VTCA: Every club’s key finals player
From the stars of the show to the unsung heroes, these players are likely to shape the VTCA finals this weekend. Here’s the key player for every club.
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Finals time has arrived in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
This weekend, clubs across all six divisions will battle it out for a place in the grand final.
For some, they’ll be a step closer to a promotion to a higher division too.
Here’s a look at the key players who could make a difference.
SENIOR DIVISION
Charles Thurston (Aberfeldie)
The Englishman arrived with a reputation for scoring big runs and duly delivered this season. Thurston topped the VTCA Senior Division run-scoring charts with 511 runs at an average of 42.58. He enters finals in red-hot form after scoring 91 and 96 in the past two matches against Deer Park and St Albans respectively.
Aziz Ullah (Haig Fawkner)
With Haig’s bowling stocks severely depleted, Ullah has a big load to carry. He’s done so perfectly so far this season, leading the VTCA Senior Division wicket-taking charts with 35 scalps. Took a season-best 5-43 against semi-final opponent Deer Park this season and has 3-32 and 4-24 in his last outing against Aberfeldie and Yarraville Club respectively.
Mitch Johnstone (Yarraville Club)
The Clubbers captain-coach will play a critical role with bat and ball if his club is to win the premiership for the first time since 2017-18. Johnstone does most of his damage with the ball, taking 26 wickets at 20.62 this season, ranked sixth overall. However, he’s also a handy middle-order batter, knocking up 327 at 29.73. Arguably the best captain in the competition as well.
Roshon Primus (Deer Park)
The big West Indian arrived mid-season and has taken the captaincy from Ricky Suvada. He‘s had a significant influence on the Lions stunning run to the VTCA Senior Division finals in their first crack at the top flight. In his seven appearances, he’s only taken eight wickets but been vital to Deer Park building pressure and his teammates have likely reaped the rewards. Has done more damage with the bat, scoring 226 runs at a strong average of 56.50.
DIVISION 1
Kaushal Lokuarachchi (Sunshine)
Has been one of the competition’s best all-rounders throughout the season. He’s hit 397 runs and claimed 31 wickets, the second most in the competition. Lokuarachchi hit a half-century in the previous game against St Francis de Sales, an innings which was his highest score since the new year.
Tayo Walbrugh (St Francis de Sales)
A late arrival to start the season, Walbrugh has emerged as one of the competition’s best recruits this season. The top order batsman has hit 438 runs at 48.7. He’ll have a point to prove against Sunshine having been dismissed for just 12 in their previous clash in the penultimate round of the home-and-away season.
Gayashan Weerasekara (Sydenham-Hillside)
The Storm will be hoping their star all-rounder can produce a similar performance to their earlier clash with Doutta Stars when he recorded 88 with the bat and 2-29 with the ball. The second highest run scorer at the club and in the competition, he’ll be hoping to power his side into a grand final.
Patrick Willach (Doutta Stars)
Was below his usual standards when the two sides met back in December but could turn the semi-final in his side’s favour. Willach hit 429 runs at 42.9 for the season and took 15 wickets at 21.9.
DIVISION 2
Ashen Abeykoon (Footscray United)
Capable of winning a match with either bat or ball for United. Finished the season ranked 11th in Division 2 for total runs – 340 at 48.57 – and 11th for wickets – 20 at 15.45. Was brilliant in the Round 12 clash against West Newport, snaring 5-35 with the ball before topscoring with the bat with 78. However, it wasn’t enough to stop United going down by 18 runs.
Pawan Wickramasinghe (St Andrews Pascoe Vale)
Scored a matchwinning – and personal season-high – 72 in St Andrews’ Round 8 win over Altona Roosters and will be looking to repeat that performance in the semi-final. Has had an inconsistent season with two half-centuries but also four scores of three or less. St Andrews will be hoping for the former.
Clarke Doughney (West Newport)
Had an impressive individual season with bat and ball that has helped propel West Newport into premiership and promotion calculations. His VTCA Division 2 campaign netted 215 runs at 43.00 but he did most of his damage with the ball, snaring 26 wickets – ranked fifth overall – at an average of 13.88. Will take plenty of confidence from a 54 and 3-38 against Footscray United in the penultimate round.
