Revealed: Our VSDCA Teams of the Year for season 2024-25
Leader Local Cricket writers have combed through the stats to select the VSDCA Teams of the Year in both divisions. Check out each star-studded team.
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The Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association has seen some brilliant individual performances throughout the season.
Leader’s Local Cricket writers have broken down the numbers to pick our Teams of the Years for each group.
In two teams filled with runs and wickets, who will make the official combined team?
Who’s unlucky to miss out? Have your say on our XIs.
EAST-NORTH
1. RISHI PATEL (Bayswater)
Runs: 649 Ave: 54.08
The Leicestershire slugger arrived from the UK to great expectations – and he certainly delivered, putting up 649 runs. He burst onto the Subbies scene, smashing 169 and 167 across the opening two rounds and finished the campaign with the second most runs in the North-East group.
2. SHAKEEL AHMED (Preston)
Runs: 622 Ave: 44.43
After scoring 427 runs in his first season at Preston, the hard-hitting opener took his game to a new level this season. Broke the 600-run barrier, averaging 44.43, and usually at a strike rate of near a run-a-ball. Ranked fourth in total runs in the competition having scored his maiden century, 106, against Balwyn and added another four half-centuries, including knocks of 94 and 96.
3. JOSH LAWRENSON (St Bernard’s)
Runs: 624 Ave: 44.57 Wickets: 19 Ave: 18.16
Brought international pedigree to Murphy Oval, having scored a century for Jersey against Namibia, and didn’t disappoint. The Snowdogs opener amassed 624 runs at an average of 44.57, third most in the North-East group. Didn’t manage a ton but scored six half-centuries and was out in the 70s four times to regularly give the Snowdogs a strong foundation. Added 19 wickets to be one of the top all-rounders in the comp.
4. SAHAN PERERA (Noble Park) (Capt)
Runs: 899 Ave: 99.89 Wickets: 31 Ave: 18.97
Like clockwork, the reigning Val Holten Medallist turned out masterclasses most weeks with the bat, finishing the home-and-away season with a staggering 899 runs while also collecting 31 wickets. Could he snare the Subbies’ top prize again? Given his dominance on the field, he’ll also skipper the team.
5. NOAH THAIN (Coburg)
Runs: 555 Ave: 50.45
The UK import had a memorable season with Coburg, finishing the campaign with 555 runs at an average of 50.45, ranked fifth in the competition. After a slow start, Thain caught fire after Christmas, smashing 136 from 104 balls in a one-dayer against Endeavour Hills and followed it up with a brilliant 179 from 197 deliveries to help Coburg break its club record total against Box Hill. Added 15 wickets, often opening the bowling.
15 wickets
6. NISH PERERA (St Bernard’s)
Runs: 439 Ave: 39.91 Wickets: 35 Ave: 16.91
Earns his place on the back of an impressive season with the ball, taking 35 wickets - the fourth most in the competition. But Perera had a terrific all-round season, amassing 439 runs (ranked 13th in the competition) as well to be one of four players in the top-20 in both categories. Scored two half-centuries with the bat as well as four more scores in the 40s to regularly rescue the Snowdogs innings. Took multiple wickets nine times, including a pair of five-fas with a best of 5-20 against Plenty Valley.
7. MUSSADIQ ALI HAMZA (Plenty Valley)
Runs: 388 Ave: 32.33 Wickets: 37 Ave: 12.11
A stunning return to War Memorial Oval as the leggie took 37 wickets at an average of 12.11, second most in the competition. Took a season-best 6-33 in the first innings against Croydon. One of four players to be ranked in the top-20 for runs and wickets having also scored 388 runs (19th overall) with three half-centuries.
8. NICANOR MARTEL (Brunswick) (WK)
Catches: 29 Stumpings: 3
Without a standout wicketkeeper-bat, Martel is the dominant gloveman in the competition - and only 16 years old. The Wicks keeper took 29 catches this season, 11 more than his nearest rival, and affected three stumpings. Often batted down the order but produced a couple of critical knocks. His top-score of 40 came from 141 deliveries as Brunswick were skittled for just 104.
9. SHENUKA DE SILVA (Mt Waverley)
Wickets: 39 Ave: 12.23
Romped to 39 wickets this season, starring as one of the comp’s best spinners and topping the wicket-taker charts. His biggest performance came against Balwyn with 7-24, while he also bagged six scalps against a finals-bound St Bernard’s. Also knocked up 166 runs.
10. MICHAEL TOPP (Bayswater)
Wickets: 37 Ave: 17.81
The former Premier quick was equal-second in the wicket-count with 35, turning out three bags of five or more. But it was against Coburg where he hit rare air, putting away a club record 9-65.
