Premier Cricket: Frankston Peninsula set to name two debutants for Round 2

Frankston Peninsula is set to unveil two debutants, including a “mystery spinner’’ and an MPCA young gun, in Premier Cricket Round 2.

Chris Cleef bowling for Seaford in 2017. He is tipped to make his Premier Cricket debut on Saturday. Picture: Chris Eastman

Frankston Peninsula is set to unveil two debutants and welcome back a top-order batsman for its clash with Kingston-Hawthorn on Saturday.

With Scott Boland and Jon Holland unavailable for club cricket as they prepare for the Big Bash, the Heat look like making three changes to the side that lost to Dandenong in the opening round last Saturday.

Chris Cleef, who has been described as a “mystery spinner’’ because of his unusual bowling action, is expected to make his First XI debut after playing mainly in the seconds over the past two seasons.

The former Seaford and Aspendale all-rounder took 2-36 off 10 overs and made 26 in the twos last weekend.

Young paceman Liam Cox is also tipped to made his debut just months after joining Frankston Peninsula from the Seaford Tigers.

Cox played in the Tigers’ MPCA District premiership last season and was spotted by Heat chairman of selectors Brad Glenn.

Liam Cox played in a premiership with Seaford Tigers in the MPCA last season.

He is the son of former Pines player Paul Cox.

Nick Mann, after making 48 off 47 balls, at the top of the order in the seconds last week is also expected to be promoted for the game against the Hawks.

Brodie Symons will captain the Heat.

“We give ourselves a good chance, we just need a good start, we need to get into the contest,’’ Frankston Peninsula coach Paul Boraston said.

Last Saturday, Frankston failed to make the most of having Boland and Holland in its side.

Sent in by Dandenong, the Heat slumped to 4-34 before mounting a fight back only to lose 4-9 at the end to be dismissed for 145.

It wasn’t enough runs, not even with state stars Boland and Holland in the bowling attack.

Dandenong coasted to victory, making 2-149 in 38.5 overs.

“If we had have scrounged our way to 180, 200 you never know but we were never really in the contest to be honest,’’ Frankston Peninsula coach Paul Boraston said.

The bright spot for Frankston Peninsula was the fight shown by Jai Elcock (40) and Harrison Barnes (39) through the middle of the innings. They put on 76 for the fifth wicket to take the Heat from 4-34 to 4-110.

Boland bowled economically but without success, taking 0-21 off 8 overs, while Holland snared 1-32.

There were promising signs down the grades for Frankston Peninsula.

Former Hastings lad Tom Finn impressed on debut in the thirds’ tie, bowling well and making 12 not out.

Impressive youngster Luke Kranzbuhler made 70 not out in the thirds, just days after being cleared from Dandenong. He is a good chance to be picked in the twos this weekend.