Local cricket greats: Matt Chasemore, Jason Fraser, Nathan Pilon among best
Each week dozens of star players take to Melbourne’s local cricket grounds. We’ve picked 75 of the best talents.
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When Daniel Watson scored another century for Buckley Ridges in the Dandenong District Cricket Association this season, it got us thinking: is there a better player in local cricket than “DJ’’?
It led us to start compiling a list of the star performers from the various Melbourne competitions.
It began with Watson, his DDCA opponent Matt Chasemore and the little champion from Gisborne, mighty Mick Allen, and quickly shot past 30, then 50 and 70.
Here they are, in alphabetical order, 75 of the best players gracing local grounds (note that players from Premier and Sub-District cricket weren’t considered, nor were overseas players).
Mick Allen (Gisborne): Allen is one of the greats of Victorian cricket, having won a Premier Cricket Ryder Medal in 2005-06 with Carlton and a VSDCA Holton Medal in 2012-13 with Melton. He claimed the GDCA’s Sullivan Medal last year to complete the set. A danger with bat or ball, he helped Gisborne to a drought-breaking premiership in his first season with the club.
James Binney (North Balwyn): The spearhead has captured 485 wickets in 243 games for North Balwyn. Binney collected 39 Dunstan Shield wickets in 2015-16, 37 in 2016-17, 30 in 2017-18 and a career-best 55 in 2018-19. Claimed 25 wickets at 14.18 apiece this season, with his inswingers continuing to trouble the competition’s best batsmen.
Leigh Booth (Hallam Kalora Park): The Booth name is synonymous at Frawley Rd Reserve and Booth continues to carry it with fine performances for the Hawks. Played 30 First XI matches at Premier club Frankston Peninsula before landing at HPK midway through 2007-08 and firing off successive centuries in Turf 2. He pinged off three more tons, this time in Turf 1, the following season. By our count he’s up to eight Turf 1 centuries, and he’s taken a lot of wickets too.
Sean Bramstedt (East Burwood): Key batsman for East Burwood over many years, and that certainly didn’t change this season playing a crucial role in the club securing the flag. Registered 419 runs, including 64 in the grand final to help it seal the deal at the end – the club’s second flag in four years.
Chris Brittain (Baxter): The strong right-hander has a reputation for smashing good bowlers out of the attack. Has scored thousands of runs and more than 20 centuries in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association with various clubs, including Baxter, Heatherhill and Delacombe Park.
Aaron Brunner (Belgrave): The former WA First XI Grade player arrived at Belgrave in 2017-18. Started out with a handy season of 375 runs, improved to 471 the next season and then exploded with 711 in 2019-20, including centuries in four of his first five hands. And he ended it with another ton! Brunner has been excellent this season too, sailing past 600 runs. He’s become the Bradman of Belgrave.
Travis Campbell (Langwarrin): A fierce competitor who hates losing, Campbell has enjoyed great success wherever he’s played. A noted big-game player, he made 71 and took 7-68 in a winning grand final for Mordialloc, cracked 135 not out in a flag victory for Aspendale and nabbed 6-68 in a GF win for Moorabbin Park. For the past six seasons he’s led Langwarrin to multiple premierships, taking loads of wickets and smashing plenty of runs along the way.
Matt Chasemore (Berwick): The former Premier Cricket star – he played at Dandenong, Frankston Peninsula and St Kilda, amassing 7377 runs and taking 219 wickets – has enjoyed team and personal success since returning to the Dandenong District Cricket Association in 2015-16. Going back to his junior club, Cranbourne, he was part of a remarkable grand final victory over Springvale South; rolled for 65, Cranny conjured a reverse-outright victory, Chasemore caning 59 not out off 42 balls in the second innings. He capped his season by winning the Wookey Medal as best and fairest player in the Turf 1 section. Chasemore crossed to Berwick in 2017-18 and has continued to score heavily with his left-hand batting, discipline and concentration still at the core of his game. Hit 635 runs last season and is up to almost 500 this season as he captains a Berwick team that will take a ton of stopping for the premiership.
Sam Coates (Beaumaris): The former Prahran captain has scored more than 2100 runs in four seasons in Cricket Southern Bayside, including successive centuries earlier this month. He’s up to 675 runs this summer. Champion wicketkeeper Coates retired from Premier Cricket in 2017 after a record 332 dismissals for Prahan. At 39, he’s still a star.
