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

There’s been some big comings and goings ahead of the MPCA Provincial season. Here’s a club-by-club guide, with all the ins, outs and young guns to watch.

The MPCA Provincial competition will be hotly contested this season.

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

BADEN POWELL

Coach: Craig Entwistle

Captain: Rhys Elmi

Ins: Jack Gorbert (UK)

Out: Beau Anthony (Dromana), Zacc Klan (Dromana), Angus Cripps (Crib Point)

Prediction: The Braves will be a flag contender, with new skipper Rhys Elmi headlining a well-balanced side featuring his brother, ex-Heat all-rounder Dale Elmi, leading batsman Travis Kellerman and “spin twins” Anthony Christou and Englishman left-arm orthodox Jack Gorbert. Craig Entwistle, after scoring 600 runs last season, plans to play sporadically.

Young guns to watch:

Jobe Gardner — will slot in at No. 3 …very good player made a couple of scores last season

Harry Maxwell — will probably open the batting, he just goes out and has a crack. Made a lot of runs in the twos

Neil Barfuss will coach Heatherhill. Picture: Valeriu Campan

HEATHERHILL
Coach: Neil Barfuss

Captain: Kristian Miller

In: Neil Barfuss (Frankston YCW)

Outs: Aidan Lenehan (Frankston Peninsula), Jack Lavery (overseas), Joe Rule (retired)

Prediction: Stepping back into Provincial after winning the Peninsula flag, the Hills have regained Neil Barfuss as playing-coach but will be without opening bowler Jack Lavery. Skipper Kristian Miller is a quality player who will make plenty of runs, as will Matt Bishop and Nathan Cassano. The Hills rely on the core group they’ve had for the past few years; the likes of Jake Theobald, Bishop and Brett Maxwell, and star paceman Adeel Hussain, who claimed 46 wickets last season. All-rounder Levi McLoughlin-Dore will be another key.

Young gun to watch: Jonah Avery — top-order batsman witha good technique, capable of batting long periods. Can keep as well.

Jake Prosser (right) is back at Langwarrin. Picture: Valeriu Campan

LANGWARRIN

Coach: Adrian Jones

Captain: Jake Prosser

Ins: Jake Prosser, (Cardinia), Leigh Patterson (Cardinia), Trevor Johnston (Baxter)

Outs: Ian Cockbain, Jakob Woinarski, Tyler Porter (Sorrento)

Prediction: After making the grand final last season, Langy have lost Gloucestershire batsman Ian Cockbain and all-rounder Jakob Woinarski. Ex-skipper Chris Brittain won’t play the early games but could be a great addition mid-season. Jake Prosser returns to skipper the side, adding another spin option and a competitive edge. Reigning Wedgwood medallist Matt Prosser will be crucial with his batting and leg-spin bowling, with Trav Campbell, Jackson Mockett and keeper-bat Taylor Smith also key players.

Young gun to watch: Kylan Mitchell — terrific young leg-spinner and strong competitor. Made a fighting 14no at No.10 in last season’s grand final.

Tom Boxell bowling for Long Island. Picture: Valeriu Campan

LONG ISLAND
Coach: Josh Dowling

Captain: Tom Boxell

In: Anthony Bissett (UK - Kent Premier league)

Outs: Jurgen Andersen (North Dandenong) and Uli Van Duyker (VSDCA)

Prediction: Champion Tom Boxell is back for a full season after heart surgery and will resume his prolific run-scoring and wicket-taking ways. He will lead an Island side that appears to be getting younger with the likes of dynamic opener Aiden Mckenna, Jack Hay and Jackson Burke.

Young guns to watch: Jackson Burke — returns after a season at Melbourne; bowls good pace and handy bat.

Jack Hay — under 16 who continues to grow and improve with the bat and ball.

Elias Karageorgiou.

OLD PENINSULA

Coach: Elias Karageorgiou

Captain: Justin Grant

Ins: Elias Karageorgiou (Doncaster), Josh Westwater (Moorooduc)

Prediction: former Melbourne University batsman Elias Karageorgiou takes charge of a seasoned Pirates outfit chasing a three-peat of premierships. A pre-season injury blow, with champion spinner John Forrest snapping his Achilles, presents challenges but the Pirates have the depth to cover, with star all-rounder Justin Grant, Wade Pelzer, Dylan O’Malley and Tom and James Labrooy to ensure they remain at the top of the Provincial tree. Young players Matty Stone, Zak Bauer and Bailey Payze will get opportunities.

Young gun to watch: Bailey Payze — 18yo quality batsman and medium pacer who played a key role in last season’s grand final victory

Nick Wilcox is back at Pines. Picture: Chris Eastman

PINES

Coach: Billy Humphrey

Captain: Ricky Ramsdale

Ins: Liam Jackson (Baden Powell), Nick Wilcox, Liam Ramsdale

Prediction: The Piners rattled home with five straight wins to make the finals last season and have retained all players. Harley Peace-Stirling can stamp himself as one of the elite batsmen in the competition with another run-filled season, while Ricky Ramsdale, Billy Humphrey, Patty Jackson and dashing opener Nick Christides will be key players. Nick Wilcox is a key returnee.

Young guns to watch: Lachlan Jackson — got good pace, does a bit with the ball, got X factor.

Declan Jackson — opening bat and off spinner…comes up with plans to get batsmen out, he really thinks about his cricket.

Chris Weeks batting for Kew in the VSDCA. Picture: Hamish Blair

RED HILL

Coach: Neil Robertson

Captain: Chris Weeks

Ins: Chris Weeks (Doncaster), Riley Shaw (returned)

Prediction: A change of captain at the Hillmen, with former Richmond and Kew premiership player Chris Weeks replacing champion Simon Dart who remains to churn out runs and take wickets. Weeks is a fine left-handed batsman who bolsters a Red Hill top order thick with Premier Cricket experience, including Dart, Luke Robertson and Chris Dew. New dad Jamie McCall will miss the early part of the season but talented Riley Shaw is back, while Glenn Collett, James O’Connell, Brent Martin and Jarrod Klauer leads a good bowling attack.

Young gun to watch: Jarrod Klauer — very promising left-arm othodox, took 14 wickets in the ones last season and set to take another step forward.

Seb Gotch celebrates a century for Victoria.

SORRENTO

Coach: Seb Gotch

Captain: Liam O’Connor

Ins: Seb Gotch, Luke Kranzbuhler (Seaford Tigers), Tyler Porter (Langwarrin), James Rulach (Balwyn), Brandon Rulach (Balwyn)

Out: Bobby Wilson (Dromana)

Prediction: All eyes will be on former Victorian wicketkeeper-batsman Seb Gotch, who returns to cricket as Sharks playing-coach. He will bat at No. 4 or 5 — he won’t keep, with Patty Hall doing that job — and could take the comp by storm. The other key addition is all-rounder Luke Kranzbuhler, who is regarded as one of the MPCA’s brightest young talents, having played at Dandenong and Frankston Peninsula. He will bat at No. 3. The loss of champion Bobby Wilson is significant but the Sorras have plenty of quality with skipper Liam O’Connor, Jake Wood, Corey Harris and Mitch Bench.

Young gun to watch: Will Jewell — technically sound batsman who hits the ball hard.