The big-game players set to shape Gisborne District premiership battles

They’re the weapons the captain turns to when big runs or wickets are needed. We name the big-game players to watch ahead of GDCA finals.

The GDCA finals game changers.

The Gisborne District finals are almost here.

The penultimate round will be completed this weekend, leaving one more game for clubs to lock in a finals berth.

These are the players set to shape the premiership race in McIntyre Cup, Johnstone and Jensen Shields.

From unstoppable run-machines to lethal spearheads, check out the guns to watch.

Jason King in action for Sunbury Kangaroos. Picture: Andy Brownbill

McINTYRE CUP

Jason King (Sunbury Kangaroos)

The Kangaroos stalwart never fails to produce for his club. Another 422 runs at 52.75 and 15 wickets at 18.47 has him ranked 10th in the competition in both categories. Coming off his maiden McIntyre Shield century.

Harry Lawson (Woodend)

Producing with bat and ball as Woodend challenges for the top-four. Lawson has 434 runs at 36.17, ranked eighth in the competition, while also picking up 14 wickets – 16th overall. Will have a big say in his club’s fortunes in the final two rounds.

Senura Perera (Sunbury United)

The competition’s No.1 bowler. Perera has spun his way to 31 scalps at an average of 14.16 this season. If the Bees are to challenge the top-two, Perera will be at the heart of it.

Riley Vernon (Gisborne)

Having a blinding season with the bat, sitting atop the McIntyre Cup run-scorers charts with 719 runs at an average of 79.89. Also ranked 10th for wickets with 15 at 16.4. A red-hot favourite for the GDCA Sullivan Medal.

Ben Way (Romsey)

The Redbacks skipper is almost unstoppable with the bat, scoring an incredible 718 runs at an 89.75 clip – ranked second in the competition. The fact he usually bats down the order makes the achievement all the more impressive.

Nathan Dent in action for East Sunbury. Picture: Stuart Milligan

JOHNSTONE SHIELD

Nathan Dent (East Sunbury)

The Thunder ace is enjoying an impressive season. Dent leads the Johnstone Shield wicket-taker charts with 28 scalps at 11.11. He’s also more than capable with the bat, scoring 190 runs with a high-score of 52 in limited opportunities.

Taylor Shell (Broadford)

Broadford sits atop the Johnstone Shield ladder and the form of Shell has been a big reason. The paceman has 16 wickets at an average of 10.56 this season, ranked sixth overall. If the club is to win a flag in its first GDCA campaign, Shell will have a big say.

Harinder Singh (Aintree)

Has been a strong contributor across the grades at Aintree in his five seasons at the club. The Stallions spearhead has 18 wickets at 12.72 so far this season, good enough for third in the competition.

Bryan Vance (Wallan)

Currently producing one of the most dominant seasons in all of local cricket. Vance has 513 runs and a ridiculous average of 256.5. It took six matches for the Magpies gun to be dismissed. Vance has two tons and three 50s and has chipped in with eight wickets to boot.

JENSON SHIELD

Matt Cox (Malmsbury)

The favourite for Jensen Shield Player of the Year as he tops the competition’s run-scoring charts with 515 at an average of 51.5 and sits third on the wicket-takers list with 18 at 14.56. Needs a big finish for Malmsbury to push into the top-four.

Zac Giblett (St Anthony’s)

One of the competition’s premier all-rounders, ranked highly with both bat and ball. Giblett has 255 runs so far this season, ninth most in the competition, while he’s claimed 11 wickets as well – ranked joint 16th overall. Will have a big say in St Anthony’s ambition to move back up the GDCA ladder.

Harvey Lehner (Lancefield)

The young gun is a danger whenever he has ball in hand. The Tigers ace has 19 wickets at an impressive average of 11.8 so far this season, that’s second most in the competition. Has 10 wickets in his last three senior outings and still playing under-17s too.

Daryl Liistro (Melton South)

While he’s only played six matches this season, he’s produced more often than not. Liistro is coming off his first century of the season, 117 against St Anthony’s, and has 264 runs at an average of 66 – good enough for seventh most overall.

Kapilmeet & Jasvinder Singh (Aintree)

The brothers Singh are a driving force in the Stallions’ Second XI. Kapilmeet is ranked in the top-five for runs and wickets in the competition with 400 runs at 50 – ranked third – and 18 wickets – ranked fourth. Jasvinder, meanwhile, is ranked fourth for runs with 314.