Mark Cooper (Carrum): One of local cricket’s most successful captain-coaches, winning seven premierships, and also one of its most prolific run scorers. He broke run-scoring records in a four-season stint at Koo Wee Rup with 3252 runs, at 54.20, including seven centuries. This season he joined Carrum and peeled off 504 runs.
Matthew Cox (Hallam Kalora Park): The former Dandenong and Kingston Hawthorn batsman started in the Dandenong association with Heinz Southern District in 2013-14, plundering two centuries and more than 500 runs. He cracked plenty of big scores in the following few seasons too. Cox crossed to Tooradin in 2019-20 but moved back to the DDCA this season and has had a strong season with grand finalist Hallam Kalora Park.
Simon Dart (Red Hill): What a remarkable player. Dart made a stunning entrance to the MPCA in 2012, peeling off successive, unbeaten centuries in his first two innings. And the runs have continued to flow. He’s guided Red Hill from the bottom division to the top, scoring 5807 runs at 58.66 and taking 154 wickets. Dart has also won five association medals.
Michael Davies (Buckley Ridges): “Slick’’ is in his first season at Buckley Ridges after more than a decade at Heinz Southern Districts, where he was a sterling contributor with bat and ball and won the Wookey Medal in 2017-18. He did so with 468 runs at 42.5 and 35 wickets at 10.2. As a young cricketer he tried his luck at Dandenong, where club stalwarts remember him as a good prospect.
Luke Davis (Blackburn): The ‘Burners’ captain-coach had a campaign to remember, registering 426 runs at an average of 47.33 and taking 24 wickets at 14.00 – including two hauls of five along the way – to be among the top few in both categories. More than 7000 career runs and 378 wickets to his name has earned this long-time Burner widespread respect across the cricketing community.
Rob De Haan (Elwood): The leggie has been wheeling away on the synthetic decks at Elwood for more than a decade, bowling a lot of overs and taking a lot of wickets (close to 270, with a best season aggregate of 42).
Sean de Kretser (Heatherdale): Played an integral role in Heatherdale’s tilt for a flag this season, registering 488 runs to sit third overall with an average of 34.86. Didn’t break the ton but managed knocks of 50 or more on five occasions, with his best three performances of 83 not-out, 81 and 66 coming in consecutive weeks across Rounds 7 to 9.
Peter Dickson (East Doncaster): Iced his first season at East Doncaster with a superb grand final century as his team scored an emphatic victory. After a decorated Premier Cricket career with Fitzroy Doncaster, Dickson punched out 585 runs at 65 and hit 70 not out and 121 in the finals. Class personified.
Chris Diggle (East Sandringham): The former Kingston Hawthorn wicketkeeper has given away the gloves but established himself as one of the leading batsmen in the South East Cricket Association, blitzing more than 600 runs this season.
Brendan Drew (Bentleigh): The former Tasmanian paceman and Victorian Premier Cricket star has been a dominant force in two seasons in Cricket Southern Bayside, scoring 803 runs and taking 44 wickets. As captain and coach of Camberwell Magpies, Drew won the Ryder Medal in 2016-17.
Steve Duckworth (Canterbury): The former Fitzroy Doncaster paceman has claimed a dazzling 83 Dunstan Shield wickets for Canterbury in two seasons. Duckworth netted 61 victims at 10.41 in a stunning 2019-20 campaign, including six five-wicket hauls. He grabbed 22 wickets at 15.27 in a season of one-day fixtures in 2020-21.
Michael Edwards (Montrose): Became the Wolves’ most-capped First XI player in club history this season, with more than 230 appearances to his name. But he’s also the club’s all-time First XI leading run-scorer, a club hall of fame member and an ex-captain among an extensive list of career honours. Second for runs this season at the Wolves with 340, adding to more than 6000 in what’s been a fine career.
Rhys Elmi (Baden Powell): He’s been a prolific run scorer for the Braves for 16 years, playing starring roles in the club’s winning grand finals in 2009-10 (MPCA Sub District), 2017-18 (District) and 2018-19 (Peninsula). Elmi won the MPCA Provincial’s top award, the Wedgwood Medal, last season after piling up 615 runs.
