Premier Cricket 2019-20: Frankston Peninsula looks to emerging talent to show the way
The Heat will lean on their young talent to step up and cover the departures of Tom Wood, Jackson Mockett, Will Crowder and Robbie Salerni.
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It’s a time of change and opportunity at Frankston Peninsula ahead of the 2019-20 Premier Cricket season.
The Heat have lost their leading run scorer Tom Wood, leading wicket-taker Jackson Mockett and wicketkeeper Robbie Salerni.
And hopes of securing Sri Lankan superstar Tillakaratne Dilshan have faded. But Frankston Peninsula coach Keith Jansz says he’s excited by the emerging talent at the Heat.
He’s tipping Brodie Symons and Nick Boland for “breakout seasons’’.
Symons, a hugely talented all-rounder, is said to be now the fastest bowler at the Heat.
Jansz said others set for big seasons include injury-plagued but talented Aidan Wheeler, paceman Ben Ashkenazi, batsman Matt Gapes and all-rounder Chris Dew.
He said Dale Elmi was likely to captain Frankston Peninsula when it hits off against Northcote at Butler Oval on Saturday.
Jansz said the Heat top order could include Gapes, Elmi, Dew and Symons, while its bowling attack was likely to feature Nick Boland, Symons, Ashkenazi, Wheeler and possibly Jamin Barron-Toop, Luke Gandy or Jason Cox.
Box Hill recruit Brodie Eccles will take the wicketkeeping gloves.
Frankston Peninsula will also be without Liam Tonkin and Tom Ewing, both on the long-term injury list.
English batting star Wood had hoped to come out for a fifth season with Frankston but decided to remain in the UK after securing a full-time job.
Jansz said the Heat was in negotiations with a couple of Australian-born English players and could secure them on the eve of the season.
Victorian fast bowler Scott Boland will play with the Heat when state commitments allow.
Frankston Peninsula
Coach: Keith Jansz.
Ins: Brodie Eccles (Box Hill), Jason Cox (Monash Tigers), Josh Edwards (Langwarrin), Steve Sandhu (Surrey, UK).
Outs: Tom Wood (UK), Jackson Mockett (Pines), Will Crowder (Peninsula Old Boys), Billy Humphrey, Billy Kennedy (Pines), Gordon Waterfall, Robbie Salerni.
Key players: Brodie Symons, Nick Boland, Dale Elmi, Ben Ashkenazi, Matt Gapes, Aidan Wheeler, Chris Dew.
Up and comers: Ryan Hammel, Jai Elcock, Devlin Webb and Sean van Wijk, Mackenzie Gardner, Josh Edwards.
Proof the Heat are rising
Two near-tons and a strong middle-order offering are signs of Frankston Peninsula’s improved status in Premier Cricket, according to Heat coach Peter Marshall.
The Jackson brothers: Pines cricket’s first family
It was a historic day in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association as five brothers played together in a First XI match, although there was some early friction.