Premier Cricket: Opening batters have dominated our Team of the Year
Reliable opening batters have dominated our Premier Cricket Team of the Year while some fresh faces will lead a spriting bowling attack. See our best XII for 2023-24 here.
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Another sensational Premier Cricket season is in the books.
It’s time to recognise the season’s best and the local cricket scribes have named an elite Team of the Year.
The XI is so strong, minor premiers Prahran could only manage the 12th man.
From an experienced top four to a fresh bowling attack, there’s runs and wickets galore up and down the order.
Check out the team below and have your say on who was unlucky to miss out.
1. BLAKE THOMSON (Melbourne)
Peeled off four consecutive centuries in one of the all-time hottest stretches of form in Victorian Premier Cricket. With 188, 127, 123 and 157no, Thomson had tongues wagging and he finished the season as the competition’s leading run scorer with 803 at 89.2. This followed a 790-run season in ‘22-23 which resulted in him being named captain of the Team of the Year.
2. BRETT FORSYTH (Dandenong)
The Dandenong champion is poised to collect another Team of the Year plaque and will likely give the Ryder Medal a shake for the second time. Forsyth accumulated 781 at 78.1 with four centuries — both back-to-back. He fell just 19 runs short of reaching 800 runs for the fifth time.
3. ASHLEY CHANDRASINGHE (Casey South Melbourne)
The Victorian-listed bat has enjoyed a terrific season setting up the Swans’ innings. His 725 at 65.91 have reliably and consistently come in moments of need for the Swans. He raised the bat on three occasions this year but his knock on a spicy wicket at Windy Hill has to be his best for the summer.
4. DYLAN BRASHER (Footscray)
Followed up his breakout 2022-23 season with an even better 2023-24 campaign. Finished with 733 runs - third most in the competition - at an average of 56.38. Brasher scored four centuries - against Carlton, Melbourne, Fitzroy Doncaster and Greenvale - as well as a pair of half-centuries. Add in a 98 and 56 for Victoria’s Second XI and a 79 not out against a full strength Pakistan attack and it’s been one hell of the season. While he opens for Footscray, that 98 in the last state knock, showed he’s got the class to bat middle order.
5. FARZAN CHOWNA (Essendon)
The Bombers young gun took the step from promising to prominent this season. Chowna almost doubled his previous best output, going from 389 runs (at 25.93) in 2022-23 to 672 runs at an average of 56. It was good enough for the fifth most runs in the competition. His maiden Premier Cricket century, 134 not out, came against Melbourne in a stirring win at The Albert Ground and was followed up with 111 against Melbourne University, while he added four half-centuries.
6. JAI LEMIRE (Carlton, wk)
What a breakout season for the young Blue. He started off a bit slow with the bat but emerged with three crucial knocks. He scored his maiden ton before wasting no time in following it up with his second. While they were terrific hits, Lemire’s 76 against Ringwood was just as important, as it sealed Carlton’s top-two finish. And, as it’s has become to be expected with Lemire, his glovework was sensational. He finished the home-and-away season with 594 runs at 49.5 and 20 dismissals.
7. JACK LALOR (Northcote)
The Dragons star takes the all-rounder role in our Team of the Year. He has concentrated more on batting in recent seasons, as evidenced by an outstanding 488 runs at an average of 34.86 - ranked 13th in Premier Cricket. However, Lalor is also more than capable with ball in hand, snaring 12 wickets at 25. He only bowled eight or more overs in six of 14 matches. A move up to No.3 this season saw Lalor score his maiden Premier Cricket century, 115 in a historic win over St Kilda at the Junction, before adding 110 in a season-saving win over Camberwell.
8. NATHAN LAMBDEN (Casey South Melbourne)
It’s a season-best summer for the Swans’ quickie. He grabbed 39 wickets at an average of just 16. He is hoping to swiftly pass through the 40s during a bumper finals series.
9. CALLUM STOW (Geelong)
The young left-arm wrist spinner enjoyed a breakthrough season in Victorian Premier Cricket, taking 31 wickets at 20.1. He bowled with control, zip and used his good wrong ‘un well. He announced himself early in the season with six-wicket bags against Greenvale Kangaroos and Kingston Hawthorn.
10. BRENDAN ROSE (Richmond)
Finishing the home-and-away season ranked fourth for wickets in the competition with 31 at an average of 14.03, the paceman claimed three or more scalps in a match on five occasions – including a 7-22 masterclass against Footscray in Round 1. His form has been central to the Tigers’ top-eight berth, but his best could be yet to come according to captain Sam Mills: “I’m sure he’s in for a big finals series,” he said.
11. SEAN McNICHOLL (Fitzroy Doncaster)
What an impact the former Greenvale paceman has had at his new club this season, hauling in 38 wickets at an average of 14.71, ranked second in the competition. His biggest outing came against Carlton in Round 16, taking 7-83. He hits the finals in sizzling form, collecting five wickets against St Kilda in the last home-and-away round.
12. CAMERON HEMP (Prahran)
The opener enjoyed a fine season for the minor premier, scoring a team-high 515 runs at 46.82 including two centuries and 50s along the way. He had the second highest strike rate among the competition’s top-10 leading run scorers throughout the season. Also proved to be handy with the ball taking seven wickets.
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