Daniel Forbes (Hampton): The former St Kilda all-rounder has been Mr Consistent in four sparkling seasons in Cricket Southern Bayside, scoring 2118 runs (at a touch under 40) and taking 84 wickets (at 17). He was instrumental in the Seahorses’ stirring premiership in 2019-20.
Jason Fraser (Monbulk): They call him “The Great Man’’, and Ferntree Gully and District association officials say Fraser is impossible to dislike, even among bowlers he has been putting on the rack for years. Fraser has scored more than 20 First XI centuries for his club, figured in premierships, won two top-grade best and fairest medals, piled up batting and bowling awards at club and competition level, and dominated Country Week carnivals. He also played some First XI Premier Cricket for Richmond in the 1990s. Even though Fraser is closer to 50 than 40 in age, he’s had another productive season in the top division of the FGDCA. It’s probably inadequate to describe him as a great player. Legend is more accurate.
Jarrod Goodes (Berwick): big-hearted cricketer who has given Berwick mighty service and enjoyed much success since returning from the hard wickets of West Gippsland in 2010-11. Bowls stump to stump with his right-arm mediums and his unerring accuracy has brought him more than 250 Turf 1 wickets. Can fling the bat down the list too. Had a golden grand final in 2011-12 when he jagged five wickets and took a cracking catch at slip to remove Springvale South champion Warren Ayres.
Steven Goodwin (Glenroy): One of the true grassroots cricket greats. Goodwin announced himself with 42 and 41 wickets for Whittlesea in the DVCA in 2010-11 and 2011-12. He then joined VTCA Division 4 club Glenroy and shattered records with 69 scalps in his first season. Another 69 wickets followed in Division 2 in 2016-17, 61 in 2017-18 (including a double hat-trick) and 2018-19 as the Roys won the premiership and promotion. Goodwin took a measly 46 — still No. 1 in Division 1 — in 2019-20 and 24 (fourth most) this season. In eight seasons with Glenroy, Goodwin has an incredible 384 wickets, two hat-tricks, four 10-wicket matches and 32 five-wicket innings.
Matt Grace (Forest Hill): The Forest Hill coach has put up another strong campaign following his joint win for the Len Toogood Medal last season as the best and fairest in the Ray McIntosh Shield. He topped the runs in the comp this season with 502 at an average of 45.64 including a showing of 116 not out in the semi against Heatherdale. Has been solid in the bowling too, with 16 wickets this season. Has taken out the past two club best and fairest awards, and it’s not hard to see why he previously spent almost a decade at Premier level with Fitzroy Doncaster and Prahran.
Simon Gray (North Ringwood): the Bulls coach missed a few Trollope Shield matches through injury this season, but his output of 440 runs from 11 appearances speaks volumes of the impact he has when he takes the field, helping his club to a prelim final berth. Knocked up 50 or more on four occasions with a best of 79 not out against Mooroolbark in Round 9. Has amassed more than 3000 career runs.
Lucas Hutchinson (Blackburn North): Big part of his club’s late season finals push, knocking 492 runs at an average of 41 and is fast closing in on 6000 career runs. Has played at a number of clubs but has spent the past three seasons with the Dogs where he’s totalled 1143 runs. Ever-reliable with the bat and so consistent.
Nick Jewell (Long Island): The former Victorian opener has plundered more than 5000 runs in eight seasons in the MPCA. In his first season at Sorrento he tallied 706 runs, with three centuries, and did even better the following season with 810. His only season at Main Ridge brought two centuries and so far his two seasons at Long Island have been a success, capped with a premiership last Sunday.
Michael King (South Croydon): Part of the famous King clan – known as one of the east’s great sporting families. Before he was dominating in the RDCA, “Zippy’’ made his mark at Premier level with Ringwood with honours aplenty – including two premierships in the top-flight. Took a First XI club record 58 wickets in the 2007-08 season on the way to receiving one of the highest individual honours – the John Scholes Medal – for best player in the final. In his current incarnation at the Bulldogs, where he’s spent the past decade, he finished second this season in the Trollope Shield for runs scored with 496 – just two off the top – on the way to the premiership, backing up from his All Star team selection last season. More than 7200 career runs and almost 300 career matches put “Zippy’’ in rare air.
