Premier Cricket: Recruits to bolster Frankston Peninsula’s 2020-21 campaign

Frankston Peninsula has picked up a talented young spinner with Premier Cricket experience, and hopes to secure an international player. And a couple of MPCA stars are on the radar, too.

Benny Howell of Gloucestershire at The County Ground in Bristol, England last week. Picture: Harry Trump

Frankston Peninsula has picked up a young spinner from a rival Premier Cricket club, while it sets its sights on an English County batsman.

Bailen Clarke, a left-arm orthodox spinner who played in the firsts at Fitzroy Doncaster, will line-up with the Heat in 2020-21.

“He wanted a bit more of a go so he’s come to Frankston,’’ Heat assistant coach Peter Buchanan said.

“He’ll play in our firsts.’’

Buchanan said Frankston Peninsula was also looking at two English players with Australian passports.

Bailen Clarke (second from left) celebrates a wicket for Fitzroy Doncaster in Premier Cricket.

Felix Organ, who played with the Heat last season, is a chance to return this summer, while Gloucestershire batsman Benny Howell is another possibility.

Howell’s parents live in Mornington.

Frankston Peninsula had three Sunday training sessions before coronavirus restrictions halted preparations.

Buchanan said the Heat had spoken to a lot of players about coming to the club and hoped the best from the Mornington Peninsula competition would try their luck.

He hoped Peninsula Old Boys blaster Dylan O’Malley and Langwarrin’s Matt Prosser would consider playing in the Super Slam for the Heat.

Dylan O'Malley blasts off for Peninsula Old Boys. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

“We want to specialize that group and get a few of the local boys in it, guys like Matty Prosser and Dylan O’Malley…we all know what he does but he does it pretty well when it comes off,’’ Buchanan said.

“They might play, they might not, but just get them into the group, make them feel a part of it.’’

Buchanan confirmed Nick Boland had left the Heat to join Prahran.

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