11. DAN HOUGHTON (Brunswick)
Wickets: 34 Ave: 12
Forms the new-ball partnership with Michael Topp in our team after a stellar campaign that saw him snare 34 wickets at an average of 12 - ranked fifth in the North-East group. After 20 wickets last season, the Englishman returned to Gillon Oval for a second season and took a wicket in every match, including two five-fas - 5-21 against Endeavour Hills and 5-40 against Strathmore.
12. JANAKA LIYANABADALGE (Noble Park)
Runs: 488 Ave: 44.36 Wickets: 24 Ave: 17.33
Potent with bat and ball, the Noble skipper and former Sri Lanka first-class cricketer made 488 runs and collected 24 wickets to help his side to second spot on the ladder and a shot at another premiership. One of only four players ranked in the top-20 batters and bowlers. Not bad at 43.
SOUTH-WEST
1. NICK TAYLOR (Malvern)
Runs: 563 at 56.3
The Englishman made a big impact in his first season at the Roosters, peeling off two unbeaten centuries after Christmas, 100no and 134no, as he combined sound defence with quality stroke play. He will be a key figure in finals.
2. SIMON LAMBERT (Hoppers Crossing)
Runs: 514 at 39.54, Wickets: 12 at 25.08
The Cats’ captain-coach enjoyed a fine season at the top of the order for his side with his form including five half-centuries and a ton, where his highest score was 110. Lambert has played a key role with the ball taking 12 wickets. He’ll be hoping to lead his side to a second piece of silverware after already claiming the T20 title.
3. LACHLAN MCKENNA (Spotswood)
Runs: 847 at 56.47, Wickets: 20 at 19.55
The former Carlton Premier Cricket star was a dominant force all season. He finished as the leading run scorer with four centuries along with a quartet of 50s. His highest score was 127. McKenna has proven to be a capable matchwinner with the ball with best figures of 4-17.
4. LINCOLN EDWARDS (Elsternwick)
Runs: 558 at 42.92
The former Dandenong batsman showed his class with a swashbuckling 149 off 126 balls against Malvern in the last round. It capped off a consistent season that also yielded four half-centuries as he oscillated between opening and at the No. 4 spot.
5. JACOB THORNE (Caulfield)
Runs: 520 at 34.57. Wickets: 30 at 19.97
The four-time Val Holten Medal winner underlined his status as a Subbies champion, compiling seven scores above 40 in the Fielders’ top order and wickets in all but two matches with his crafty offies. He had several match-winning performances, including 4-40 off 31.4 overs against Brighton and 61 off 49 balls against Ormond.
6. NILAN FERNANDO (Taylors Lakes) (WK)
Runs: 468 at 42.55, Catches: 17
In his second season with the Lions, the former Grand United keeper ranked in the top-10 for runs scored. He hit four half-centuries throughout the campaign and was a consistent performer behind the stumps.
7. ADAM YATES (Altona)
Runs: 232 at 14.45, Wickets: 31 at 15.45
Yates has been one of the leading bowlers in the competition finishing with the fourth most wickets of any player. His form has surged in 2025, playing a key role in Altona’s run to a fourth-place finish.
8. DAMSARA MENUWARA (Moorabbin)
Wickets: 30 at 20.63, Runs: 251 at 17.9
The Saints captain bowled with fire to capture 30 wickets at 20.63, including five-fors against Yarraville and Taylors Lakes. His clean-hitting in the middle order was also valuable.
9. GLEN PARKER (Brighton)
Runs: 374 at 31.17, Wickets: 34 at 9.59
The match-winning all-rounder made headlines early in the season when he captured a triple hat-trick (five wickets in five deliveries) against Hoppers Crossing. It was a Subbies first. Parker time and again dismantled opposition top orders, also taking 5-19 against Yarraville. He also racked up 374 runs (at 31) as an attacking top-order batsman.
10. DAN SCHUPPAN (Spotswood)
Wickets: 35 at 13.2
The Spotty coach was nothing short of brilliant again this season. His competition best 35 scalps included two five-wicket hauls. Scoring against him wasn’t easy either, bowling at an economy rate of 2.96.
11. SEAN STURROCK (Williamstown)
Wickets: 34 at 16.79
The Seagulls captain-coach was again a major force with the ball this season. His best figures were 5-54. Sturrock also provided valuable contributions with the bat, scoring 204 runs at an average of 22.67.
12. BEN DAVIES (Altona)
Runs: 495 at 41.25, Wickets: 14 at 20.5
Davies was one on the leading run scorers in the competition this season, finishing eighth at the end of the home-and-away season. He scored three 50s. He had a habit of picking up multiple wickets when he did get a breakthrough.
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