Nathan King (Springvale South): Explosive left-hand batsman whose idea of taking the shine off the new ball is to send it thudding into the boundary fence. Had spectators raving as he peeled off 134 of 146 deliveries in the 2018-19 Dandenong District association grand final against Buckley Ridges. King not only opens the batting, he takes the new ball, and bowls it at good pace.
Darian Kuzma (Brighton Union): Technically pleasing batsman who has been a top-rank player in his competition for a long time, rarely going a season without a century. Has all the shots and plays them responsibly. Was up in the run charts again this season with 433 at 36.
Trent Lawford (Yarraville Club): The former Fitzroy Doncaster star and Ryder medallist is one of the most destructive players in local cricket. Lawford crunched 121 from 64 balls (including 12 sixes) for Yarraville Club against Haig Fawkner this season, finishing the campaign with 326 runs. He has also collected 37 wickets in the past two summers and will again be a feared opponent in the VTCA in 2021-22.
James Lidgett (Bacchus Marsh): After scoring 499 runs for Premier Cricket club Essendon in 2016-17, Lidgett stepped away from top flight cricket to link up with Bacchus Marsh. In the four seasons since the star batsman has posted 669 runs, 595, 790, 511 and 609 with the grand final still to play this season. The Bulls have won two premierships with Lidgett on board and have a shot at a third on Saturday.
Kaushal Lokuarachchi (Sunshine United): claimed two VTCA medals in his six seasons with Keilor – one in the top-flight Senior Division and the other in the second tier – before making the move to Sunshine United this season. In 113 matches for the Blues across all formats, Lokuarachchi logged 3315 runs at 30.69 and 173 wickets at 18.28 apiece. The all-rounder has been below his best this season but has played a key role in United’s improvement.
Guy Martyn (East Sandringham): The dashing right-hand batsman and wicketkeeper has played in 10 First XI premierships at East Sandy in a Longmuir Shield career that started in 2001-2. His first century came in 2002-03, and he’s hit nine more (as well as a T20 ton). Martyn is still seeing them well; well enough to peel off more than 500 runs this season, with two centuries, and to win the home-and-away batting average, with 65.43. He was named captain of the South East Cricket Association team of the year in Longmuir Shield.
Troy McGown (Wantirna South): More than 100 First XI matches, four flags and a man of the match honour in 2017-18 puts the Devils stalwart among the competition’s best. Has more than 4000 career runs, including 418 this season.
Drew McKay (Wantirna South): Part of a powerhouse era at the Devils with multiple premierships, and a crucial part at that. Has been a consistent standout with the ball for years and is fast closing in on 500 career wickets at 478. Took 23 this season to finish third overall in the Trollope Shield’s one-day format – just three off the top.
Pat McKenna (Gisborne): It’s always handy when a former Australia Under-19 captain walks into the club. After the 2020 football season was cancelled, Gisborne local Pat McKenna returned to the cricket field full-time for the first time since being drafted by GWS in 2014. He knocked in 217 runs at an average of 54.25 in seven games for the Dragons.
Russell McManus (Forest Hill): The Zebras skipper has won a string of best and fairest awards at the club to go with multiple premierships, including best afield in the 2018-19 decider. Equal-second in the competition this season for wickets taken, with 27 at an economy rate of 3.81. McManus also put up 231 with the bat in his side’s pursuit of a fourth straight title.
Nathan McNally (Mont Albert): The ex-Prahran skipper has failed to find his best with the bat in the Eastern association over the past two summers, but his leg-spinners are a constant danger for batsmen, with McNally grabbing 20 wickets at 16.55 this season.
Lewis Mildenhall (South Caulfield): the former St Kilda batsman has enjoyed four run-filled seasons in Cricket Southern Bayside, scoring 465, 511, 716 and 406 runs, including four centuries. He made 77 in South’s grand final win over Bonbeach in 2018-19.
James Miller (Beaumaris): The Ryder medallist has shown his class in two seasons in Cricket Southern Bayside, tallying 867 runs and 54 wickets for the Sharks. “Funky” Miller was an outstanding Premier player, first at Frankston Peninsula, then Prahran and Kingston Hawthorn, capturing 495 wickets.
