Leader Local Cricket scribes select star-studded Premier Cricket Teams of the Year
The cream of the crop has been named in Leader’s Premier Cricket men’s and women’s Teams of the Year. Check out the star-studded XIs.
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The cream of the crop this Premier Cricket season.
We’ve brought together the top 12 players in the men’s and women’s competitions to form two star-studded Teams of the Year.
There are runs and wickets galore with 14 different clubs represented.
Who’s unlucky to miss out? Have your say on our XIs.
MEN’S
1. DAVID KING (Ringwood) (Capt)
The Rams skipper will also lead our XI after arguably a career-best season in an already legendary career. Ranked second in the competition for runs, scoring 775 runs – hitting two tons – at an average of 77.5. It’s seen him move to 11,370 career runs, sixth most in Premier history, with finals still to come. On top of that, snared 29 wickets – third most in the competition – to be the only player in the top-10 in both categories. Now just two wickets away from 300 career scalps. Surely a red-hot Jack Ryder Medal favourite.
2. BRETT FORSYTH (Dandenong)
The Panthers champion did a lot of bat raising this season as he put together another prolific season, scoring 758 runs at 58.31. In his 300th game (against Melbourne in December), Forsyth was involved in yet another century stand for the first wicket. And in January, he brought up his third century of the season and the 26th of his career when he made 149 not out against Melbourne University.
3. SHOBIT SINGH (Dandenong)
A change of scenery and change of approach at the crease worked wonders for Singh this season. He has been a revelation for new club Dandenong, releasing the shackles and taking a far more aggressive approach that has allowed him to top the run-scoring charts with a stunning return of 907 runs at an average of 75.58, including three tons.
4. JUSTIN GALEOTTI (Greenvale Kangaroos)
Despite the Kangaroos finishing last and winning just one game, the skipper produced arguably a career-best season at the top of the order. Galeotti finished with 714 runs – fourth most in the competition – at an average of 59.5. He scored three centuries – all not out – with a high of 161 and another two half-centuries, equating for 25 per cent of the club’s total runs this season. Chipped in with five wickets too.
5. JONATHAN D’ROZARIO (Richmond)
The 23-year-old credits a more confident approach for his golden summer, which yielded 636 runs at 57.82. After going without a century in his first 40 matches for Richmond, he came of age this season to score three — 103, 102no and 135 — to put his name in the frame for higher honours.
6. JOSH MANNING (Kingston Hawthorn)
Started the season with successive centuries, 112no and 124no, and went on to tally 637 runs at 57.91. With his fighting qualities and leadership, the left-hander was a driving force behind the Hawks’ improved season as they banked six wins.
7. JAI LEMIRE (Carlton) (WK)
Had already earned a Victoria rookie contract ahead of the season and only firmed his case for a state opportunity in the past few months with a double ton against Melbourne and 134 in the final round against Casey-South Melbourne. The Blues gloveman has been crucial to Carlton’s second-place finish and has often been the man the innings is constructed around.
8. RUWANTHA KELLAPOTHA (Casey-South Melbourne)
Kellapotha topped the wicket count for the second time in his career – having also done so in 2021-22 – with 37 scalps at a tidy average of 21.14. The leg-spinning marvel snagged four or more wickets on four occasions and only failed to claim a scalp twice all season. Also chipped in with two half centuries.
9. BRODIE SYMONS (Prahran)
In his first season after crossing from Frankston Peninsula, the paceman finished with 29 wickets at an average of 19, equal third most in the competition. Symons had season best figures of 5-66 against Casey-South Melbourne early in the season. He made a couple of valuable contributions with the bat after a couple of scores in the 40s.
10. NATHAN LAMBDEN (Casey-South Melbourne)
Fit and fast, the big Swans quickie had another terrific season with 32 wickets at 23.66. Made early strikes and took at least one wicket in 14 of the 15 matches he bowled in.
11. BRENDAN ROSE (Richmond)
The Tigers quick strung another consistent season together with 28 wickets at an average of 15.11. He has caused plenty of headaches for opposition bats and this marked his third consecutive season featuring among the competition’s top-10 wicket-takers. One of two ex-Berwick bowlers to crack this year’s team alongside Ruwantha Kellapotha.
12. ARJUN NAIR (Camberwell Magpies)
After a ho-hum season at Footscray, the former Big Bash all-rounder exploded back to top form with Camberwell. One of only two players, along with David King, to feature in the top-20 for runs and wickets this season. Ranked 16th in the competition for runs, hitting five half-centuries, to finish with 537 at an average of 33.56. Added 24 wickets at 16.54 to be ranked 13th with a best of 6-10.
