MPCA District preview: Ins, outs, players to watch for the 2023-24 season

There’s a stack of exciting talent in MPCA District ranks. Here’s your ultimate season preview, with all the ins, outs and young guns to watch.

We’ve dug deep to preview the 2023-24 Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association season. Here’s a look at District clubs, with ins, outs and young guns to watch.

BALNARRING

Captain-coach: Luke Hewitt

2023-24 expectations: Luke Hewitt has instilled a winning culture at the Saints, who won last season’s Subbies flag and have the players to challenge for high honours in District. Luke and Jake Hewitt, Mark Walles, Pat Nickeas, Brenton Taylor, Justin Brown and Jackson Hannah are set to make an impact.

Young gun to watch: Darcy Warmbrunn — Promising spinner who took a four-for and a three-for last season.

Carrum captain Jake D'Atri.

CARRUM

Coach: Liam Hulett

Captain: Jake D’Atri

Out: Kane D’Atri (Bayside)

2023-24 expectations: Club champion and home grown product Liam Hulett is looking forward to the challenge of coaching the Lions, who will field a similar side to last season, featuring a good balance of exciting young talent mixed with experience. Hulett, Jake D’Atri and Shaun Foster will be key figures.

Young gun to watch: Gus Kennedy — Left-handed top-order bat with all the shots and ready to take the next step.

Tom Murphy – Off-spinner with subtle changes of pace and variation. Bats well too.

Billy Thomson – Leg-spinner who has good control and variation.

Robert Johnston batting for Carrum Downs. Picture: Valeriu Campan

CARRUM DOWNS

Coach: Michael O’Driscoll

Captain: James “Jum” Quarmby

Ins: Cam Muir (Tallarook), Chris Moloney (Dandenong)

Outs: Nathan Harford (Oakleigh)

2023-24 expectations: The Cougars will go in with a similar line-up to last season when they made the semi-finals. Gordon Waterfall has relinquished the captaincy due to work commitments but will again be pivotal with the bat, along with Brad Lockhart and Michael O’Driscoll. Jordan Watters, Shane Smith and Rob Johnston will lead the bowling attack. Spinner Chris Moloney has returned from Dandenong.

Young gun to watch: Eli Halliday - Only 14, the promising batter will churn out some good scores this season.

CRIB POINT

Captain-coach: Blake Hogan-Keogh

Ins: Blake Hogan-Keogh (Flinders), Angus Cripps (Baden Powell), Luke Collins (Main Ridge)

2023-24 expectations: Champion all-rounder Hogan-Keogh has returned to his home club, ready to get the Magpies flying again after a lean ‘22-23 season. Baden Powell batter Angus Cripps is a good addition. He peeled off a string of centuries in the UK in winter. And of course, experienced trio Matt Blake, Glenn Barclay (back from a shoulder reco) and Brad Davidson will be vital. Neil Clark is back after having a season off.

Daniel Streker in action for Delacombe Park. Picture: Valeriu Campan

DELACOMBE PARK

Coach: Ash Walker

Captain: Joel Malcolm

Out: Ben Walker (Frankston Peninsula)

2023-24 expectations: Ben Walker is a big loss; the hard-hitting opener scored 419 runs last season. The Parkers dropped only two games last season and have the depth to remain a leading contender, with the likes of skipper Joel Malcolm, ever-reliable Jon Guthrie and Andy Perry to fuel the batting and Daniel Streker, Andrew Stapleton and Flynn Walker to fire the bowling brigade.

Young guns to watch:

Flynn Walker - raw but talented, the left-arm opening bowler has good pace and made a big impact last season with 31 wickets.

Nick Hammel - promising batting all rounder who could potentially open the batting. Bowls seamers, tightly.

Liam Wolters is Flinders' new captain-coach. Picture: Facebook

FLINDERS

Captain-coach: Liam Wolters

Ins: Jarryd Lymer (Somerville)

Outs: Blake Hogan-Keogh (Crib Point), Sam Gove (Frankston Peninsula)

2023-24 expectations: Flinders lose two of their best players — Hogan-Keogh and Gove — from the side that was relegated from Peninsula; they made over 900 runs between them last season. The Sharks will rely on Mason Mail, Max Wilkinson, Shaun Cairns, Caleb Nennstiel and Jack Field to help them bounce back in District ranks

Young gun to watch: Jack Field - The Sharks will look for him to fulfil his potential with the bat.

Sam Field - the youngster will continue his development bowling off spin (he gives them a rip) in the ones this season.

Oliver McEncroe bowling for Main Ridge.

MAIN RIDGE

Captain-coach: Ryan Harrison

Ins: Tom Finn (Hastings), Charlie Nunn (UK)

Out: Taylor Harrison (FGCA), Luke Collins (Crib Point)

2023-24 expectations: Match-winning all-rounder Tom Finn is a key inclusion, sure to boost the Cougars in all aspects. Charlie Nunn, an aggressive bat from the UK, joins his brother Harry at the Cougars, who will have a dangerous batting line-up headed by big-hitting Sam Lyons and skipper Ryan Harrison. Champion Gareth Wyatt plans to play seconds and help his great mate Trav Barker bring on the club’s next generation of First XI players.

Young guns to watch: Baden Albress - All-rounder who at 15 is determined to succeed. Played ones last season. Medium pacer and exciting middle order bat with the capacity to be a 360 degree player.

Sam McWilliams - left-arm orthodox bowler, capable of performing a “shut down” role by bowling economically. Handy middle order bat who can score quickly.

Aaron Bardwell of Seaford batting. Picture: Hamish Blair

SEAFORD

Coach: Zac Staggard

Captain: Matt Herbert

2023-24 expectations: Last season’s grand finalists will be similar — and strong again. Big-hitting Dil Pageni is back after missing the second half of last season. The Bardwell brothers will be key figures again...Aaron hit 441 runs last season and Jacob 331, while and Ryan McQueen, Andrew Smith, Scott Manders and Mitch Anderson are other leading players.

Young gun to watch: Under 16 medium pacer Mitch Bowles payed twos last season and will look to continue his steady rise.