Game on: Sub-District cricket north-south section preview 2022-23
An influx of star recruits sets up a cracking VSDCA north-south section season. Here is how the teams are shaping up.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Preparations are complete.
Now it’s time for the ball to fly.
The Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season is scheduled to start on Saturday.
Here’s a look at how clubs in the north-south section are shaping up.
BRIGHTON
Captain: Peter Cassidy
Coach: John Damiano
Last season: 4th (11-0-5)
In: Glen Parker (Malvern), Cooper Bingham (Newtown and Chilwell)
Out: Jack Rutter, Duncan McKenzie
Snapshot: The Tonners have had a change of leadership, with Peter Cassidy taking over as captain from Rick Damiano, who is looking forward to playing without the responsibility. As far as recruits go, former Camberwell Magpies and Malvern batter Glen Parker, who played 156 games of Premier Cricket, will slot in nicely, and Cooper Bingham, from the Geelong competition, will also boost the batting. Rob Salerni remains a key player along, with Charlie Dowling, Brenton Murphy and Justin Butterfield. Brighton’s losses are Jack Rutter, who has become a pilot, and Duncan McKenzie, who suffered a knee injury playing football in winter. Look for young Ben Edmondson to emerge. The Tonners will be flag contenders again.
BRUNSWICK
Captain: Karl Mayne
Coach: Karl Mayne
Last season: Ninth (7-1-7)
In: Marcus Staples (Nantwich, UK), Michael Porter (Bashley, UK), David Bonavia (time off), Ben Moss (Harrogate, UK)
Out: Will Lalor (Northcote), Liam Murphy (retired), Leigh Brennan (retired)
Snapshot: Last season certainly threw up some unique challenges for the Wicks, most notably not being able to field its top XI due to a points bungle at the start of the year. However, the club will look to get back to winning ways this season under newly appointed captain-coach Karl Mayne, a strong pair of recruits and a couple of familiar faces. The club’s batting will get a much-needed boost with the arrival of Marcus Staples and Michael Porter from the UK. Staples racked up more than 1000 runs for Nantwich in the Cheshire County League last season, while Porter has been one of the more prolific run-scorers in the Southern Premier League for a number of years. Meanwhile, Ben Moss and David Bonavia return to boost both the batting and bowling stocks. Simon Hill remains one of the premier bats in the competition. The bowling stocks look far more healthier with Matt Doric, Louis Cameron (when available), Henry Robertson and Jack Moss all noted wicket-takers. Mayne said with players like Hill, Doric, Cameron, his team’s best would take a lot of beating this season.
CAULFIELD
Captain: Jacob Thorne
Coach: Lachlan Graf
Last season: Semi-finals (14-0-3)
In: —
Out: Graeme Rummans (retired), Dale Denny (overseas), Chase Alfasi (knee injury), Matt Howard, Aaron Fetter
Snapshot: It will be a slightly new-look Caulfield side to start the season, with some of its biggest stars missing. A fractured ankle will sideline captain Jacob Thorne before Christmas and the great Graeme Rummans has retired. In Thorne’s absence, Daniel Forbes will lead the side, which will include some new names trying to make their mark. Youngsters Ben Britbart and Charlie Clancy are emerging players to watch. Lachlan Graf has taken over as coach and takes an upbeat attitude into the season. “We are looking forward to it, obviously it’s a bit more challenging than we thought it would be at this time of year but it’s exciting to see where we are at as a club,’’ he said.
COBURG
Captain: Aaron Shellie
Coach: Aaron Shellie
Last season: Fifth (11-1-3)
In: Steve Mihelakos-James (Footscray)
Out: Jack Sheppard (Aberfeldie), Jordan Ashby (time off), Jacob Hutchinson (time off)
Snapshot: Finished third and played finals for the first time in five seasons, in an impressive 2021-22 campaign. However, the Lions will need to find some secondary runs and wickets if they are to challenge the top teams in the powerful North-South competition this season. Aarons Shellie and Ayre finished one-two on the run-scoring charts and top-six in wickets, with Ayre crowned the Val Holten Medallist in his debut VSDCA season. However, the club didn’t have another batsman in the top-50 run-scorers and only one other bowler - Jack Sheppard, who has departed. However, the arrival of Steve Mihelakos-James from Premier Cricket club Footscray should alleviate some of the pressure with the bat, with the former Victoria Under-19 scoring 390 runs at 27 in the Bulldogs’ Second XI last season. On the bowling side, Paramvir Singh made a late return last season and looks set to take the new ball alongside Shellie, while young spinner Blake Karvelis impressed with 12 scalps. Coburg will continue to trust in its youth and looks set to hand out a couple of debuts in Round 1.
