Named: The 40 players to decide MPCA premierships
With two rounds of the MPCA season remaining, we identify the 40 most influential players on the run to the finals in Provincial, Peninsula, District and Sub District.
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Finals spot are up for grabs as the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association season reaches boiling point.
Two rounds remain, and the best players will lift their team into the semi-finals and beyond, even to premiership glory.
Who is your club’s game-changer?
PROVINCIAL
Simon Dart, Red Hill
With over 500 runs and 25 wickets, the former Victorian player has put together another dominant campaign and could lead the Hillmen to back to back flags.
Jack Fowler, Dromana
The former Premier paceman has bowled with venom this season to take 26 wickets, including a six-wicket haul and two bags of four. And with the bat he’s blasted some quick runs at No. 5.
Sam Fowler, Dromana
A sniff of finals will bring out the best in Sam Fowler. With two brilliant centuries this season, Fowler has racked up over 500 runs already at the top of the order while his lively medium pace has netted 14 wickets, including some bigs calps.
Adeel Hussain, Heatherhill
The competitive paceman has provided plenty of firepower with the new ball this season, taking wickets in nearly every game. Nabbed a five-for last week to thrust the Hills into finals contention.
Connor Jackson, Pines
Has racked up 433 runs at No. 3, including 130, 88 and 51. An exciting young talent who can make a name for himself in the finals.
Pat Jackson, Pines
Reliable and consistent seamer who leads the Piners’ wicket tally with 19, and he’s always good for runs down the order.
Brent Martin, Red Hill
Martin’s left-arm spinners (23 wickets) are crucial for Red Hill but his defiant batting in the middle order should not be underestimated — he scored 52 and 81no either side of Christmas.
Harley Peace-Stirling, Pines
Peeled off three successive half-centuries mid-season and is heading towards another 400-plus season. Vital to Pines at No. 4.
Sithum Peiris, Heatherhill
The classy opener, with 356 runs, likes to play his shots at the top of the order and can get the Hills rolling early.
Matt Prosser, Langwarrin
Never plays a bad game. The Wedgwood medal winner has taken wickets with his leggies in every match this season while churning out 443 runs, at 55, at the top of the order.
Andrew Smith, Langwarrin
Has returned to Langy from Seaford as a front-line paceman. Took bags of wickets before Christmas and made the Country Week side. He’ll be keen to build on his tally of 22 wickets (at 17) for Langy as they chase glory.
Kierran Voelkl, Dromana
The Country Week captain started the season with a knock of 92no and has hit his straps in recent rounds with 95 and 56. Has 373 runs at 41 and will be crucial for the Hoppers in March.
PENINSULA
Jack Barbour, Somerville
Has peeled off three half-centuries on his way to 431 runs at a touch under 40 and showed his class with 87 against Moorooduc last week. Has been terrific behind the stumps too with 14 dismissals.
Tom Baron, Mt Eliza
The experienced left-armer has proven a headache for opposition batsmen, gathering 32 wickets at 12, including a seven-for and two bags of five.
Michael Burke, Long Island
With eight scores above 20 in 10 innings, Burke is a key figure in the Islanders top order. Puts a high price on his wicket.
Caleb Debnam, Somerville
The young quickie started the season in a blaze of wickets including some big scalps. He’s the Eagles’ leading wicket taker with 21, at 18, and is set to play a starring role in March.
Jean-Luc Talbot, Mt Eliza
Leads the competition in runs with 477 at almost 60, including knocks of 89, 94 and 105. A wholehearted cricketer who gives it everything.
Josh Goudge, Mt Eliza
The classy right hander is having an excellent summer with 353 runs at 58. Can bat for long periods.
Jarrod Hicks, Rosebud
A valuable part of the Sharks’ premiership quest, capable of influencing a match as an opening batsman or with his crafty off spin.
Rueben Higgins, Mt Eliza
One half of a potent new-ball attack along with Tom Baron, Higgins has collected 32 wickets at 12, regularly making early breakthroughs.
Aiden McKenna, Long Island
The Victorian Country XI batsman-keeper is a match-winner with his clean hitting at the top of the order.