WOMEN’S
1. STEPHANIE TOWNSEND (Geelong) (Capt)
The reigning Una Paisley Medallist skippers our side after an outstanding campaign. The Geelong star hit five half-centuries on her way to 578 runs at 55 – ranked No.1 in the one-day competition – and helped the Cats win straight through to the grand final on Saturday. Has also chipped in with the ball taking eight wickets at 21.
2. RHIANN O’DONNELL (Melbourne)
With stylish and powerful stroke play, the right-hander blitzed runs in both the T20 and one-day formats. Racked up 396 runs at 50, including eight half-centuries, in the one-day competition, ranked third overall, and added another 228 in the T20s – topping the charts – to be the leading run-scorer across both formats.
3. MAKINLEY BLOWS (Essendon-Maribyrnong Park)
The Bombers skipper enjoyed another strong season, despite the club falling down the one-day ladder. Started the season like a house on fire, scoring five half-centuries in her first four knocks and finished the one-day season with 439 runs – ranked second in the competition – at an average of 48.78. Also took a wicket in six of seven matches in which she bowled. Added another 187 runs, second most, in the T20 competition.
4. ELLA HAYWARD (Melbourne)
One of the leading all-rounders in the competition, Hayward was damaging with the bat and clinical with her controlled spin. She hit 394 runs at 50, including 116 not out off 121 balls against Dandenong in Round 12. Her bowling yielded 14 wickets at 16. Added another 117 runs in the T20s, all while juggling Victoria and Melbourne Renegades duties.
5. SOPHIE REID (Carlton)
Was on Victoria and Melbourne Stars duties for much of the season but made a huge impact when in navy blue. Played five one-day games but still managed to score 344 runs – ranked seventh in the competition – at an average of 68.8. Scored 45 or more in four of those five knocks, with a high of 156 against Prahran. Plays as a specialist bat in this line-up.
6. SAMARA DULVIN (Ringwood)
A magnificent summer for the young star. She eventually earned her Victoria debut in the WNCL after dominating the Under-18 Premier Cricket competition. In the First XI for Ringwood, Dulvin scored three half-centuries, to finish with 360 at an average of 60. Dulvin was also a contributor with the ball taking nine wickets.
7. RHIANNA SOUTHBY (Box Hill) (WK)
The Englishwoman gets the nod with the gloves after a dazzling season with the bat. Finished the one-day season with 323 runs at an average of 50. Made half-centuries in five of seven knocks and took five catches and affected five stumpings in the field. Despite playing in The Hundred for Southern Brave, only made the two T20 appearances for the Mustangs.
8. ZOE GRIFFITHS (Box Hill)
Has enjoyed a strong season with the bat and ball. Griffiths was one of the leading performers in the one-day competition, snaring 17 wickets – third most – as well as another seven in the T20s for a combined 26 scalps at 16. Also had a handy season with the bat, scoring a combined 401 runs at 37 including two half-centuries. Her 146 in the T20s ranked sixth overall.
9. KATIA JOMINI (Carlton)
The potent off-spinner was the standout bowler by some margin this season, topping the wicket tally in both the one-day and T20 competitions with a combined tally of 33 scalps to make an immediate impact at new club Carlton.
10. SHASHIKALA HETTIMULLA APPUHAMILAGE (Box Hill)
It’s no surprise the former Sri Lanka captain features given her stature in the game with over 200 internationals under her belt. Now aged 40, she continued to excel with 27 wickets at a tidy average of 12. Her best haul was an incredible 6-18 from 10 overs against Prahran.
11. MADUSHIKA METHTHANANDA (Plenty Valley)
The former Sri Lanka T20 international took a big step up for the Bats this season, going from 15 wickets last year to 22 across the one-day and T20 competitions. Her 16 scalps in the one-day competition saw her ranked fourth in the competition. A weapon in the field, leading the way with 17 catches combined, topping the field in the one-day competition with 10 and T20s with seven.
12. IRA AERY (Essendon-Maribyrnong Park)
The 15-year-old has quite the dance card. Represented Vic Metro at the Under-16s and Under-19s national championships, played under-17s locally for Druids on a Saturday and then played on Sundays for the Bombers. Finished the Premier One-Day season with 15 wickets, ranked equal fifth, and added 183 runs with the bat to be one of the leading all-rounders. Added another six scalps in the T20s.
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