ELSTERNWICK
Captain: Lincoln Edwards
Coach: John Watkin
Last season: 8th (8-0-7)
In: Connor Ridge (Brunswick), Jacob Kerr (Karramomus)
Out: Max Tucker
Snapshot: Elsternwick will benefit with the recruitment of Connor Ridge to its side this season who scored 340 runs last campaign for Brunswick. Ridge, originally from New Zealand, had a high score of 87 from the 14 innings last season where he opened the batting. Fast bowler Jacob Kerr will also be a handy inclusion with the ball having performed strongly when he played cricket in Shepparton for Karramomus. Skipper Edwards will be a key player for Elsternwick after leading the runs for his side last season with 483. The ex-Dandenong premier cricketer and Elsternwick junior scored a century and three fifties last season. Kalhan Sineth will be important with the ball as he led the wickets tally for his side last season with 19 wickets. Elsternwick looks set for an improved season with a similar group to last year with the only difference being a few new faces and better chemistry.
IVANHOE
Captain: Troy Haynes
Coach: Scott McNaughton
Last season: 16th (0-2-13)
In: Bryce Hounsome (England premier cricket)
Out: James Galloway (retired), Simon Heather (retired)
Snapshot: Ivanhoe is set for a busy and exciting season with a new committee in full swing, a big recruit and some youngsters appearing. While the retirement of Galloway and Heather may impact, the induction of English premier batsman Hounsome is set to provide some stability in the batting top order. Coach McNaughton said Hounsome “has fit in really well” and will play a role in helping the juniors with coaching. The English recruit is locked in with the club for the next two seasons and will likely open the batting. The club is also set to unearth some talented youngsters this season as it aims to continue investing in its juniors for long term success. “We want to invest across the club and ensure that we have got success for future generations and really set ourselves up well,” McNaughton said, who is in his second year as coach. Australian dodgeballer and club captain Haynes is set to be a vital part of Ivanhoe's attack after grabbing 15 wickets from 10 games last season.
KEW
Captain: Wayne Myers
Coach: Matthew Brown
Last season: Premier (12-1-2)
In: Joe Cooke (Glamorgan, UK), Olly Birts (Guildford, UK)
Out: Jon Hastings (retired), Tom Chalkley (time off)
Snapshot: Despite the loss to two front-line bowlers, Kew remains the team to beat among the North group challengers this season. The reigning North-East group premier has secured a pair of UK imports, headlined by Glamorgan all-rounder Joe Cooke, while Olly Birts has returned for a second stint. Cooke looks an impressive prospect having played a key role in the Welsh county’s Royal London Cup one-day premiership. Kew’s top order remains largely unchanged. Andrew Chalkley and Matthew Brown, who takes over the captaincy, at the top followed by Chris Weeks, David Wildsmith and James Clark. After a breakout season with the ball, spinner Jack Carroll (27 wickets at 16.07) has returned from a season in the UK with high expectations on his batting. Coach Wayne Myers expects him to take a big role in two-day matches this season. Jacob de Paiva, Will Sist, Will Troy and Will McGlaughlin will be called upon to pick up the slack with Hastings and Chalkley’s departure.
MALVERN
Captain: Michael Beer
Coaching panel: Michael Beer, Michael McKenna, Tom Rickarby, Solomon Mire, Oscar Ursini
Last season: Qualifying finals (9-0-7)
In: Solomon Mire, Alex Pellin, Sam Huitema (Wonthaggi), Josh Coplestone (South Caulfield)
Snapshot: The Roosters will have a burst of Zimbabwean flair this season. Solomon Mire will bring a ton of experience to the City Oval, including two Test match appearances for Zimbabwe against West Indies in 2017. It means Malvern will have two Test men in their ranks, with Michael Beer to again skipper the Roosters. Malvern’s other big gun is star batter Tom Rickarby, who made 724 runs, at 55.69, last season. Expect the Roosters to contend for the top prize.
