rock up,’’ Hogan said.

“But we did have all four teams make finals and two progressed to the grand finals. Neither came home with it but we did break the drought with the White Ball premiership. Obviously we had our eyes firmly fixed on the red ball but we were outclassed by South Caulfield.’’

Dulaj was outstanding with 607 runs at 50.58, with a highest score of 153, and Smith cracked 502 runs and took 27 wickets.

Champion fast bowler Dan Mueller topped the wicket tally with 46 and joined Dulaj and Smith in the CSB team of the year.

The right-armer has re-signed for next season.

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Only one player from Bonbeach’s grand final team, young Englishman Will Collard, will not be returning.

Hogan said that with the inclusion of Mordialloc and recruits including Brendan Drew (Bentleigh), Michael Vandort (Parkdale) and James Miller (Beaumaris), the Championship would be more competitive.

“It was tough enough last season. Parkdale finished second-last but knocked off Bentleigh and South Caulfield,’’ he said.

“I know our boys are very much looking forward to testing themselves again.’’