DDCA 2024/25: The players that will shape the premiership hunt in Turf 1, 2 and 3
We run the rule over the top performers in Turf 1, 2 and 3 of the Dandenong District Cricket Association and determine who will shape each premiership hunt.
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Finals cricket is almost here, with just one round remaining in the DDCA home and away season.
The top four is set in Turf 1 but a fascinating relegation battle looms for four teams still at risk of the drop.
In Turf 2, Cranbourne, Coomoora and Lyndale are fighting for the final two spots in the top four this weekend; while Lynbrook, Berwick Springs and Hampton Park are all in the mathematical hunt for the last spot in Turf 3 finals.
Discover the players across every grade that will shape the premiership hunt below.
Turf 1
Ben Wright (Buckley Ridges)
Is averaging over 50 with the bat this season and his reign as one of the competition’s top bats has been showing no signs of slowing down. Can bat time and be the anchor of Buckley’s innings, having faced more than 100 balls on three occasions this season. When he gets settled, Buckley tends to be set for a large total.
Ishan Jayarathna (Buckley Ridges)
A good chance for the Wookey Medal, Jayarathna has been on fire with the ball to top the Turf 1 wickets tally with 33 scalps. Has been near unplayable and has an extraordinary average of just 11 and three six-wicket hauls. Has proven he can be a matchwinner with the bat as well after striking an unbeaten ton against Berwick in a bruising knock that included eight sixes.
Cameron Forsyth (Springvale South)
Now into his third season with the Bloods after a great Premier cricket career at Dandenong, Forsyth just continues to pile on the runs. He has 440 of them this season and is averaging 55 with the bat.
Mitchell Forsyth (Springvale South)
Hasn’t fired to the same extent as his brother in Turf 1 but hasn’t been far off at all, with over 400 runs and an average above 40. When you consider reigning Wookey Medallist Jordan Wyatt is also in the same batting order, the Bloods become a very daunting prospect indeed.
Josh Dowling (Springvale South)
The former Premier Firsts quick has long been one of the most fearsome quicks in Turf 1 and this season has been no different with 28 wickets at an average of 14.71. Has been rarely needed with the bat but is capable of helping the Springy South tail to wag, as highlighted by his half century against Dandenong West.
Damith Perera (Hallam Kalora Park)
Has been an excellent addition for the Hawks this season from Greenvale’s Premier firsts to be the leading Turf 1 run-scorer and another Wookey Medal fancy. Has 583 runs – 100 more than any other player – at an average nearing 60 and has surpassed 85 four times. Throw in his Sunday cricket scores and he already has over 1100 runs for the season. Has also been very sharp behind the stumps with 29 catches and five stumpings.
Mahela Udawatte (Hallam Kalora Park)
Is enjoying another strong season with the Hawks after crossing from potential finals opponent Buckley. There may not have been any tons thus far for Udawatte but he has still been a top-five run-scorer in the competition and is averaging 44.9 with the bat.
Will Whyte (Hallam Kalora Park)
The damaging quick has put together yet another great season with the ball in hand, claiming 29 scalps with an average of just 16.52. Will be hellbent on adding another Turf 1 flag to Hallam’s trophy cabinet.
Jake Hancock (Berwick)
He’s had a superb year with the bat and plundered 86 against possible finals opponent Springvale South earlier this month. The valued member of Berwick’s batting line-up will be crucial to their flag hopes and is averaging 52.
Michael Wallace (Berwick)
Having called time on an illustrious Premier Firsts career at the end of last season to join Berwick, Wallace has established himself as one of the DDCA’s top Turf 1 bats and – like Hancock – is averaging above 50. If those two get going Berwick will be tough to beat.
Matthew Hague (Berwick)
The all-rounder has missed games of late through injury but is a threat with both bat and ball for the Wicks. Has made a great habit of converting his Turf 1 starts this season, with five half centuries to his name and no other scores above 17. Is also a threat with the ball.
Turf 2
Mackenzie Gardner (HSD)
Has continued to impress in his second season at the Snakepit to sit second in the Turf 2 runs. Has passed 50 on four occasions including a monster score of 140 against Narre Warren. Is averaging over 50 with the bat and has 409 runs. Has also taken 22 catches behind the stumps.
Triyan De Silva (HSD)
It’s unsurprising that the potent all-rounder has had another strong year with both bat and ball. Is averaging a tidy 19.11 with the ball and has 19 wickets, while he has also struck 348 runs. Is a proven matchwinner on his day.
Sakuntha Liyanage (HSD)
Has a blistering average of just 13 with the ball in Turf 2 and 25 scalps to match. Will be licking his lips at the thought of a possible finals match-up against Coomoora, who nine of his wickets have come against.