MOORABBIN
Captain-coach: Roshan Livera
Last season: 9th (6-1-8)
In: Vishva Wijeratne, Rahul Rajeshbabu (Kingston Hawthorn)
Out: Praveen Dilanka
Snapshot: The Binners are thrilled to regain batter-keeper Vishva Wijeratne after two seasons away. When last here, he racked up over 1000 runs in two seasons. He’s a top player. Last season, Moorabbin won its the last six games, with its youngsters leading the way. Luke Ashen blasted 104 off 54 balls against Oakleigh in the last game of the season to underline his huge potential. It will be a more balanced Moorabbin side, with more depth. The club has a four-year plan to build its juniors from the bottom up and develop long-term players. Paceman Damsara Menuwara has had a big pre-season and he’ll be getting a lot of wickets early.
OAKLEIGH
Captain: Ryan Pearson
Coach: Matthew Grace
Last season: Semi-finals (11-0-6)
In: Matthew Grace (Forest Hill), Will Taylor (St Kilda), Jack Clarke (UK), Frances Yates (UK)
Out: Jack Blyth
Snapshot: The Oaks have played finals for 20 consecutive seasons (winning six flags). It’s a trend they intend continuing. They’ve assembled a strong side, with former Fitzroy Doncaster and Prahran all-rounder Matt Grace joining the club as playing-coach and his leadership and ability will be key. He will complement Blake Pearson, Ryan Pearson, Brendan McGuinness and Sam Jones, while St Kilda recruit Will Taylor will take the wicketkeeping gloves. And a couple of UK players will make an impact. The Oaks report they’ve had an outstanding month of training leading up to the start of the season, making selection difficult. It all sets up for a strong season. Andrew Splatt is chairman of selectors.
ORMOND
Captain: Ben Speake
Coach: Murray Ring
In: Nigel Hunt (Prahran), Ben Robinson (UK)
Out: Cormac Hassett (Ireland)
Snapshot: The Monders have played in back-to-back grand finals under skipper Ben Speake, a great developer of younger players. Adam Bull was the leading batter in east-west section last season with 756 runs, at 47.25, including two centuries. The runs will flow again from his bat. Ormond has regained keeper-batter Ben Robinson from England, with some minor County centuries under his belt. Prahran recruit Nigel Hunt bowls medium fast and will boost the attack, while vice-captain Tom Buchanan made 206 runs and took 26 wickets last season and looms as a key again. And look for teenage leggie Senin Seymour to make his way this season. Opening bat Rory Freeman is due to return from Sweden in January, by which time the Monders should be on their way to finals again.
PLENTY VALLEY
Captain: Michael Rogneda
Coach: Michael Rogenda
Last season: 10th (7-0-8)
In: Henry Cullen (Worchestershire, UK)
Out: Nish Perera (St Bernard’s), Cal Nankervis (South Caulfield), Ryan Nankervis (Westmeadows), Aryan Sharma (Fitzroy-Doncaster)
Snapshot: Captain-coach Michael Rogneda is adamant there will not be a rebuild at Plenty Valley. The Bats have lost four key players have no plans to simply make up the numbers in the North-South group in 2022-23. The loss of reigning Gale Medallist Sharma, leading run-scorer and 2020-21 Holten Medallist Cal Nankervis and leading spinner Perera are a major blow but Rogneda remains confident in a “young, talented, competitve” team. Liam Mallia scored 314 runs last season and is still only 18, while Naman Sharma claimed 10 wickets and is 17. Plenty Valley will also welcome 19-year-old Worcestershire rookie Henry Cullen this season. A wicketkeeper-batsman, Cullen made his List A debut during the English summer, making four appearances in the Royal London Cup and made an impressive 81 not out in his final game of the season in the Second XI against Lancashire. Add in the veteran presence of Rogneda and Simon Black and the Bats will be hard to beat.