Patrick Nagel, Rosebud
An all-round threat, Nagel has steamrolled opposition batting line-ups with his accurate seamers while also playing vital innings in the Sharks’ middle order.
Charlie Parker, Mornington
Rushed past 400 runs for the season with a match-winning 76no against Long Island last week. Has also been outstanding behind the stumps with 19 dismissals.
Brendan Walsh, Mornington
The Ringwood triple premiership all-rounder has led Mornington with distinction, taking 27 wickets at 8.41 with his left-arm spinners. He’s also made handy contributions with the bat.
Zac Wilson, Long Island
Dynamic with bat and consistent with ball, Wilson is a proven big-game performer sure to be vital in March. He smacked 6 sixes in his 101 off 84 balls against Seaford.
DISTRICT
Shaun Cairns, Flinders
The experienced left-armer has played an important role for the Sharks, taking key wickets and bowling economically. Can also score handy runs in the tail.
Jake D’Atri, Carrum
The competitive all-rounder always has an impact whether it be with the bat in the top order or with his off spinners.
Sam Field, Flinders
After his stunning Country Week campaign, the 15-year-old is determined to help the Sharks achieve finals success. With Flinders, Field is averaging 52, having scored 476 runs, including an unbeaten 146 against Main Ridge.
Luke Hewitt, Balnarring
The Saints captain has had another outstanding season with 385 runs at 77, and 16 wickets at 12. Now he’s setting his sights on finals success.
Robert Johnston, Carrum Downs
Has struck a purple patch of form, with 94 and then 112no (off 120 balls), while taking regular wickets with his offies.
Ben King, Balnarring
The big all-rounder has been a leading performer since returning from French Island this season, playing a key role at the top of the batting list and also with the ball.
Dilasri Lokubandara, Boneo
If you don’t get him out early you could pay dearly. The powerful right-hander blitzed 100 off 64 balls against Main Ridge and put away 14 boundaries on his way to 111 against Baxter.
Luke Reynolds, Flinders
The emerging all-rounder has taken some big wickets and played defiantly in the lower order.
Samson Storey, Boneo
Leads both Boneo’s runs and wickets tally, with 353 runs at 35.3, and 18 wickets at 19. The stylish opener regularly gets the Pandas off to a strong start, while his lively medium pace bowling can be game-changing.
Gordon Waterfall, Carrum Downs
The run machine has scored four half-centuries in a row following an unbeaten century. Leads the competition run chart with 549 at 61. And has taken 19 wickets with his spin, at 12.
SUB-DISTRICT
Callum Bradford, Frankston YCW
The Stonecats No. 3 has been a consistent performer all season, compiling 333 runs at 41, helping YC to seven wins.
Adam Ciavarella, Rye
Has moulded Rye into a genuine contender with his leadership, while proving to be a key figure with bat and ball (24 wickets) as well.
Travis French, Tootgaorok
Peeled off an unbeaten century a couple of weeks ago and has 323 runs opening the batting for the Frogs. And has taken 16 catches and a stumping.
Jonny Guthrie, Delacombe Park
The gun opener has hit four-half centuries to lead the comp run chart with 507, at 50. His glove work behind the stumps is also exemplary. Determined to lead the Parkers back up to District.
Dean Henwood, Frankston YCW
With 20 wickets, the experienced medium pacer has been crucial for the Stonecats — and he is set to play a key role in March.
James Holland-Burch, Tyabb
Leads the Yabbies bowling attack expertly, taking wickets regularly. And has played several vital knocks down the order.
Lachlan Hose, Tyabb
The young left-arm spinner has racked up a stunning 36 wickets, at 11, including a six-for and three five-wicket hauls. Looms as a huge March performer.
Udara Ravindu, Tyabb
After a slow start to the season, the right-hander has really hit his stride, with recent scores of 110, 50 and 43, batting at No. 3.
Daniel Streker, Delacombe Park
Has been very effective off a short run, taking 25 wickets at 14, including three bags of five.
Matthew Whelan, Tootgarook
The champion all-rounder has been dynamic at No. 3 with almost 420 runs, at 46, while taking 19 wickets.
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