Twenty players to watch from Premier Cricket U16 boys series

Clubs and coaches have given a thumbs-up to the Premier Cricket series, regarding it as a reprisal of the old Dowling Shield.

The clubs embraced the series as a throwback to the Dowling Shield. Pic: Chris Thomas Photography

The coaches and clubs are at one: the Premier Cricket Under 16 boys series has been a winner.

Officially a Cricket Victoria exhibition carnival, team officials embraced it as a return to the old Dowling Shield, giving them the chance to bring bright young talent into their programs.

There’s little doubt they want it to continue.

Although Round 4 was cancelled due to COVID, four clubs have chosen to make up for it with matches on Sunday.

Here are some of the stand-out players from the series.

Xavier Austin (Carlton): was one of four Bendigo United youngsters to connect with Carlton for the series and came to notice with his 104 not out off 148 deliveries against Essendon. The Austin name has a strong Blues association and the club hopes it will continue with young Xavier.

Xander Buxton (Melbourne): the fast-rising Buxton topped the competition run list with 324 at an average of 81. The right-hander started his series with a hand of 130 against Casey South Melbourne and followed with scores of 85 against Richmond, 76 against Kingston Hawthorn and 33 against Dandenong. He’s also been prolific for the Demons’ Second XI this season, cracking 301 runs at 50.2. Buxton came through the juniors at Peninsula Old Boys at Mt Eliza but linked with Toorak Prahran when the family moved to Melbourne. He hit three centuries for the Toorak Prahran juniors last season. Everything suggests he has many more to make.

Xander Buxton with his trusty blade.

Cory Cater (Kingston Hawthorn): right-arm paceman who is already at the Hawks and capable of bowling a “heavy ball’’, according to head coach Peter Marshall. Bats in the middle-order and hits the ball hard.

Atharv Deshparade (Casey South Melbourne): they call him “Uber’’ because it’s his preferred mode of transport to matches, and he’s certainly going places. He joined the Swans at the recommendation of First XI newcomer Harry Kannan, started the season in the fourths and has risen to the seconds. Hit 268 runs at an average of 134 in the Under 16 series, highlighted by his 107 not out against Dandenong. There were also two half-centuries for the right-hander.

Patrick Forrest (Camberwell Magpies): In his second season at Sub-District club Balwyn, where he’s already made his First XI debut, Forrest had three hits for the Magpies for scores of 25, 56 and 74 not out. Came through the junior program at Boroondara.

Sam Gove (Frankston Peninsula): the right-arm medium-pacer led the competition wicket list with 13 at 6.8, including a Round 5 bag of 5-29 against Casey South Peninsula. Gove is also a promising middle-order batsman and an exceptional fielder. From Flinders Cricket Club, where he’s already playing in the First XI, he was part of Ormond’s Under 15 John Craig Shield premiership team.

Zac Grech (Ringwood): the technically correct and stylish right-hand opener hit the highest score of the series, 143, against Northcote in Round 3. Played three matches and scored 226 runs at 113 to come in fifth on the list. Grech, a student at Haileybury College, has also made 248 runs at 35.4 for Ringwood’s fourths.

Koby James (Melbourne): part of a powerful Demons’ batting line-up and had scores of 50, 44, 44 and 24. Playing for Echuca’s Under 16 and A grade teams in Goulburn Murray Cricket.

Mitchell Jamieson and Lachlan McArthur of Footscray.

Mitchell Jamieson (Footscray): the opener finished the series with the flourish of a 235-run stand with Lachlan McArthur against Greenvale Kangaroos. Both made centuries, Jamieson 107 and McArthur 118. Jamieson captained the Bombers, an accolade which followed his selection in the Victorian Metro Under 15 team and the Australian Under 16 team last season. “He’s going to be a very good player, this kid … I could rattle on about him for a long time if you want me to,’’ Footscray coach George Shaw said. Jamieson is playing Under 16 and senior cricket with Keilor in the VTCA, and in January was part of the Under 17 Cricket Victoria western summer series. He made 92 for Vic Metro against a CV XI.

Ali Khan (Melbourne University): the opener set out his stall with a Round 1 century, 105 not out off 134 against Essendon, and also hit an even 50 against a strong Geelong team. From Werribee Juniors, he started playing for Melbourne University’s fourths in January. “He just loves batting; he’ll happily bat all day,’’ Uni coach Daniel Hutton said.

