Have bat, will travel: MPCA star gets set for another season in the Top End

Dromana’s Keirran Voelkl reveals his plans to return to Premier Cricket as he prepares to lead Darwin’s reigning champions into battle in the Top End.

Keirran Voelkl batting for Southern Districts in the Darwin and District Cricket Competition grand final last September. He scored 671 runs for the Crocodiles in a spectacular season. Picture Glenn Campbell

Keirran Voelkl emerged from 14 days quarantine in a Darwin hotel on Tuesday desperate to do one thing: hit some cricket balls.

The Dromana 29-year-old has returned to the Top End for another season with Southern Districts in the Darwin and District Cricket Competition.

His 2019 season was spectacular — he cracked 671 runs, at 55.9, including three centuries, and played a starring role in the Crocodiles’ undefeated season that landed them the one and two-day titles.

Kierran Voelkl bowling for Casey South Melbourne in 2014.

“It was a massive year for myself in regards to cricket,’’ Voelkl said.

Now onto 2020, and an even bigger challenge.

Voelkl will captain-coach Southern Districts, taking the reins from New Zealand star Graeme Beghin, and says he’s going to “embrace the challenge”.

“I love playing up here and I wanted the responsibility,” Voelkl said.

Voelkl, who grew up on the Mornington Peninsula playing for Dromana, says heading north last year was the best move he’s made.

He credits his partner Hannah for pushing him to take his cricket further.

“I’ve got to thank Hannah…she said I need to make a push for my cricket, I love it so much,” he said.

“I said, ‘well let’s just go up to Darwin’, and I ended up playing for NT against Tasmania.

“Everything just happened all at once within a short six month period.”

Voelkl said Darwin cricket was of a good standard, consisting of many interstate players on the fringe of state squads.

Voelkl batting for Frankston Peninsula in 2013, with Prahran keeper Sam Coates looking on.

Australian under 19 players Corey Kelly and Damien Burrage played alongside Voelkl for Southern Districts last season.

“It’s good quality circket and the weather is dry — you never get interrupted with bad weather — it’s nice and sunny and the wickets are good, for batsmen in particular,” he said.

Voelkl, who turns 30 next month, is determined to take his cricket as far as he can and intends to return to Premier Cricket in Melbourne in October.

He played with Frankston Peninsula as a teenager and also had a stint with Casey South Melbourne.

A few years on, Voelkl says he’s a better, hungrier cricketer now.

“I’m looking to play Premier level,” he said.

“I haven’t settled on a club yet. I want to find a club where I can learn and maybe have a leadership role.

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“I’m still yet to decide. I’m hoping what happens up here will make my decision easier.”

The Darwin season hits off on June 13 and “Kizza” is counting down the days.