MPCA: Langwarrin signs Casey South Melbourne batsman Matt Calder

A Mornington Peninsula cricket flag contender has added serious firepower to its batting, signing a Premier Cricket batsman. And a former Country Week player has returned to his MPCA club.

Matt Calder takes a catch for Casey South Melbourne. He’s joined MPCA club Langwarrin. Picture: Andrew Batsch

“I’ll always go hard. Never change the approach.’’

With these fighting words, Langwarrin’s new signing Matt Calder has set the scene for an exciting 2025-26 season in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.

The 25-year-old joins Langy off a 350-run season at Casey South Melbourne in Victorian Premier Cricket.

Calder, orginally from Sydney, made headlines in early 2024 when he blasted an unbeaten 103 off 54 balls against Ringwood in a T20 match for the Swans.

He intends to take the same see-ball-hit-ball approach to Langwarrin, where he will bat in the top order alongside five-time Wedgwood medallist Matt Prosser.

“I’ll always play my natural game,’’ Calder said.

“It’s a bit different on the astro turf compared to turf so l’ll have to get used to that one pretty early because I haven’t played on that for a while.

“But I’ll always go hard. Never change the approach. Just back myself in.’’

Matt Calder has joined Langwarrin. PIcture: Facebook

Calder said it was a tough decision to leave Premier Cricket but was looking forward to “taking a lot of pressure off” and enjoying local cricket.

He hopes to give Langwarrin “that kick along’’ it needs after falling short in finals in recent seasons.

“Speaking to a few of the Langy boys early, it does seem like a very strong cultured club and that’s pretty much the main reason why I did go there,’’ Calder said.

“I think they just need that needed that kick. They’re obviously a successful team, made a lot of finals and just couldn’t quite get over so hopefully this year we crack on and win the comp.’’

Calder has played cricket all over Australia, and overseas.

He grew up in Wollongong and, at 17, moved to Sydney where he played at Randwick Petersham alongside David Warner.

“I’ve been all over the place,’’ he said.

“I went to Adelaide for a season, a few years up in Darwin, then back to Sydney, then ventured to Melbourne.

“I’m loving the travel as well, visiting different states and seeing what it’s all about.’’

Matt Calder at Alan Border Oval in 2019. Picture: Julian Andrews

Calder hits out for City Cyclones in Darwin.

Calder has played with and against cricket’s elite.

Last year he played alongside Warner and Beau Webster for the Boca Raton Trailblazers in a T10 league in the Cayman Islands. Some of his opponents included Alex Hales and Ben Dunk.

“It was unbelievable experience,’’ Calder said.

It’s been an off- season of change at Langwarrin.

Skipper Ricky Damiano has departed, returning to Brighton, after one season, while stars Jake Prosser and Trav Campbell have also left.

Former Dandenong and Long Island player Josh Dowling has been appointed Langwarrin’s new coach.

Meanwhile, Seaford Tigers have regained Jon Plakourakis after six years living in Sydney. The former Country Week representative will skipper the Tigers in 2025-26. “A proven Country Week wicket keeper, solid top-order bat, and accredited coach, Plaka brings with him a wealth of cricket experience, knowledge, and leadership and we’re excited to announce he’ll be leading the charge as this season’s 1st XI Captain,’’ the Tigers said.