Mornington Peninsula cricket clubs land marquee recruits

Pen has hit paper in the MPCA, with Red Hill, Moorooduc, Baxter and Frankston YCW making key signings ahead of the 2022-23 season.

James O'Connell batting for North Balwyn. He’s joined Simon Dart’s Red Hill. Picture: Hamish Blair

Red Hill has added another player with Premier Cricket experience to its ranks.

Former Camberwell Magpies all-rounder James O’Connell joins the Hillmen for season 2022-23 following a successful stint at North Balwyn in the Eastern Cricket Association.

The 32-year-old previously played for the Magpies, his eight seasons of Premier Cricket including five First XI games in which he opened the bowling and took several big scalps including Victorian opener Travis Dean.

He also made a century in the Magpies’ fourths.

O’Connell joins Simon Dart, Adam Slack, Luke Robertson and Chris Dew as Red Hill players to have played Premier ones.

MASSIVE pick up for Baxter, landing the signature of former Sri Lankan first-class player Kusal Edussooriya.

The 24-year-old dominated in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association with Hurstbridge last season, blazing a century and four half-tons on his way to 646 runs at an average of 53.

He also snared 28 wickets at 13.9 with his right arm medium.

Kusal played 14 first-class matches, the most recent in 2018, and made three centuries and averaged 46.31.

He’s signed with Baxter for the next two seasons.

Kaedyn Hodgson has joined Frankston YCW. Picture: Facebook

BAXTER, though, has lost young opening batsman Kaedyn Hodgson.

He’s joined Frankston YCW, which is thrilled to add a quality player with three seasons of Provincial experience and with his best cricket ahead of him.

The Stonecats will be skippered by Jack Greenwood next season, with Dave Longhurst installed as coach.

They’ve also signed Casey South Melbourne all-rounder Harry Atkins.

MOOROODUC has secured an international signing, with multi-talented Englishman Ethan Hutchins to bolster the Ducs line-up.

The 20-year-old hails from Potterne Cricket Club, near Bristol in the UK, and is said to possess stacks of ability as a left-arm seamer with best figures of 5-12 and middle order bat with a high score of 102.

He’s sure to enjoy a summer down under on the peninsula and Moorooduc believes he can help it into the finals in MPCA Peninsula after nearly getting there last season.

Moorooduc will be coached by former New Zealand first-class player Dewayne Bowden.

Billy Humphrey (right) will coach Pines next season.

PINES has a new coach and several quality inclusions ahead of its return to MPCA Provincial ranks.

Grand final star Billy Humphrey has taken over as head coach.

The 27-year-old played 27 First XI games for Frankston Peninsula as a paceman before returning to the Piners.

He proved himself to be a fine all-rounder last season, as evidenced by his performance in the grand final win over Somerville when he made 29 with the bat and captured 4-30.

Pines have put together a talented group of coaches “to help the club grow’’, with Langwarrin pair Stuart Plunkett and Jamie Jewiss joining the club as development coach and batting coach respectively.

Chairman of selectors will be Brett Remy, fielding conditioning coach Patrick Jackson and nets co ordinator Harley Peace-Stirling.

Ricky Ramsdale will again skipper Pines, which is chasing a top four spot in Provincial next season — although they’ve lost key players Damien Lawrence (Warragul) and Jackson Mockett (Langwarrin).