Satheesh Sivakumaran Fernandu (Parkmore)
Has put together a 1000-run season across all competitions from 36 matches, and has delivered more than he has failed for the Pirates this season. Crucially, he has also stood up against tougher opposition with three of his four half centuries coming against possible finals opponents. Can also provide wickets with the ball.
Ankit Saxena (Parkmore)
Having notched first XI premier cricket games for Greenvale just last season, it should surprise few that Saxena has had an immediate impact in Turf 2 this season. His 28 wickets have come at an average of just 10 and he has snagged at least two nearly every time he’s thrown the ball.
Harrison Carlyon (Cranbourne)
Has been a picture of consistency with bat in hand this season and has only twice failed to reach double figures in Turf 2 while averaging 38.4 and striking close to 400 runs. Can also be a threat with the ball and has 20 wickets across all competitions.
Har Saroup Singh (Cranbourne)
Has enjoyed a great season with the ball for Cranbourne and can also fire with the bat. Has taken 25 wickets in Turf 2 this season.
Nick Suppree (Coomoora)
Someone Coomoora has been able to rely on with the ball all season, and who they will continue to do so in their quest for premiership glory. Finds himself in the top-10 Turf 2 run-scorers at present and is rarely dismissed for cheap.
Malan Madusanka (Coomoora)
He’s one of the most damaging Turf 2 bowlers and has only gone without a wicket on one occasion this season. His record of 27 wickets and sub-20 bowling average prove he is not to be taken lightly when thrown the ball.
Himesh Galhenage Don (Lyndale)
Has been uber-consistent with the bat and has seven scores above 36 from 10 digs in Turf 2. Someone who Lyndale will count on in a must-win clash with Narre Warren this weekend and come finals time if they are to be there.
Rajika Fernando (Lyndale)
Is leading all comers when it comes to Turf 2 wickets this season and has 32 scalps for just 18 runs conceded per wicket. Has also been a very handy middle order contributor with the bat and has over 200 runs. Someone Lyndale’s finals hopes are firmly hitched on as they fight to keep a place in the top four this weekend.
Turf 3
Karan Singh (Fountain Gate)
Singh has led the way with the bat for the Gators this season with over 300 runs, and every time he has surpassed 20 Fountain Gate has been victorious. Has been just as prolific behind the stumps with 16 catches and six stumpings.
Surya Pratap (Fountain Gate)
Hard to look past as he not only has he topped the Turf 3 wickets tally with 37, but he has a scintillating average of less than 10 with the ball to match. Has only gone three innings without a wicket and has taken four or more on five occasions, including two bags of six and a seven-for.
Chanaka Kahandawala (Keysborough)
Has enjoyed a brilliant season with the bat and is nearing 1000 runs across all competitions. Was at his brutal best when he led the Knights to a nine-wicket win over Berwick Springs with an unbeaten 133 that included 13 sixes. If he produces a knock like that when it matters, Keysborough will be very hard to stop. Also has 12 Turf 3 wickets including a haul of five.
James Wright (Keysborough)
Is often thrown the new ball and has been destructive with it, with an astounding four bags of five or more wickets to his name and a season tally of 34 poles.
Anmol Zakhmi (Silverton)
Has only surpassed 30 twice in the DDCA this season but that includes a monster knock of 157 at the top of the order. Has shown he can produce a big score on his day.
Robert North (Silverton)
Has been his side’s rock with bat in hand, and while he only has one half century to his name, he is good for a solid start to score above 20 on most occasions.
Harkanwal Singh (Silverton)
Singh snagging multiple wickets when he is handed the new rock is a bat as safe as they come, for he has only missed that marker on three occasions from 14 innings this season. Will be crucial for Silverton as he looks to build on his tally of 35 Turf 3 wickets.
Travis Lacey (Hampton Park)
Is second in the Turf 3 runs this season with over 400 to his name. Pointedly, his best knock and only ton came against possible finals opponent Keysborough. Can also pick up wickets when thrown the ball.
Ethan Marinic (Berwick Springs)
Has led the way for Berwick Springs after claiming 24 scalps to date across the Turf 3 season at a tidy average of 17.46. His best performance was a haul of 4-23 against Hampton Park and often produces two or three wickets.
Jattinder Singh (Lynbrook)
Is nestled in the top 10 in both Turf 3 runs and wickets for Lynbrook thus far, with 288 runs and 32 wickets to his name. His bowling average is an impeccable 7.5 including a six-for and two five-wicket hauls, and he’s only gone one innings without taking a wicket.
Jesse Walia (Lynbrook)
Is in a vein of form as rich as they come after taking match figures of 12-55 in Lynbrook’s outright win over Doveton in the round just gone. Takes his wickets tally to 26 for the year, and also has a haul of four against premiership fancies Fountain Gate.
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