Ashleigh Peters (Altona Roosters)
The Roosters’ third-leading run-scorer and ninth-highest in the competition this season but Peters lasted just four balls in the last meeting against St Andrews Pascoe Vale. Brother Chris suffered the same fate and both will be looking to reverse their fortunes in the semi-final and potentially bounce the club straight back up to Division 1 with a second premiership in three seasons.
DIVISION 3
Sam Crea (Grand United)
Since returning to the club, Crea has been one of the most impressive bowlers in Division 3, highlighted by two five-wicket hauls in his last two outings. He has 27 wickets for the season at 12.
Brad Hunter (Sunbury)
Has been a dominant force with the ball this season, taking 24 wickets in nine games. He managed to trouble Point Cook in the last clash between the two sides with 3-27 from six overs. Nine wickets in the last two matches mean Hunter comes into the weekend in impressive form.
Tarique Jeffrey (East Keilor)
Jeffrey finished with the second most wickets in Division 3 this season and has already proven to be more than a handful for Grand United this season. In their home-and-away clash he took 2-32 and scored 34 runs as the two sides played out a tie.
Harvinder Singh (Point Cook)
One of the big name recruits of the off-season across the off-season and now is the perfect time to deliver. Singh enters the finals series in ominous form — especially with the ball having taken 17 wickets in his last four outings. Although Sunbury had his measure in the previous meeting.
DIVISION 4
Sam Younghusband (Moonee Valley)
Finished third on the competition’s run-scorers charts with 407 runs – and second at the club behind Salman Afridi – but has feasted on Williamstown Colts this season. Younghusband scored 63 not out in the Round 2 clash at Ormond Park and followed it up with a brilliant 107 not out in the return bout at Greenwick Reserve. Has three other half-centuries in a run-filled campaign.
Rukshan Fernando (Maribyrnong Park St Marys)
Played a key role in the club’s fairytale run to the VTCA T20 semi-final and will play a major role in its premiership campaign. Capable of influencing a match with bat or ball having scored 376 runs, ranked fourth overall and taken 14 wickets this season. Scored an unbeaten 61 in Maribyrnong Park’s Round 6 win over Gellibrand, so will be confident of repeating the dose.
Belal El Kurdi (Williamstown Colts)
Colts’ leading wicket-taker this season with 19 scalps will need to fire if they’re to have any chance of knocking off the red-hot premiership favourite, Moonee Valley. El Kurdi missed the last meeting with Moonee Valley this season and failed to take a wicket in the Round 1 clash so will be asked to step up on the weekend.
Paul Hetherington (Gellibrand)
The paceman has taken multiple wickets 12 times this season with a best of 5-26 against St Andrews Footscray. Had a day out against Williamstown Colts in Round 12, taking eight wickets for the match, including 4-6 in the first innings. Has only played semi-final opponent Maribyrnong Park St Mary‘s once this season and snared 3-33 in a loss.
MORE: LEADER’S VTCA TEAMS OF THE YEAR
DIVISION 5
Joseph Conlin (East Coburg)
Among the finest all-rounders in the competition this season. Conlin has scored 444 runs at 63.4 and taken 19 wickets at 16.4. Will be desperate for a better showing against the Royals this time around.
Daniel Nightingale (Footscray Angliss)
One of the most impressive wicketkeepers in Division 5 throughout the duration of the season. His stats included 341 runs at 37.89, 10 catches (ranked 4th) and five stumpings (ranked 3rd).
Brett Talbot (Sanctuary Lakes)
The Sharks skipper missed the previous meeting against the minor premier but could turn the game in his side’s favour. He hit a remarkable 161 a couple of weeks ago and is capable of a long stay at the crease.
Sameera Vithana (Melton South)
Has taken just one wicket in two matches against East Coburg this season, a form line he’d like to turn around. He made a half-century last time the two sides met.
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