Frankston Peninsula’s ‘spin heavy’ squad ready for Victorian Premier Cricket under-18 competition

Frankston Peninsula will field a talent-packed U18 cricket squad under first-time coach Jon Holland. Here’s a look at all 17 Heat players.

Sam Gove bowling for Frankston Peninsula. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Frankston Peninsula coach Jon Holland will encourage his side to play with freedom in the Victorian Premier Cricket under-18 competition, which starts on Sunday.

Former Australian Test spinner Holland will be making his coaching debut and says the Heat squad is “spin heavy’’, keen to learn and brimming with talent.

“These blokes are a really good bunch so it’s been pretty easy for me to dip my toe in,” Holland said.

“They listen, they want to learn, they ask questions…hopefully they have a successful little season, there’s five games and I hope they put a few wins together and really enjoy it.”

Frankston Peninsula hosts Prahran at Butler Oval, Frankston in Round 1 on Sunday.

Jon Holland will coach Frankston Peninsula’s U18s.

The Heat will be captained by Flinders gun batter Sam Gove.

“He brings great energy to the group,” Holland said of 17-year-old Gove.

“The boys really like him. He gets everyone up and about. He’s played a lot of firsts cricket at Flinders so he’s played with men and knows what’s going on. He’s a good fielder and a really good batter from what I’ve seen.”

Frankston’s side also features exciting off-spinner Tom Murphy, who is in the Victorian under-17 squad.

Holland, who played four Test matches, is looking forward to imparting his knowledge to Murphy and the other spinners.

“Tommy gets good revs, he has good control, yeah, he looks really good,” he said.

“It will be good to see how he goes and navigates his way around getting in and out of overs and that sort of stuff but he looks very promising.”

Holland said he would urge his players to take the game on and have fun.

“I’ve just told them to be positive, both with bat, ball and in the field,’’ he said.

“When you’re a kid you’re going to make mistakes, they’re only just starting out. They’re going to make plenty of mistakes in the field and batting and bowling. I’ve just said not to worry about it.

“They’ve come together really well as a group.

“I’ve just said make sure you’re supporting each other and don’t get the shits with each other if things aren’t going their way, be positive and aggressive and really just have a bit of fun.

“The underage stuff is great. Hopefully we win a few games and they enjoy it.’’

Holland said he has fond memories of playing in the Southern Rangers team that won the state under-18 championship in 2008.

“I loved it,’’ he said.

“We went away up to Bairnsdale, and the final was at the MCG. I really enjoyed playing the under 18s stuff.

“A lot of these blokes still have under 19s next year so my personal point of view is to try and develop these blokes and get them into the under 19s squad.

“I think we’ve got a lot of talent and I’d love a few blokes to get recognised by the state program and get them in there…and they’ll only get better once they get to be a part of that training group.’’

Australian paceman and Frankston Peninsula’s very own Scott Boland will present the players their caps at the Frankston Brewhouse on Thursday night.

Frankston Peninsula’s U18s:

Tom Bath, Langwarrin

Sweet-timing top order bat from Langwarrin who attends SEDA. Hard worker. Cricket tragic who has joined Frankston Peninsula for this coming season and put in a massive pre-season.

Ben Buller, Clyde

Hustling medium pacer who has a small frame but large heart, has great stamina and seasoned player for his years. Can bat middle order and play a role asked

Lachlan Caldwell, Beaumaris

Leg spin bowler from Mentone Grammar, shows huge potential and gives the ball a rip, up and coming AFL umpire and also elite runner

Tom Bath. Picture: Facebook

Mitchell Cestnik.

Mitchell Cestnik, Croydon

Fast medium bowler who bowls a heavy ball and not afraid to let the batsman have a short ball. Also hits a big ball and excited to see how far Mitch can take his game

Charlie Costa, Ormond

Top order bat and capable leggie. Mentone Grammar lad who has played at Premier level already

Kane Gleeson, Ormond

Wicket Keeper and middle order bat who boasts a century already at representative level. Good hands which will only get better. Also a SEDA student

Sam Gove, Flinders

Sam has made the move at 17 to Premier level and represented the MPCA at Country Week at 16 years of age. One of the most exciting prospects at this age. Don’t be surprised if he debuts for FPCC in the ones. Captain of the team.

Kamran Malik, Hallam Kalora

Batting all-rounder who lives and breathes cricket. Underrated medium pacer and technically best batter in the squad. Rising up the ranks very quickly, keen to see Kam go to the next level. Another high performing Rowville Sec Sports product.

Jack Mannix, Tooradin

Jack is a hard worker who knows his game. A “24/7 cricketer’’ who bats top order with the ability to swing into numerous roles and a handy leggie. Will be a surprise packet. Listed and highly regarded at Frankston Peninsula.

Tom Murphy, Carrum

Tom has joined FPCC from Carrum. Picked in the Vic 17s emerging players squad and trialing for Vic selection. Could be the next Todd Murphy and wonderful to watch him bowl. Will rise up the ranks.

Tajbir Powar, Lynbrook

Taj finished the Dowling season last year in the top four batters in the competition. Moved across from Kingston Hawthorn and is expected to prosper at Frankston and score heavily again in the middle order.

Jasper Speas. Picture: Al Dillon

Mikis Vemis. Picture: Facebook

Jasper Speas, Red Hill

Fast-medium pace bowler and middle order bat, Jasper is a strongly built lad who gives bowling and batting options. Lets his talents do the talking.

Chetan Talluri, Mckinnon

Leg spinner, top order bat who is exciting to watch. Bottom age player has plenty of time to develop his game and will grow at Frankston Peninsula.

Mikis Vemis, Mt Martha

Fast-Medium pace bowler, middle order bat, natural leader and one of the hardest workers at development level has a no-nonsense approach. Won 2022-23 player of the Dowling carnival CV Award.

Harry Wallace, Old Peninsula

Fast-medium bowler who can bat in any position, elite fielder who has played Vic under age already. Great team man.

Max Wilkinson, Flinders

Fast-medium pacer, middle order bat; a great lad who will happily roll up his sleeves and get to work. Will relish playing turf cricket.

Aryandeep Singh, Cranbourne

Fast-medium pacer and late order bat. Listed at Frankston Peninsula and is seen as a development player with good potential.

Coach: John Holland

Assistant coach: Lachie Klauer

Specialist coach: Peter Buchanan

Head of Development: Pete Marshall