Casey Cardinia Cricket Association: Players set to shape the premier and district division finals
The Casey Cardinia Cricket Association finals have arrived, and there are plenty of players primed to make a difference. Discover the premier and district division finals shapers.
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The Casey Cardinia Cricket Association finals have arrived, and there are plenty of players primed to make a difference.
In the premier division, minor premiers Cardinia will take on Pakenham for a spot in the decider, while Tooradin will do battle with Koo Wee Rup.
In district, Officer will take on Carlisle Park while Pakenham Upper Toomuc will host Cranbourne Meadows as they fight it out for a place in the grand final.
Discover the players who could shape the premier and district division’s finals listed below, in no particular order.
Premier
Alex Nooy (Cardinia)
Has enjoyed a solid year with the bat in premier and is averaging only a touch below 50. A consistent performer who only failed to reach double figures once all season.
Chris Smith (Pakenham)
Has eclipsed the 500-run mark for the season and has a stunning average of 71.71. When he gets set he has proven he is tough to dismiss, with three scores above 70 he has a pair of not outs and a run out – and one of those was a monster knock of 229 against Devon Meadows where he eclipsed his own club record. The three-time Terry Stephenson Medal winner has been the benchmark of the league for some time and if he gets set Pakenham will be very tough to beat.
Luke McMaster (Koo Wee Rup)
Impossible to look past as a difference-maker after he took out the league’s Terry Stevenson medal as its best player. The dominant all-rounder has been a force with both bat and ball, striking over 400 runs and also taking 24 wickets at an average of just 13.54.
Jason Williams (Pakenham)
Fresh off winning the club’s coveted Don Jackson Medal, the off-spinner has enjoyed a superb season, amassing 21 wickets with a tidy average. Will be one to watch in finals and has also been a solid contributor with the bat.
Tyler Evans (Tooradin)
The young player has been a wicket-taking threat all season with ball in hand and there’s no reason that shouldn’t continue into finals. Was narrowly pipped as the competition’s leading wicket-taker with 27 scalps and also notched his maiden premier half century recently.
Mark Cooper (Cardinia)
Most recently steered Beaconsfield back into the DDCA’s top flight and is now back at his home club on the quest for a CCCA flag. The all-rounder has taken 22 wickets at an average of 13.23 to date while also plundering a pair of 70s. Someone who knows how to win.
Shiran Rathnayake (Koo Wee Rup)
The new signing has been a great addition for the Demons this season and leads all comers with the bat in premier with a whopping 656 runs to his name already. Can also be damaging with the ball.
Callum O’Hare (Tooradin)
Performed strongly for the CCCA at Country Week and is another batsman who has eclipsed the 500-run mark already this season in premier. One of his two centuries this year came against semi-final opponent Koo Wee Rup.
Chris Bright (Koo Wee Rup)
Is second in the runs for both club and the competition, which speaks to the strength of Koo Wee Rup’s batsmen. The skipper has enjoyed a solid season and the highlight was without a doubt his double ton against Merinda Park. Another innings like that in the finals would be very handy.
District
Chathura Imbulagoda (Officer)
Is in fine form off the back of a blistering 234 not out that is believed to be a club record. Has an outlandish average of 83.78. If the classy bat is on song he’s almost unstoppable.
Manu Goraya (Cranbourne Meadows)
Is averaging 50.29 with the bat but has only passed 50 twice this year. By the same token, he has only scored single figures twice so can be counted on to make a start for Cranbourne Meadows.
Adam Hollingworth (Carlisle Park)
Has been a very good bowler and carries a neat average of just 15 into finals with the ball. Can pencil him in to be among the wickets given he’s only failed to take at least once in district this year.
Sohail Sadiq (Pakenham Upper Toomuc)
Now in his second season with Pakenham Upper Toomuc, Sadiq has continued to shine. The seasoned quick has plenty of local first XI experience under his belt so it’s no surprise he finds himself second in the district wickets with 33 scalps. If he’s on he will be tough to handle.
Jaan Balsuriya (Carlisle Park)
Has 28 district scalps to his name this season, including a bag of five wickets. Will no doubt ask questions of Officer’s batsmen in the semi-final.
Syed Akbah Shah (Pakenham Upper Toomuc)
Has 494 runs under his belt already at an average north of 50. Has two tons and a 77 to his name — but two of those came against Lang Lang who finished seventh.
Kasun Balasuriya (Carlisle Park)
The Carlisle Park skipper is averaging over 40 with the bat heading into finals and has also taken 20 wickets in all competitions.
Devon Gabriel-Brown (Officer)
The young talent has been the pick of the bowlers in the District division, announcing himself with a superb 36 wicket season to lead all comers. Can certainly break a game open with the ball and has already snagged five or more wickets on four occasions.
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