VSDCA: Croydon wins 2024 JG Craig Shield as Sharma, Lyons star

A stunning revival at the crease spearheaded Croydon to victory in Sunday’s JG Craig Shield decider, with a pair of unbeaten knocks delivering the Cockies their first title in years.

Croydon celebrates its 2024 Craig Shield grand final victory. Picture: Croydon CC

It’s a first for Croydon in almost two decades.

And it went down to the wire.

The Cockies are celebrating their first JG Craig Shield title in 18 years after staging an almighty revival to edge Brighton in the second-last over of the under-15 decider on Sunday.

Led by the commanding partnership of Yuvraj Sharma (61 not out) and George Lyons (50 not out), Croydon clawed its way back from 3-17 on the way to 5-173 following Brighton’s 9-172.

Sharma was named man-of-the-match – with the spinner also bagging 2-15 off nine overs.

Croydon coach Phil Lovell lauded the left-handed batter’s matchwinning display.

“He’s a very talented player with all-round skill – he was involved in the Victorian under-12 team a couple of years ago and he’s one player that you’re probably going to see a lot more of in the coming years,” Lovell said.

With the wickets tumbling, Lovell said Lyons’ resolve under pressure couldn’t be denied as he combined with Sharma to rescue the title.

Sharma and Lyons of Croydon celebrate the 2024 Craig Shield win. Picture: Croydon CC

“(Lyons) is probably a batter who can bat much higher, but what we tried to do was give each batter a role within the team and George tends to score a bit quicker,” he said.

“I was really rapt for George because he’s come in when there’s heaps of wickets fallen and has to try and rebuild … to actually play under that pressure and be able to get through was really great.

“To see him grow and develop – especially in Croydon’s junior program has been really great, too.

“(Sharma and Lyons) are two players who are very different in the way they approach the game, but at the same time, were really deserving of a partnership of 110.”

Meanwhile, the Cockies’ Lucas Clausen peeled off 28 runs off 69 balls, while pace bowlers Noah Occhipinti (2-25 off five overs) and Corey Ah-Mu (2-32 off eight) also featured.

Brighton’s Jock McKenzie gave the ton a nudge with 82 runs off 115 deliveries while Jack O’Brien led the bowling attack with 2-31 off eight overs.

And the generational connections ran deep within the Croydon ranks.

Lovell also coached the club to the title 18 years ago – this time around overseeing the grandson of a former mentor.

“It was really nice symmetry,” Lovell said.

“In the mid-90s I was coached by a fella by the name of Ron Critchley who the medal was named after at Croydon for the best player, and his grandson (current Craig Shield opening batsman Nicholas Critchley) is captain.

“(Nicholas) is another player who’s an up-and-coming junior, a bottom-age player with another year in the program.

“Eighteen years ago was also the first year they played the under-15 competition.”

Lovell paid tribute to the VSDCA.

“The Craig Shield program is really valuable … the Subbies don’t get a lot of kudos for running the program,” he said.

“To run a program with such high talent and to see kids from all over state attracted to it, it can only bode well for the future of the competition.”