Chris Moore (Canterbury): The left-arm quick has spent the past two seasons with the Berries after a fine Premier Cricket career with Fitzroy Doncaster. Moore collected 37 wickets in the ECA in 2019-20 and returned 17 this season as his team qualified for the semi-finals.
Jayce Morgan (West Bentleigh): all-rounder who was named man-of-the-match in his club’s Woolnough Shield premiership in the South East association last Saturday. Made 634 runs for the season and took a competition-high 29 wickets with his right-arm pace, one of the few bowlers in the SECA with any speed about him. Had a stint with Brighton in the Subbies four years ago and did well.
Tarek Moughanie (Westmeadows): Moughanie has been one of the VTCA’s best players for more than a decade with stints at Williamstown CYMS, Greenvale Kangaroos and Westmeadows. In his first season with the Warriors in 2017-18 Moughanie amassed a personal-best 708 runs to inspire the club to the Division 2 premiership and two seasons later posted 575 runs as the club won the Division 1 premiership and promotion to Senior Division for the first time.
Wes Nicholas (Buckley Ridges): Left-arm spinner who has been a mainstay of strong Buckley Ridges teams. Took 6-41 in a grand final against Mordialloc in 2012-13 and would have been man-of-the-match if not for teammate Daniel Watson’s spectacular hand of 188 not out. A smart slowie, and a durable and consistent one too.
Leigh Odermatt (Blackburn North): Been a key contributor for the Dogs over a long period, and this season was no exception. The quick was top of the bowling in the Ray McIntosh Shield, and that’s no mean feat considering the talent that runs through the competition. Took 28 wickets throughout the 2020-21 campaign at an economy rate of 3.86. Season was highlighted by a haul of 5-14 against East Box Hill in Round 14. On 433 career wickets and counting.
Daniel O’Shea (East Box Hill): A standout in his club’s six-win season, finishing in the top two for bowling in the BHRDCA comp with 27 wickets (just one off the top), at an economy rate of 3.17, including a best of 5-13. Played one match fewer than those around him on the chart, too. Also put on 270 runs this campaign.
Zac Parr (Heatherdale): The favourite son and playing assistant coach certainly led by example on the way to his club’s grand final appearance this season, taking 25 wickets to top his club’s count to finish sixth overall, following on from 28 last season. Spent nine seasons in the Premier system with Fitzroy Doncaster before landing back at the club two years ago and he’s certainly lived up to expectations since returning.
Nathan Pilon (Berwick): the former NSW and Victorian gloveman is 44 and made a comeback this season after playing three matches in 2019-20. He’s still a formidable striker of the ball and a wicket that every bowler wants. Had one of the great seasons in local cricket in 2018-19 when he carved up 1169 runs in all forms of cricket, including four centuries. Champion player, champion person.
Brenton Parchment (Doutta Stars): The former West Indies Test player, now living in Melbourne permanently, has been a star of the VTCA since arriving in 2012-13. Parchment helped Doutta Stars win the Division 1 premiership and promotion in 2014-15, back-to-back grand final appearances in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and a shot at glory on Saturday. The star all-rounder has delivered at least 400 runs and 26 wickets in seven seasons with highs of 702 runs and 49 wickets in 2014-15.
Nitesh Patel (North Balwyn): The Bulls skipper is rarely out of the runs and often in the team of the year. The elegant Patel has hammered 5282 at a superb average of 48.02 since joining North Balwyn in 2013-14, when he hit four centuries in a golden summer. He has topped 700 runs in a Dunstan Shield season twice and hit nine tons and 37 half-centuries. Superb cricketer.
Kieran Perkins (Montrose): It was a memorable campaign for Perkins, who started the season batting in the middle-order but made the move into the top where he spent the bulk of the time. Put on 453 runs to finish third overall, with a best performance of 83 not out against North Ringwood in Round 2. Crucial part of the minor premiers’ grand final push this season.
Matt Perri (Rivergum): The Rivergum captain-coach has established himself as the leading player in the North Metro association, claiming the Bill McFarlane for the competition’s best player in the past two seasons. Perri piled on 690 runs and took 27 wickets in 2017-18 and backed that up with 422 runs and 26 wickets in 2018-19. He finished with 480 runs and 18 wickets this season as his team went down in the grand final.
