Willow bashes leather in Round 3 Premier Cricket Team of the Week

There are debutants and regulars in this edition of the Team of the Week as bat continued to dominate ball across the Premier Cricket competition.

Maiden centuries, purple patches and all-round efforts.

It was all captured in this edition of the Premier Cricket Team of the Week.

1. BLAKE THOMSON (Melbourne)

The Demons captain raised his bat for his second century of the season but his 127 failed to deliver his side its first win of ‘23-24 as Ringwood responded with a mighty batting display.

2. ZACH ELLIOTT (Fitzroy Doncaster)

Set the Lions up with 109 runs off 186 balls in the big win over Richmond, smacking 11 fours and three sixes. The returning gun has batted at No. 2 this season.

Zachary Elliott celebrates scoring his century. Picture: Andy Brownbill

3. TOM ROGERS (Ringwood)

The Victorian-listed batsman made a stunning return to the Rams’ line-up, with an unbeaten 103 runs from 111 deliveries to help his side to a slender lead over Melbourne heading into the second day of play.

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4. DHANUSHA GAMAGE (Dandenong)

Gamage is making First XI cricket look extremely easy. Two unbeaten centuries in two trips to the crease certainly has the competition on notice. His 117 not out on Saturday steered Dandenong to its second consecutive win.

5. OLIVER PEAKE (Geelong)

The teenage sensation produced his first century of his Premier career when he hit an unbeaten 110 on day one against Greenvale Kangaroos. His innings included 11 boundaries. His performance couldn’t have come at a better time as he prepares to play APS cricket for his school Geelong Grammar with the season starting this weekend.

Oliver Peake brings up his hundred against Greenvale Kangaroos. Picture: Carey Neate.

6. MICHAEL WALLACE (Casey-South Melbourne)

The Swans skipper went in one stroke away and took very little time to bring up his milestone on day two. Wallace’s 101 from 144 deliveries is his fifth ton in Premier Cricket.

7. BEN SHIELDS (Camberwell Magpies)

The Maggies’ keeper top-scored with 83 runs off 125 deliveries in his side’s loss to Casey-South Melbourne, following up from a 41-run innings against Kingston-Hawthorn in his last outing.

8. ARJUN NAIR (Footscray)

The Big Bash all-rounder had been serviceable in his first two outings for the Bulldogs but showcased his full range of talents in the Round 3 win over Essendon. He started by taking 2-20 from 11.1 overs with an economy rate of just 1.79. He then combined with debutant Aiman Nadeen to guide his team to an eight-wicket win. Nair would eventual fall for 77 from 99 balls with six boundaries.

Arjun Nair bowling for the Sydney Thunder.

Nathan Lambden is in super form. Picture: Andy Brownbill

9. NATHAN LAMBDEN (Casey-South Melbourne)

Lambden is enjoying a fine start to the Premier Cricket season, taking 6-51 after his five-wicket haul last round against Greenvale. He has 13 scalps at 12 so far this summer.

10. CALLUM STOW (Geelong)

The left-arm spinner tore through Greenvale’s middle order to guide his side to yet another win. He finished with figures of 6-68 from 32.5 overs. He took key wickets too including that of Bernard Kelly and Kalhan Sineth who showed plenty of resistance for the visitors.

11. MARK STAFFORD (Melbourne University)

Scored some handy lower-order runs — 21 off 68 balls to be exact — to help put the Students in control against Frankston Peninsula. Stafford then turned destroyer with the ball, cleaning up the Heat lower order, finishing with 4-15 from 12 overs. With a 117-run win secured, Uni put the visitors back in in the hope of an outright win and Stafford struck with the fourth ball of the innings but Frankston Peninsula steadied to see off the threat. He finished with 5-27 for the match.

12. JOSH SLATER (Dandenong)

Slater’s maiden first XI century, in his 43rd match, carried the Panthers to a memorable victory as they chased down Kingston Hawthorn’s 320. Slater’s 131 came off 216 balls and featured a 222-run fourth wicket partnership with Dandy’s other century maker Dhanusha Gamage.