Leader’s VSDCA Team of the Year chock full of elite cricket talent
Another VSDCA season is in the books so it’s the perfect time to celebrate the season’s best and Leader Local Cricket’s scribes have picked a superstar XI.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Another sensational Subbies season is in the books.
It’s time to recognise the season’s best and Leader Local Cricket’s scribes have named an elite Team of the Year.
The XI is so strong, reigning Holten Medal winner Aaron Ayre is relegated to 12th man.
From a brilliant young Englishman to an Aussie Test veteran, there’s runs and wickets galore up and down the order.
Check out the team below and have your say on who was unlucky to miss out.
1. BEN MACRAE (Melton)
You wouldn’t know that the star opener had been away from the game for a couple of seasons based on his form this season. MacRae recorded a competition high 722 runs at an average of 72.2 with a high score of 154 against Endeavour Hills. His season in total included two centuries and four half-centuries.
2. AIDEN SALVADO (Yarraville)
This young man is going places. Hit a remarkable 653 runs at 65.3 this season across 13 innings in a season which included two centuries and five half-centuries. The wicketkeeper raced out of the blocks but did slow down a little, not recording more than 40 runs in his last four matches. Also claimed 18 dismissals (14 catches and four stumpings). Likely to attract Premier Cricket interest based on his form.
3. HENRY CULLEN (Plenty Valley)
A wonderful season for the young Englishman and, who knows, he might just have to wake up early for a video call to accept the Holten Medal after returning to the UK. Cullen finished the home-and-away season as the leading run-scorer in the North-South group and second highest across the VSDCA, knocking in 691 runs at an average of 53.15, scoring two centuries. That ranks second in club history behind Sean Ayres’ 828 in 2013-14, the season he won the Holten Medal. Also had a strong season behind the stumps, pouching 17 catches and completing five stumpings.
4. AARON SHELLIE (Coburg)
The Coburg captain-coach feasted on runs again this season, backing up his 636 at 48.92 last season with 666 at 51.23 in 2022-23. The third best season total in club history. It saw him finish second among run-scorers in the North-South group and third overall in Subbies. Also backed up 25 wickets last season with another 25 scalps at an average of 20.44, cementing himself as one of the premier all-rounders in the competition. Naturally an opening bat but Shellie slots in at No.4 in this team having spent some time there this season, including hitting a superb 125 against Ivanhoe.
5. VISHVA WIJERATNE (Moorabbin) (WK)
Wijeratne had a sublime summer for the Binners, compiling 609 runs at an average of 50.8. The 30-year-old, who has played 26 First Class matches, finished the year with a flurry, plundering two hundreds and one half-century in his last four knocks. He also took 18 catches and eight stumpings behind the stumps. With an eight-for and a bigger century by two teammates in the two outings he scored triple figures, he might not poll as well as he deserves at league medal night.
6. JANAKA LIYANBADALGE (Noble Park)
Makes our team for the second straight year after another splendid season with bat and ball. The former Sri Lankan First Class cricketer churned out 539 runs, at 53.90, batting mainly in the No.3 spot. He smacked 16 sixes, highlighting his ability to put bowlers under pressure. He also took 17 wickets, at 17.47. His stand out match was against Balwyn when he scored 117 off 138 balls and took 6-68 off 27 overs.
7. DASUN OPANAYAKA (Elsternwick)
Opanayaka was a key figure in Elsternwick’s 5-0 start, firing with bat and ball. A crafty medium pacer with lots of tricks, he finished the season with 32 wickets, at 13.91, and regularly bowled long, economical spells. His middle order batting was more than handy as he compiled 344 runs, at 24.57, including nine scores above 20.
8. GLEN PARKER (Brighton)
The Tonners’ all-rounder had a steady year with both bat and ball and played a crucial role in Brighton’s post-Christmas form. His season as a whole grossed 222 runs at 20 and 32 wickets at just 11.34, taking scalps in each of his matches this season. Parker’s season was highlighted by an outstanding performance against Strathmore where he crunched 72 before taking 6-28 and 6-36 to steer Brighton to an outright victory.
9. PETER CASSIDY (Brighton) (Captain)
The Brighton skipper toiled away for his side this year, collecting an excellent 36 wickets at an average of 11.19. He took wickets in every match he played this year, but finished the season in a hurry taking 29 wickets at just 12 after Christmas. Cassidy also at times contributed with the bat, adding 192 runs to his big season with the ball.
10. GAYAN SIRISOMA (Strathmore)
In his first season with the Mores, the Sri Lankan was the best spinner in Subbies, finishing the home-and-away season with 36 scalps – equal most across the VSDCA – at an average of 13.67. And did his damage in two fewer games than joint top wicket-taker Brighton’s Peter Cassidy. Took a season-best 6-49 against Brunswick in Round 8 and had five-wicket hauls against grand finalist Brighton and semi-finalist St Bernard’s. Sirisoma collected at least three wickets in seven of his 11 outings.
11. MICHAEL BEER (Malvern)
The former Australia Test spinner finished the season atop the wicket count for the Roosters’ First XI – and by some way – 17 clear of the next best. Hauled in 33, at 11.52, highlighted by a season-best of 5-58 off 31 overs against Elsternwick in Round 13. Took multiple wickets in 12 of his 13 matches, and had the best economy rate (2.43) in the competition.
12. AARON AYRE (Coburg)
The reigning Val Holten Medallist put together another impressive season with 558 runs at 45.23. He also proved pivotal with the ball taking 16 wickets at 39.56. Consistently made starts with the bat when his side needed him most. Almost unbelievable to have the reigning league medallist carrying the drinks but he’s beaten some super talent just to do it. Cian Dickinson (Box Hill, 481 runs, 26 wickets) can consider himself extremely unlucky, while Simon Lambert (Hoppers Crossing, 626 runs), Adam Bull (Ormond, 544 runs) and Aamir Raza (Taylors Lakes, 329 runs, 29 wickets).
Rare air for young Ram on debut
First XI debuts with the ball simply don’t come much better, or memorable, than that of Ringwood’s Justin Beaton. Remember the name.
‘He just gets it done’: Dandenong’s glowing praise for young gun
Dandenong coach Tom Donnell has sung the praises of two star Panthers, including one he thinks could be making a historical start to his Premier Cricket career.