Scott Phillips (Narre South): Probably coming to the end of the road but what a journey he’s had, playing Premier Cricket at Frankston Peninsula, dominating in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association and more recently piling up wickets and runs for South in the Dandenong District Cricket Association. Joined Narre South in 2016-17 when it was in Turf 2 and blitzed 600 runs and captured 53 wickets.
Matt Prosser (Langwarrin): A quality leg-spinner who took 41 wickets at 7.44 in MPCA Provincial this season, his dazzling form earning him a late-season debut in Frankston Peninsula’s First XI. Has pocketed almost 200 top grade wickets in six years. Also a fine top-order batsman with all the tricks, averaging in the mid-30s.
Luke Ridgwell (North Ringwood): Finished three wickets clear on top of the bowling table in the RDCA Trollope Shield with 26, bowling at an economy rate of 3.69 this season with a best of 4-36. Has made multiple RDCA All Star teams and remains one of the Bulls’ most important players.
Chris Salm (Riverside): The former Premier Cricket speedster rediscovered his best in 2020-21, capturing 40 wickets at 11.03 in a standout season. Salm was awarded the Ray Christesen Medal in 2015-16 for the best player in the Diamond Valley association’s Barclay Shield and has 136 wickets to his name since joining the Siders that season.
Daniel Salpietro (Airport West St Christopher’s): Salpietro has quite the resume; Victoria one-day player, Big Bash League with Adelaide and Premier Cricket with Footscray, Prahran and Greenvale. He then moved to Tasmania were he played Premier Cricket for Clarence, winning the league best-and-fairest and earning a call up to the Tigers’ Second XI. In his first season with Airport West St Christopher’s in VTCA Division 1 he finished No. 1 in the competition with 580 runs at 58.00 and equal sixth on the wicket-taking charts with 23 scalps.
Craig Sheedy (Aberfeldie): Retired in 2014-15 but that only lasted one season. The evergreen all-rounder was brilliant for Essendon, Carlton and Williamstown – were he won the Holten Medal in 2010-11 – before joining Aberfeldie in 2018-19. He claimed the Division 1 West league best-and-fairest in his first season before helping Abers win the premiership and promotion to Senior Division for the first time in his second. Aberfeldie were without a home ground this season and won just two games but Sheedy still impressed with 344 runs and 14 wickets.
Cameron Smith (Wantirna South): The Devils’ coach is revered as a club great at the RDCA power through a highly successful premiership era, with more than 100 First XI matches to his name. Won the RDCA’s Bill Dean Medal in 2018-19 and has continued to produce, finishing fourth for runs in the Trollope Shield this season with 444, including a knock of 102 not out this season in Round 14. Led the club to a premiership in the RDCA’s top grade in 2015-16 in his first season at the helm and took out the First XI club champion award in 2018-19.
Ryan Smith (South Croydon): The reigning Bill Dean medallist, and he looks like he’s mounting a serious case to go back-to-back this season for the Ringwood District association’s highest individual honour. Topped the Trollope Shield run count with 498 and he was up there in the bowling too – finishing fifth with 22 wickets and three shy of his 2019-20 total. But he completed the trifecta last season, winning selection in the RDCA’s All Star team while also taking out the bowling award. Crossed from Woori Yallock via Lilydale at the end of 2018-19 where he’s since more than earnt his keep at Cheong Park. Premiership player at Lilydale and now South Croydon.
Jarryd Taun-Henderson (Forest Hill): Zebras stalwart and a critical part of the club’s batting across several premiership campaigns. He’s starred with more than 7300 career runs including a return of 421 this season to go with 342 (2019-20), 379 (2018-19) and 354 (2017-18) across the previous three flag-winning seasons.
Clint Tomlinson (Springvale South): The former WA Grade batsman was a late addition to the Springy South squad this season, hurried in as a replacement for the legendary Steve Spoljaric. He’s no “Spolly’’, but he’s a damn good player, as he showed in a run-filled stint with Bentleigh ANA in the South East Cricket Association.
Matt Vaiano (East Doncaster): The East Doncaster premiership captain could be the most feared player in the strong Eastern association. The swing bowler took the new ball this season with incredible success, returning 27 wickets at 9.41 apiece to go with 296 runs in the vital No. 3 position. Consistently in the runs and wickets, and causes plenty of headaches for rivals.
