Cricket Southern Bayside: Bayside regains Josh Sugden from St Kilda

After winning its historic first premiership, Bayside believes it can add more success after making key signings, including a Premier Cricketer.

Bayside wins the 2023-24 CSB Division 3 grand final. Picture: Nigel Barrie

Three months after sipping premiership champagne, Bayside is keen to do it all again.

The Stingrays’ first and third XIs won the club’s first-ever flags last season, while their second XI finished top of ladder in 2023-24.

Now Bayside is looking to repeat their success and several key signings will help their cause.

St Kilda all-rounder Josh Sugden has returned to Bayside. The 21-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner and middle order bat is a former Bayside junior who debuted for the Stingrays’ first XI as a 14-year-old.

He has played in a couple of flags at St Kilda in the lower elevens the past two seasons and brings a strong junior coaching background at Wesley and SECA Under 14 Rep — a good fit for the Stingrays as they look to continue to develop the skills and game-sense of their younger players.

Josh Sugden is back from St Kilda. Picture: Facebook

Bayside has also re-signed first XI captain Harrison Bean and CSB Division 3 leading run maker and vice-captain James Vakis, who racked up 600 at 60 last season.

Also staying on are grand final bowling heroes Thomas Lamb and Richie Hunter. They took 53 wickets between them last season.

Bayside is also confident youngsters like 19-year-old leg spinner Jonny Roser, 16-year-old all rounder Noah Green, 18-year-old batter Mitch Smith and young batters Ethan Bernes, 14, and Owen Bernes, 13, can make a big impression next season as they progress through the ranks.

Off field, Bayside is continuing to build strong foundations. The committee has stayed settled for the new season with a couple of key additions, while the club has re-appointed senior coaches Darren Moser and Greg Vakis.

The club is very satisfied with the job they have done in recent years and believe they are an excellent fit for the current young and promising player group.

Bayside shows off the premiership trophy. Picture: Nigel Barrie

Young English top order bat Dylan Woolley, who was a key part of the first XI premiership side last season with 400 runs and batting well in the finals, has re-committed with Bayside.

Bayside is confident it will retain most of its first XI premiership squad apart from Daniel Stock (young English bat) who will not be returning to Bayside.

Being a very young squad supported by further exciting youth in the 2’s and 3’s, the club believes a lot of the growth in the coming seasons will come internally and from the lower elevens full of promising talent.

Bayside is still looking for a few new players for its senior teams and will look to prioritise an extra middle order bat and another medium pace bowler. Interested players are encouraged to contact the club.

The club is not satisfied to rest on the achievements of last season and is looking to continue to build on the strong base already established.