Victorian Premier Cricket: Men’s and women’s Team of the Week

A bowler who took wickets with the opening two deliveries of a match, a clutch innings by a fast bowler and stars on the rise...the Victorian Premier Cricket teams of the week for men’s and women’s have been named. SEE THEM HERE

Ryan Hammel is all concentration while batting for Frankston Peninsula. Picture: Valeriu Campan

There was no shortage of match-winning performances in the latest rounds of Victorian Premier Cricket for men’s and women’s.

Dandenong opening bowler Poppy Gardner made a spectacular start to her match when she was on a hat-trick after two deliveries, while Sam Harper showed his class with a sizzling century for Melbourne.

And Kingston Hawthorn paceman Tyler Pearson underlined his emergence as a genuine all-rounder by dragging his side to a gripping win with a superb batting display.

MEN

1. Ashley Chandrasinghe (Casey South Melbourne)

The Victorian opener hit 104 off 196 balls — his second century of the summer for the Bloods — to set up a winning total of 338.

2. Dylan Brasher (Footscray)

Did all he could to get his side across the line with a brilliant century on day one, compiling 158 runs off 213 balls. It was the Victorian contracted batter’s second century in three games.

3. Campbell Kellaway (Melbourne)

First century of the season at Premier level for the Victorian-listed batter, plundering 103 off 142 balls in his side’s successful chase of Footscray’s 375, as Melbourne finished at 6-378 in a scoring frenzy. Kellaway is averaging 57.17 (343 runs) from nine Premier matches this season.

4. Ryan Hammel (Frankston Peninsula)

The determined right-hander peeled off his second century of the season, an even 100, to set the Heat on the path to a rousing run chase win over Melbourne University. Hammel has 475 runs for the season.

Ryan Hammel batting for the Heat. Picture: Valeriu Campan

5. Jonathan Merlo (St Kilda)

Merlo led the way in St Kilda’s massive 5-405 declared, blazing 160 off 169, including 22 boundaries. It was his second century of the Premier Cricket season.

6. Matthew Montgomery (Richmond)

The South African first-class player made 119 off 165 balls for the Tigers, and also took 2-13 with his offies.

7. Dylan Kight (Footscray)

Playing in his 249th game, Kight helped set up the innings for his side with 110 off 157 balls, including 18 boundaries and a six. A huge milestone now awaits.

Dylan Kight. Picture: Andy Brownbil

8. Sam Harper (Melbourne)

Melbourne was set a lofty task of chasing Footscray’s 375 – but Harper answered the challenge with a knock of 112 from 103 deliveries, top-scoring to lift his side to 6-378 in a four-wicket victory. The state and Big Bash star has only played two Premier Cricket matches this season, but he’s saluted centuries in both, also raising the bat with 142 against Northcote in Round 1.

9. Arjun Nair (Camberwell Magpies)

The former Sydney Thunder all-rounder produced yet another match-winning display, hitting 80 (13 fours) — his fifth half-century of the season — in the Magpies’ win over Essendon. Also took 1-31.

10. Tyler Pearson (Kingston Hawthorn)

Played a starring role in the Hawks’ gripping victory. After taking 3-27, Pearson made a crucial 41no (off 89 balls) after going in at 7-128 to guide the Hawks past the 204 target, finishing 9-205.

11. Nathan Lambden (Casey South Melbourne)

The big quickie brought the fire as he took 4-92 off 23 overs, striking early and later on to secure an important win for the Bloods.

Tyler Pearson sends one down for Kingston Hawthorn. Picture: Valeriu Campan

12th: David King (Ringwood)

What a summer it’s been from the 300-game veteran, slamming on 75 of his side’s 7-274 total on the weekend in a three-wicket win over Dandenong to lift his season to 560 runs at 62.22.

WOMEN

1. Rhianna Southby (Box Hill)

Southby’s fourth half-century of the one-day season gave Box Hill the perfect platform to chase down Prahran’s total. She was eventually out for 59 off 77.

1. Nicole Faltum (Dandenong)

A leading 41no from 49 balls for the keeper in a 10-wicket rout of Essendon Maribyrnong Park, lifting her team to 83 as the Bombers fell over for 81.

3. Jessica Matin (Dandenong)

Delivered a withering spell of bowling, taking 3-4, to roll Essendon Maribyrnong Park for 81, and then hit 26no to seal a resounding win.

Jessica Matin of Dandenong.

4. Rhiann O’Donnell (Melbourne)

The Melbourne opener continued her sparkling form in this format with a second straight half-century and her fifth of the season. O’Donnell was eventually out on 55 off 85.

5. Zoe Griffiths (Box Hill)

An unbeaten 40 off 63 deliveries for the multiple club champion, lifting her season-total to 237 runs at 47 – and the ladder-leading Mustangs to 2-144 in an eight-wicket win over Prahran.

6. Zoe Samuel (Melbourne)

Produced an important knock of 40 off 48 balls, her second highest score of the season, as Melbourne secured a convincing win over Carlton. She was economical with the ball taking 0-6 off four overs.

Zoe Samuel batting for Melbourne. Picture: Valeriu Campan

7. Poppy Gardner (Dandenong)

The Panthers opening bowler was on a hat-trick very, very early against EMP after striking with the opening two balls of the match. Finished with 3-9 of 5 overs.

8. Amy Yates (Melbourne)

The medium-pacer reeled in 5-28 in the weekend’s 85-run demolition of Carlton, consigning the Blues to 95 as they fell well short of Melbourne’s 180. From opener Cailin Green to tail-ender Kiara Jones, Yates had the Carlton batting line-up’s measure.

9. Maddie Wright (Box Hill)

Continued her good form with the ball, taking 2-18 in her side’s win over Prahran. Wright also chipped in with 11 not out.

10. Acacia Sutton (Dandenong)

The leggie took a season-best 2-22 and also accepted a sharp catch at mid-off.

11. Shashikala Hettimulla Appuhamilage (Box Hill)

Bowled a tremendous spell of spin to take 3-18 off 10 overs, as well as taking two catches in Box Hill’s win.