Nathan Walsh (Lysterfield): Scoring runs in the Ferntree Gully and District association after a decade at Premier level, where he made three centuries for Ringwood. Dashed off 692 runs last season at an average of 86.50 and he’s up to almost 500 this season, becoming one of the most-wanted wickets in local cricket.
Blake Walter (The Basin): Top-order batsman who has been a prolific run scorer at a number of clubs. Linked with The Basin in 2017-18 and scored more than 600 runs. He went past 800 the following season. Underlining his ability, Walter also put up good numbers in his three years in Subbies with Croydon, including two centuries.
Daniel Warwick (Baxter): The elegant right-hander made headlines when he made 305 not out against Somerville in an MPCA Provincial game in 2007, the then 24-year-old clouting 21 sixes and 20 fours to record the first triple century on the peninsula in 56 years. Warwick has scored almost 9000 runs at a tick under 50 in 17 seasons with Baxter, achieving premierships, association medals and Country Week success along the way.
Daniel Watson (Buckley Ridges): They call him “DJ’’ and he’s blasted out some of the most memorable innings in the strong Dandenong association in the past decade. His 188 not out against Mordialloc in the 2012-13 grand final will stay in the books and memories for a long time. Powerful, adventurous and with an excellent technique, right-hander Watson has eight Turf 1 centuries behind him, as well as two tons in T20s and two in Turf 2. Before injuries cut him down, his bowling was rapid and regularly brought him bags of wickets. Watson had a dash at Premier Cricket with Casey South Melbourne in 2014-15 and won the Swans’ club champion award. He’s most assuredly a champion of the DDCA.
Cameron Wheeler (Upwey-Tecoma): Much-decorated pace bowler who has built a pile of wickets in the Ferntree Gully and District association in the past five years. In fact, it’s gone past 200 with hauls of 44, 56, 31, 29 and, this season, 42. He’s also been a good contributor with the bat. Wheeler isn’t express but he’s nippy and he finds a lot of edges.
Matt Whittaker (Montrose): Ex-Camberwell Magpie landed back in the RDCA this season at Montrose, leading the club to a grand final appearance after it had fought relegation the season prior. Took more than 200 wickets for the ‘Pies in his seven years in the top-flight across 125 matches. Premiership player at Mooroolbark.
James Wilcock (Berwick): The right-arm paceman has given his club worthy service since returning from Premier club Dandenong. Had season returns of 25 and 34 wickets, went back to Dandy for 12 months, and came back to the Dandenong association to scalp 34 batsmen.
Bobby Wilson (Sorrento): An out-and-out run machine. With a simple technique, 34-year-old Wilson has scored 38 centuries — 20 of them in First XI. He made three tons in a row for Sorrento last season, a feat he also achieved at Moorooduc in 2011-12. Wilson made a record 201 not out for Victoria against South Australia at the Australian Country Cricket Championships in 2013. He went on to make the All-Australian side. As well as dominating Country Week carnivals, Wilson has captained Sorrento to back-to-back flags.
Rob Wise (Macleod): The gun all-rounder has been a model of consistency in the Diamond Valley association’s top grade, collecting 24 wickets or more in each of the past seven seasons. He also has more than 2000 runs to his name in that period. The off-spinner collected 5-31 and made 93 in his club’s 2018-19 grand final triumph and is a two-time winner of the Ray Christesen Medal.
Jake Wood (Sorrento): The former Frankston Peninsula paceman has been the stand out bowler in the MPCA for the past three seasons, taking 48, 46 and 25 wickets. His matchwinning qualities and raw pace have made life uncomfortable for batsmen and helped the Sharks to three successive grand finals and two flags.
Simon Young (Mooroolbark): Featured in multiple premierships in the Yarra Valley competition where he was consistently good with the bat and ball for seasons on end, claiming more than 40 wickets three campaigns in a row from 2014 before joining Mooroolbark, where he’s further made a mark in four seasons. Sits among the ‘Barkers top run-scorers of the past decade and produced 221 runs and 17 wickets in eight appearances this season, adding to more than 2300 career runs and in excess of 300 wickets.
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