Premier Cricket: Seven clubs feature in a star-studded Team of the Week
Seven hundreds and two five-fors feature in a Premier Cricket Team of the Week that includes players from seven individual clubs. See the side here.
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Seven centuries, two five-fors and an array of other superb performances.
There was no shortage of top performances in Premier Cricket on Saturday, making selection for the Team of the Week extremely difficult.
See who made the XII for Round 4.
1. BLAKE THOMSON, Melbourne
The Demons captain peeled off his third consecutive century, 123 off 163 balls (21 fours, 1 six), against Carlton. Yet, he finished the day disappointed after his side remained winless after falling 13 runs short of victory. Thomson, who has 474 runs, at 118.5, this season, goes into the Premier Cricket records; his third straight century put him in the company of six other batsmen, including legendary District/Premier player Warren Ayres and one-Test opener Ken Eastwood. Tom Rogers achieved the feat for Ringwood in 2021-22.
2. ASHLEY CHANDRASINGHE, Casey-South Melbourne
The meticulous opener returned to the century-makers list in the Swans’ strong win over Kingston Hawthorn. He looked on from ball one as he delivered a chanceless 113.
3. JONTY RUSHTON, Northcote
The Northcote opener set the tone against Footscray. Rushton’s blazing 126 off 128 balls included 12 boundaries and three sixes, getting the Dragons off to the perfect start and they never looked back. Combined with Jaga Kodoru for a 151-run second-wicket partnership. Backed it up with the ball too, taking 1-18 from nine overs at a miserly economy rate of 2.00.
4. HARRISH KANNAN, Casey-South Melbourne
The uber-talented left-hander showed his higher-honour credentials with an unbeaten 124 off 226 deliveries. The triple-figure score is Kannan’s second Premier Cricket ton.
5. FARZAN CHOWNA, Essendon
Pips his Essendon teammate Aiden Salvado (112) — we can’t have a team exclusively of openers — after scoring his second century of the Premier Cricket season. Walked to the crease at 1-0 and walked back to the sheds with the score 2-223 and 111 runs to his credit. An impressive fighting knock under pressure, soaking up 240 balls.
6. GEORGE LAVELLE, Melbourne University
The English import scored his first Premier Cricket century in his side’s win over Essendon on a flat track at Melbourne University Oval. He hit 134 runs from 182 balls and shared a 200-run partnership with Harrison Barnes when his side needed it most. Also claimed a catch on day one to remove Connour Poulton for a duck on day one off Janak Prakash’s bowling.
7. CONNOR RUTLAND, Carlton
Makes selection after being the best performing all-rounder for the weekend. He crunched 59 with the bat and took 2-51 with the ball. The Blue is enjoying a fine summer so far.
8. XAVIER CRONE, Carlton
5-61 — including the all-important wicket of Melbourne skipper Blake Thomson — earns Crone a spot in this XI. He didn’t let the Demons settle again after a quick start, sending danger players Zane Keighran and Jack Prestwidge back after the wicket of Thomson. He also welcomed Melbourne debutant Kyle Parrott to First XI cricket with a beauty.
9. BRENDAN ROSE, Richmond
The Tigers’ paceman collected 4-42 off 24 overs – including seven maidens – in his side’s defeat to Prahran, taking his season total to 16 wickets at an average of 10.31.
10. DAVID MOODY, Melbourne
The ex-WA paceman grabbed 5-59 off 20 overs against Carlton, his best figures for the Demons. Four of his wickets were caught behind the wicket and the other was bowled, highlighting his attacking style.
11. JOE MEDEW-EWAN, Northcote
The Victoria Emerging Squad spinner played a key role in bowling Northcote to victory on Saturday. On a flat Merv Hughes Oval wicket, Medew-Ewen picked up the key scalp of Footscray opener Aiman Nadeem and then returned to clean up the Dogs’ tail to finish with 4-54 from 21 overs, bowling nine maidens.
12. HARRISON BARNES, Melbourne University
Stiff to miss selection in the XI after a brilliant maiden ton. Showed great patience in his 102-run performance, finishing with 12 boundaries in his 148-ball stay at the crease.
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