Signed: 22 of the best recruits in the MPCA for 2022-23
With six weeks to the start of the cricket season, here’s a list of the best signings in the Mornington Peninsula association.
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Clubs have been busy signing recruits for the 2022-23 Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association season.
Some familiar names have switched clubs on the peninsula, including Dewayne Bowden from Dromana to Moorooduc and Jackson Mockett from Pines to Langwarrin — both making the move after playing in premierships last season.
There’s also been an influx of Premier Cricket players into the MPCA, as well as overseas players.
It should all add up to a cracking MPCA season.
Chrishen Aponsu, Crib Point
The wicketkeeper and left hand top order batter has first-class experience and the Magpies are hoping for a run-filled season from him.
Harry Atkins, Frankston YCW
The former Casey South Melbourne all-rounder is a former YCW junior premiership player. He played four seasons with the Swans, including 10 Second XI appearances and one finals game — in the fourths in 2020-21 when he cracked 29 not out of 33 balls.
Dewayne Bowden, Moorooduc
The big-hitting former New Zealand first-class player has signed as captain-coach of the Ducs. He comes across from Dromana where he played the past three seasons, including last season’s premiership.
Kusal Edussooriya, Baxter
A massive get for Baxter, landing the signature of former Sri Lankan first-class player Kusal Edussooriya. The 24-year-old dominated in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association with Hurstbridge last season, blazing a century and four half-tons on his way to 646 runs at an average of 53. He also snared 28 wickets at 13.9 with his right arm mediums. Kusal played 14 first-class matches, the most recent in 2018, and made three centuries and averaged 46.31. He’s signed with Baxter for the next two seasons.
Dale Elmi, Baden Powell
A huge get for Baden Powell, signing former Frankston Peninsula all-rounder Dale Elmi. The hard-hitting left-hander and leg-spinner joins his brother Rhys at the Braves. Dale spent the majority of his cricketing career at Frankston Peninsula where he captained the Heat’s 1st XI, amassing 5191 runs for the club which included 25 fifties and 3 centuries. More recently, he captained Parkdale in Cricket Southern Bayside.
Ben Frith, Baden Powell
An excellent addition for the Braves, picking up former Frankston Peninsula paceman Ben Frith. The 29-year-old made four First XI appearances for the Heat and also grabbed two bags of five wickets in the twos during a five-season stint with the Heat.
Mitchell Goddard, Mornington
A former Mountain Gate captain who won four club champion awards, the first at age 18. Good things are expected from the left hand bat and right arm medium pacer.
Luke Hewitt, Balnarring
A BIG get for the Saints, securing the triple league medal winner, as well as his brother Jake, both from Hastings. They are just what the Saints need. Luke will captain and coach Balnarring and intends to lead the club back up the ranks.
Jarrod Hicks, Rosebud
The former Eildon Park captain is a tall off spinner who will add vital experience to the Sharks.
Kaedyn Hodgson, Frankston YCW
The highly-rated young opening batter joins the Stonecats after three seasons of Provincial and with his best cricket ahead of him.
Ethan Hutchins, Moorooduc
The young 20-year-old Englishman hails from Potterne Cricket Club, near Bristol, and is said to possess a stack of ability as a left-arm seamer with best figures of 5-12 and middle order bat with a high score of 102.
Navod Ilukwatte, Crib Point
A classy top order batter and right arm off spinner who has played at first-class level.
Jesse Jewiss, Pines
The 18-year-old hard-hitting all-rounder was part of Frankston Peninsula’s Fourth XI grand final victory last season and all up spent three years at the Heat. One to watch in 2022-23.
Ravindu Kodithuwakku, Mt Eliza
The Mounties have gained a tremendous recruit in the prolific batsman Kodithuwakku.
He has crossed from Carlisle Park Vikings in the West Gippsland association where he scored 2021 runs, at 48.12, in the past three seasons, including seven centuries in that time.
Ash Mills, Rosebud
Mills blasted over 4000 runs and took a stack of wickets in 13 seasons with Seaford Tigers. He will add experience and match-winning capabilities to the Sharks, who are looking to bounce back after relegation.
Jackson Mockett, Langwarrin
The former Frankston Peninsula paceman is fresh off a premiership with Pines and will add a sharp edge to Langy’s bowling. The 25-year-old will also be an assistant coach.
Levi McLoughlin-Dore, Heatherhill
The former Country Week tweaker joins the Hills, keen to test himself after playing his entire career at Frankston YCW.
Patrick Nagel, Rosebud
Returns to the Sharks after a one-season stop at Frankston Peninsula, where managed to play two games in the Heat’s firsts, as well as 12 in the twos. He will skipper Rosebud and boost the bowling.
James O’Connell, Red Hill
The talented all-rounder joins the Hillmen following a successful stint at North Balwyn. The 32-year-old previously played for the Camberwell Magpies, his eight seasons of Premier Cricket taking in five First XI games in which he opened the bowling and took several big scalps including Victorian opener Travis Dean. O’Connell joins Simon Dart, Adam Slack, Luke Robertson and Chris Dew as Red Hill players to have played Premier ones.
Brad Staff, Hastings
The New South Welshman has played with Mornington for the past three seasons, proving himself to be a talented and competitive player with bat and ball. He joins Hastings as captain-coach, a role he’s comfortable with, having having steered Wingham in NSW to multiple 1st XI premierships.
Ben Stallworthy, Mt Martha
The former Hawthorn and Casey South Melbourne all-rounder joins the Reds as captain-coach.
He most recently played with Boronia in the Eastern Cricket Association. Stallworthy, a left-hander, played 31 First XI matches for Hawthorn Monash University, averaging 23.53 with the bat, with a highest score of 70.
Cameron Sharpe, Somerville
The well performed all-rounder joins the Eagles after two seasons at Langwarrin. He can open the bowling and bat in the middle order and is a fierce competitor.
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