Sam Lalor (Northcote): the Bacchus Marsh lad captained the Dragons and distinguished himself with an innings of 109 not out off 125 deliveries against Ringwood … not bad for a bottom-age player. His brother Will also played in the series for Northcote, as is their cousin Archie, the youngest brother of senior Dragons Dan and Jack Lalor.

Trae Love-Linay (Kingston Hawthorn): the St Brigids St Louis product captained the Hawks well and led their batting with 169 runs at 42.3. He also bowls tidy medium-pace. Love-Linay was among a string of players from the South East Cricket Association to turn out for Kingston Hawthorn as it forges stronger links with the local clubs.

Henry Melville (Geelong): with Snookes formed a formidable opening partnership for the young Cats: twice they led off with century stands, 187 against Footscray and 114 against Essendon. Melville hit 108 against the Dogs, 76 against Greenvale Kangaroos and 50 against the Bombers, coming in with 234 runs at 58.5. He also kept wickets. Melville is playing in the firsts for South Barwon in the strong Geelong association.

Lucas McKinnon (Essendon): had a consistent carnival for the Bombers with scores of 63, 48, 68 and 33, giving him 212 runs at 53. He also bowled his spin tidily and served as vice-captain. McKinnon is playing for St Francis de Sales in the VTCA, and the Bombers regard him as an excellent prospect.

Lachlan McArthur (Footscray): The Caroline Springs lad wasn’t required to bat in the first match, but after an even 50 from No 7 he was pushed up to open and had scores of 15 and 118. Not only can he open the batting, he can open the bowling, generating sharp pace. The Bulldogs hope to see him in Premier ranks next season.

Oliver Peake.

Oliver Peake (Geelong): it’s worth remembering the 14-year-old left-hander can play two more years at Under 16 level. Hit 107 not out against Greenvale Kangaroos in the first round and 54 not out against Essendon in Round 5. Peake also played for Plenty Valley in the VSDCA Under 15 John Craig Shield and hit a record 548 runs, peeling off scores of 87 not out, 87, 115, 106 and 88.

Thivi Salwathura (Frankston Peninsula): captained the Heat and crafted three half-centuries from his four hands. The right-hander has also played thirds and fourths for Frankston Peninsula this season. “He understands the game well, he’s a great kid and he’s an even better cricketer,’’ FP coach Luke Gandy said. “He’ll play a lot of first grade cricket at our club if he stays on this path.’’

Harrison Sheahan (Melbourne University): left-arm swing bowler from Kyneton who took nine wickets at 12.7. Also played a match for Uni in their Sunday team in the MCC Club XI competition and grabbed 2-6 off seven overs.

Campbell Snookes (Geelong): one of the leading players in a Geelong team that won all four of its matches. The left-hander from Barwon Heads missed out in the first match, but made 81, 75no and 86no in his next three knocks, finishing with 248 runs at 124. “Very mature, knows his game, it was a pleasure to watch him throughout the carnival,’’ Geelong coach Dylan Slater said.

Tom Wrigglesworth bowling for the Swans. Pic: Chris Thomas Photography

Tom Wrigglesworth (Casey South Melbourne): the son of former Victorian all-rounder and Premier Cricket Ryder Medal champion Ian Wrigglesworth bowls leg-spin, and he took seven wickets in his three matches, including a hat-trick against Dandenong. Already play top-team cricket in the strong Sale-Maffra association, for Stratford.

AND ONE MORE TO WATCH

Lachie Phillips (Essendon): right-arm paceman from Yarrawonga Mulwala Cricket Club who took the new ball and impressed with his speed and accuracy without getting the rewards in the scorebook. “He’s got a bit of excitement about him,’’ Bombers coach Mitchell Stephens said.

AND LIFT-OFF FOR THE LEGGIES

Tom Wrigglesworth was one of a few leggies to shape up well during the carnival. Others included Frankston Peninsula’s Liam Walsh, Footscray’s Arjun Sehrawat, Melbourne Uni’s Rithin Rakes and Prahran’s Caleb Candappa. Sehrawat, a Victorian Metro Under 15 selection last season, had figures of 0-11 off 10 overs against Essendon. He’s grabbed 17 wickets playing for the Bulldogs’ thirds and fourths this season. The bouncy little Candappa captained Prahran in its three matches and snaffled 5-35 off nine overs against Fitzroy-Doncaster.