Vic Super Slam: Wood, Bandara to line up for Frankston Peninsula in Twenty20 competition
FRANKSTON Peninsula will receive a timely boost ahead of the inaugural Victorian Super Slam Twenty20 tournament starting on Sunday, with gun batsman Tom Wood to return from injury.
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FRANKSTON Peninsula will receive a timely boost ahead of the inaugural Victorian Super Slam Twenty20 tournament starting on Sunday, with gun batsman Tom Wood to return to the Heat line up after missing five weeks with a broken thumb.
He hasn’t played since making 141 (with 13 fours and 7 sixes) against Kingston Hawthorn on October 14 but Heat treasurer Glenn Davey said he was a “definite” starter in the Super Slam opener.
And Frankston’s other key batsman Liam Tonkin “could be a chance” to play later in the tournament after making progress from a back injury.
One of the goals of the Super Slam is to identify potential Big Bash players.
Frankston Peninsula launches its Super Slam campaign with a double-header against the Hawks (at 9am) and the Saints (4pm) at Walter Galt Reserve in Parkdale on Sunday.
Two days later, the Heat hosts the Rams on Tuesday, November 27 at 5.15pm, at Adrian Butler Oval, Frankston.
Many clubs have recruited marquee players for the Super Slam, with former Perth Scorcher Craig Simmons joining Nic Maddinson at St Kilda and two-time BBL leading run scorer Ben Dunk to feature for Camberwell Magpies. Frankston Peninsula’s marquee player will be former Sri Lankan Test leg spinner Malinga Bandara.
“He’s a quality leg spinner with Test experience and is still bowling really well for Springy South,’’ Davey said.
“Spinners are doing really well at Butler Oval at the moment.’’
John Hastings, who captained the Heat in their T20 games last season, announced his retirement from all cricket last week due to health issues.
Twenty20 cricket was introduced to Premier ranks in 2004-05.
Frankston Peninsula’s Scott Phillips made headlines when he scored the first century in Victoria, belting 100 not out off 65 balls against Prahran at Butler Oval, in December, 2004.
It has since occupied various times and slots and even titles, being known as the Primary Edge Cup, the Kookaburra T20 Cup and then the Bartercard Premier T20. But CV believes the Super Slam takes it to another level.
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