VSDCA 2024-25: Finals game-changers named

Crunch time has arrived in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association — and we have listed the players set to shake up the finals in north-east and south-west sections.

The stage is set for big-game players as finals blast off in Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association this weekend.

The added pressure will bring out the best in some, and test others.

Undefeated Preston will look to continue its dominant 2024-25 season when it hosts Plenty Valley in North-East section. On a six-game tear, Noble Park meets Mt Waverley (which boasts the brilliant spinner Shenuka De Silva) in another semi-final, and St Bernard’s hosts Brunswick.

The South-West finals series looks wide open, with all six sides capable of going all the way. The clash between Oakleigh and Caulfield will be a ripper.

We’ve identified the key players who will be pivotal in their side’s premiership quest in both groups.

NORTH-EAST

LOUIS CAMERON (Brunswick)

Has often been the odd man out as Dan Houghton (34 wickets) and Ameya Gharat (25) have hogged the wickets at times this season. The former Victoria quick has still managed 23 poles at 13.83 and showed in the final game of the home-and-away season what he’s capable of, taking 5-19 against Box Hill.

JACKSON COOPER (Brunswick)

While Chris Thewlis gets the attention, Cooper has been critical to Brunswick’s return to the finals this season. The opening bat has 363 runs at 33. Needs to find consistency but when he does make a start he usually goes on with it, scoring below 12 seven times and 84, 77, 57, 73 and 35 not out once settled.

SHENUKA DE SILVA (Mt Waverley)

Beware, one of the competition’s best spinners. Averaging a miserly 12.23 with the ball for 39 wickets this season, and opposition batsmen know they’re in for a tough day at the office when pitted against the star Roo. He has topped the wicket-taking charts. And bagging six scalps against a finals outfit St Bernard’s is a big tick.

JEVON KETT (St Bernard’s)

Has moved into the middle order and found consistent form, making only one single digit score this season. Can take a game away from teams with quick-fire bursts but is also capable of settling in and playing a controlled innings when needed. Finished the home-and-away season with 320 runs — ranked 20th in the North-East group.

Janaka Liyanabadalge on the drive for Noble Park. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

JANAKA LIYANABADALGE (Noble Park)

The former Sri Lankan first-class cricketer is a class above and is no stranger to premiership success in the Subbies. This season’s return of 488 runs and 24 wickets helped rocket his side to second spot. Age hasn’t wearied the Noble Park captain — at 43, he’s one of only four players ranked in the top-20 batters and bowlers this season.

KISHOR MAHATO (Plenty Valley)

The Nepalese international has had a sneaky good season opening the bowling for the Bats. Finished the home-and-away season with 21 wickets at 18.52 in 12 matches. If he — and new ball partner Simon Black — can made early head way with the ball it opens up opportunities for star spinner Musaddiq Ali Hamza.

MARCUS MURPHY (Preston)

The Bullants rank sixth in wickets taken this season and will be looking for more from their new ball bowlers entering finals. Murphy has only taken 16 wickets this season but has the ability to be a wrecking ball. Fellow quicks Liam Ingram and Kyle Wash have 15 and 18 wickets respectively.

Marcus Murphy of Preston bowls. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

SAHAN PERERA (Noble Park)

The reigning Val Holten Medallist has an appetite for the big stage with a proven premiership-winning record. Teams have every right to fear the Sri Lankan who has averaged 99.89 with the bat for 899 runs this season, also nabbing 31 wickets.

SWAPNIL SALVI (Preston)

Doesn’t get the limelight like some of his teammates but Salvi has been a model of consistency in the middle order for the Bullants. Finished the home-and-away season with steady 44 to guide Preston past Kew, his seventh score of 25-plus for the year. Tidy behind the stumps too.

KARTIK SINGH (Plenty Valley)

Started the season like a house on fire, scoring a century on debut, but fell away badly. Scored just 56 runs in 10 innings through the middle of the season. However, he seems to have regained some form recently, scoring 22, 45 and 33 in his final three games. The Bats will be hoping he can produce a big one this weekend.

TOM WINCHESTER (St Bernard’s)

Had struggled with the bat this season but dropped back to the Seconds for a week before heading overseas and scored an impressive 101. The Snowdogs will be hoping he can keep that form up entering finals. Has been more consistent with the ball, taking 16 wickets, including a 5-10 against Endeavour Hills, so has a big role to play.

SOUTH-WEST

PETER CASSIDY (Brighton)

Makes the ball talk, attacks the stumps and can crack open an opposition’s top order. Also one of the best captains in Subbies.

SHIJIT CHANDRAN (Hoppers Crossing)

The top order batter has proven he has the quality to perform on the big stage – shown by his knock in the T20 final against Elsternwick. He hit 98 against Malvern, this weekend’s opponents, which was his highest score of the season. Can score quickly or soak up the pressure.

Shijit Chandran in full flight for Hoppers Crossing. Picture: Andy Brownbill

JEREMY CORBY (Caulfield)

The powerful left-hander has made vital runs in the middle order all season as well as taking 19 wickets at 18 with his offies.

JAMES GRUBB (Altona)

He’s only played a handful of games this season and that’s what makes him such a dangerous proposition. The Altona skipper is one of the most talented players in the competition when on song. He scored 36 not out in the final round which is only going to do his confidence the world of good.

NATHAN HARFORD (Oakleigh)

The quality opener has got a lot of starts this season without putting a big score on the board. He’s still topped the Oaks runs list with 395.

Nathan Harford on the drive for Oakleigh. Picture: Valeriu Campan

SAM HUNT (Malvern)

Hunt rediscovered his best form at the right time after picking up 4-58 in the final game of the season against Elsternwick. He has been one of his side’s leading performers with 23 wickets at 24.35 for the season.

ALEXANDER JONES (Oakleigh)

The zippy left-armer attacks the stumps and gets the new ball moving. His consistent season has yielded 26 wickets at 14.46. Now for finals…

GLEN PARKER (Brighton)

The match winning all-rounder has a bowling average of under 10 (he’s taken 34 wickets) and has racked up 374 runs with the bat in the top order, always looking to attack the bowling.

HARSHIT TAKKAR (Hoppers Crossing)

Heads into the finals as arguably the Cats’ most in-form bowler. He’s taken nine wickets in his last three outings.

NICK TAYLOR (Malvern)

Malvern will be desperate for their star man to find his best form after a rollercoaster final four games. His last four innings are 1, 134no, 18 and 2. If he gets in, don’t be surprised if he puts a big score on the board.

JACOB THORNE (Caulfield)

The champion all-rounder has had another bumper season with 520 runs at 34 and 30 wickets at 19.9. A big-game performer who has been waiting for finals.

MATTHEW TURCINOVICH (Altona)

His skipper spoke highly of his performance against Spotswood last weekend and Turcinovich is a man in form. He has two half-centuries in his past four innings and has shown a consistent ability to find the boundary. Has made the number five spot his own this season.