Cricket Southern Bayside: Big-hitting Premier batter joins South Caulfield

South Caulfield’s key signing is set to ignite Cricket Southern Bayside as South employ a “knock the score over” aggressive approach.

Michael De Iacovo (right) and St Kilda teammate Ed Newman. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“It’s a big get.”

Hard-hitting former St Kilda batter Michael De Iacovo is set to light up Cricket Southern Bayside next season after signing with reigning champions South Caulfield.

The 31-year-old is tipped to captain South in their 100th season.

“It’s terrific,” South Caulfield’s new head coach Nick Jewell said.

“He’s had Premier experience, he knows the club, knows the competition and he’s an A grade batsman so it’s a big get.”

It’s a homecoming for De Iacovo, who played in two premierships at South Caulfield, including the 2015-16 flag win in the VTCA Senior Division — the club’s first premiership in the top section since 1990-91.

Michael De Iacovo.

De Iacovo is handy with the ball too.

De Iacovo also played Premier Cricket with Frankston Peninsula, St Kilda and Casey South Melbourne.

He was a Saint for five seasons and played 54 First XI matches, hitting 1171 runs at 23.89, with one century.

In 2021-22 he scored a ton in the Victorian Super Slam, and at the time St Kilda captain Adam Crosthwaite said De Iacovo could “potentially play in the Big Bash’’.

De Iacovo is renowned as an aggressive, big-hitting batter and Jewell will encourage him to play with such intent at South next season.

“No doubt,’’ Jewll said.

“Highest score wins.

“We need a quick (bowler), but I’m not overly concerned especially if we’ve got a couple good spinners.

“Contain with the spin and then go out and knock the score over with the bat.”