PORT MELBOURNE
Captain: Ryan McDonald
Coaches: Chris Sewell (head of cricket), Greg Eime (batting),
Josh Boyle (bowling)
Last season: 13th in east-west (5-0-10)
In: Abhijeet Sharma (India), Josh Muirhead (WA)
Out: Luke Boyadjian (New Zealand), Jonathon Crowe (WA)
Snapshot: Look for the Borough to take further strides in their second season in Subbies. Twenty-one new players have joined the club, bringing it up to 70 players on the list, meaning there’s depth and talent throughout the grades. Club champion Ryan McDonald takes over as captain, replacing Luke Boyadjian, who has returned to New Zealand. McDonald, who starred last season with 388 runs and 13 wickets, will lead side a side featuring match winners Adnan Khawaja, Nathan McDonald, Nick Benson and Paul Wookey. Port Melbourne has also secured two overseas players with first-class experience. One is a County player who plays alongside England great Alastair Cook at Essex. He’s due to arrive mid October. The other is left-hand opening batter Abhijeet Sharma, who’s played in Subbies previously. The Borough have also picked up 195cm Josh Muirhead, an experienced all-rounder who has played high level cricket in Perth and Darwin. Port Melbourne is setting its sights on finals.
PRESTON
Captain: Michael Stretton
Coach: Alex Lewis
Last season: 15th (2-0-13)
In: Kanishka Botheju, Imal Lyanage, Nivethan Manoharan (Greenvale Kangaroos)
Out: Upul Bandera (time off)
Snapshot: After a highly successful 2020-21, Preston fell back down the Subbies ladder last season, winning just two games. The club will again have a different look in 2022-23 with several new faces. The new recruits are headlined by Qatari international Imal Lyanage, who recently featured in the Cricket World Cup Challenge League series, scoring a half-century against Denmark. Fellow Sri Lankans Kanishka Botheju and Nivethan Manoharan further bolster the club’s playing stocks. The loss of gun all-rounder Upul Bandera is a blow, but coach Alex Lewis is bullish about the likes of young opening bat John Mastrogiannis and paceman Tom Downes. Meanwhile, skipper Michael Stretton remains one of the most consistent batsmen in Sub-District cricket and Marcus Murphy is a constant threat with the ball. Lewis said his young team was excited by the return of two-day cricket and believed the club had a strong base with which to grow with.
STRATHMORE
Captain: Nick Sabatino
Coach: Omar Phillips
Last season: Runner-up (11-0-4)
In: David Scott (UK)
Out: Chris Williams (Essendon), Lucas Kennedy (retired), Chanaka Welegedara (retired), John Bassi (retired)
Snapshot: The inclusion of all-rounder David Scott will be handy for Strathmore. Scott has played first class cricket in England and will be handy as a top order batsman and off-spinner. The loss of four players may take a toll however with Chris Williams departing after scoring 617 runs last season, the third most in the competition. Chanaka Welegedara, retired, will also be missed with the ball after taking the most wickets for Strathmore last season with 23. Their second and third leading wicket taker in John Bassi and Lucas Kennedy are also retiring which will have an impact. After a decent season last campaign, Strathmore could be in for a more challenging year.
ST BERNARD’S
Captain-coach: Kyle Adams
Last season: 5th (10-0-5)
In: Nishal Perera (Plenty Valley), Alex Maynard (UK), Tom Winchester (Greenvale)
Out: Ameya Gharat (work reasons)
Snapshot: St Bernard’s will miss Gharat this season but have picked up some handy players over the winter as they look to contend for a premiership. Nishal Perera scored 346 runs from 13 innings last season and could be handy alongside overseas wicketkeeper Maynard. St Bernard’s will also benefit with the inclusion of fast bowler Winchester who averaged a wicket a game last season playing mainly first and second-grade premier cricket. There is no doubt captain-coach Kyle Adams will be vital for the club again after making the Sub-District team of the year last season.
UK stint, cricket partner behind Premier Cricket’s next big thing
This emerging talent has come from the clouds with two tons in as many innings to start the season. He reflects on what’s changed and the help from his Premier Cricket partner.
GCA wrap: Club breaks 995-day drought, Warriors win thriller
After 33 games without a win, Marshall Bears have broken their drought in emphatic fashion. Plus, a skipper has led his side to a thrilling win. See how the GCA2, 3 and 4 action unfolded here.