We name the top players in every suburban cricket association for 2022-23
Runs too numerous to count and wickets for days. These stars of local cricket racked up some amazing numbers this season in Melbourne’s metro cricket competitions.
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We’re celebrating the best in Melbourne’s metropolitan cricket associations.
Former internationals, district stars and local legends compiled amazing seasons with bat and ball – and sometimes both.
There are runs too numerous to count and wickets for days.
From the tip of the peninsula to the Macedon hills, we’ve compiled the best of the best in season 2022-23.
Check out the top players in every senior competition below.
BOX HILL REPORTER DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Ray McIntosh Shield
Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan, Box Hill North Super Kings: 606 runs at 55.09; 24 wickets at 21.75
Runaway leading run-scorer in the BHRDCA’s top-flight, while also finishing sixth overall for wickets taken.
Danny O’Shea, East Box Hill: 29 wickets at 15.90; 252 runs at 21
Pipped East Burwood’s Lahiru Fernando for the top bowling gong, in a season that included two five-fors with a best of 6-27. Also put up 76 runs against Forest Hill in Round 6.
Lahiru Fernando, East Burwood: 29 wickets at 19.07; 223 runs at 24.78
Took no fewer than a couple of wickets each time he played in an ultra-consistent campaign, and more than three on five occasions, highlighted by two five-fors.
Howard Wilson Shield
Gihan De Silva, Blackburn South: 38 wickets at 14.34
A sizzling 7-68 against Bulleen-Templestowe was the height of De Silva’s campaign, among three five-fors. Also claimed 3-56 in the semi-final against Koonung Heights.
Satnam Singh, Mitcham: 679 runs at 48.50; 35 wickets at 12.77
Six half-centuries and a ton to lead the run-scoring, alongside a second-placed finish to the wicket-count. What a campaign.
Dorothy McIntosh Shield
Matthew Bianco, Wyclif: 32 wickets at 14.16
Finished the season with a rush, taking in hauls of 6-44, 5-25, 3-16 and 2-57. Went just one match without claiming a scalp, such was the consistency of Bianco’s campaign.
Chathura Jayasinghe, Box Hill North Super Kings: 534 runs at 48.55
Topped the runs comfortably in his division, spearheading the Super Kings to the flag. Put on a best of 123 not-out against Heatherdale mid-season before driving his side into the decider with 98 in the semi-final. Also took 11 wickets at 18.45.
CRICKET SOUTHERN BAYSIDE
Championship Division
Ben Seabrook, Bentleigh: 615 runs, at 76.88
The Englishman started with a bang, peeling off 130 against Murrumbeena, and went on to put together an incredibly consistent season, hitting five half-tons and reaching double figures in 11 off 13 trips to the crease.
Ben Earney, Beaumaris: 31 wickets, at 16.5
The tall paceman regularly got vital breakthroughs with the new ball and was pivotal as the Sharks made the grand final.
Division 1
Saumil Patel, Carnegie: 412 runs, at 31.6, and 12 wickets
The former Frankston Peninsula batter was consistently in the runs as Carnegie surged into the grand final.
Wade King, McKinnon: 30 wickets, at 16.5, and 237 runs, at 23.7
The dynamic all-rounder topped the Division 1 wicket tally. He took one five-for and on seven occasions snared three wickets in an innings. He also blasted vital runs, including a century in a T20 match and 92 off 51 balls against Carnegie.
CV WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CRICKET
Statistics disabled by association.
DANDENONG DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Turf 1
Blade Baxter, Springvale South: 29 wickets at 17.28
The eventual Damien Fleming Medalist had a superb finals campaign which allowed him to finish the entire summer atop of the wicket tally. The left-arm seamers’ best performance came against Hallam Kalora Park when he captured 5-33. He continued to haunt the Hawks, taking 4-46 and making 55 not out in the preliminary final.
Ryan Quirk, Springvale South: 509 runs at 50.90
The Bloods’ skipper passed 50 on four occasions for the conversion of two centuries. His summer was cut short due to a foot injury in the week of the preliminary final but his side went on to win the Turf 1 premiership.
Jeevan Mendis, Narre South: 389 runs at 48.6 and 25 wickets at 16.7
The former Sri Lankan international finished the home and away season atop of the wicket leaderboard, complimenting his splendid season with the bat. The Wookey Medalists’ highlight came in Round 6 when he jagged 6-27 and blasted 116. Mendis also plundered 116 from just 33 balls in the T20 competition, sending six balls to the fence and 14 over it.
Turf 2
Peter Sweeney, Cranbourne: 38 wickets at 11.08 and 406 runs at 36.9
Sweeney took home back-to-back Gartside Medals after leading the wicket tally and contributing with the bat. He took wickets in each of his 14 matches, highlighted by 7-35 against Narre Warren in Round 5. Sweeney, and his brother Michael, have since moved to Tooradin in the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association.
Tyler Clark, Beaconsfield: 639 runs at 49.15
Clark had a sublime season with the Tigers, showing sensational consistency. He fell below double figures on just one occasion and made 40 or more 11 times. Clark’s highest score of the season came in his second hit of the year, when he took Doveton for 104 at a slow Robinson Reserve.
Turf 3
Nuwan Kulasekera, Dandenong West: 34 wickets at 6.38
The former Sri Lankan star took command of the Turf 3 season this summer with an extraordinary 14 matches. He took wickets in every match, including a season-best of 5-3. He also made an impact with the bat, crunching 492 runs at 61.5. Unsurprisingly, he took home the Turf 3 MVP in a canter.
Nuwan Mendis, Springvale: 658 runs at 54.83
Mendis didn’t reach a century but plundered seven scores above 50 in his 13 innings. He was a colossal boundary hitter, striking 26 more fours than anyone else in the competition.
EASTERN CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Dunstan Shield
Matt Bremner, East Doncaster: 666 runs at 51.23
Bremner put together a brilliant season which included six half-centuries and one triple figure knock. He’s now set to coach Premier club Fitzroy-Doncaster next season.
Charlie Parker, Mont Albert: 30 wickets at 15.27
Parker had one five-wicket haul during the season and finished as the competition’s leader.
Wright Shield
Sameen Kandanearachchi, St Kevins Old Collegians: 522 runs at 40.15
The St Kevins star finished as the leading run scorer in a season which included a century and four 50s.
Upul Indrasiri, St Kevins Old Collegians: 36 wickets at 8.78
Dominated with the ball this summer, finishing with 10 more wickets than any opponent.
Sturgess Shield
Suraj Randiv, Edinburgh: 645 runs at 58.64, 38 wickets at 13.05
Brilliant throughout the season with one century and three half-centuries.
FERNTREE GULLY DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Norm Reeves Shield
Andri Berenger, Ferntree Gully: 709 runs at 54.54
The Sri Lankan blazed past 700 runs and was a comfortable leader in the count by the end of the season, taking the Gully to a premiership. Didn’t crack the ton this season, but six half-centuries including three knocks over 80 tells you all you need to know about the right-hander’s influence.
Josh Henry, Ferntree Gully: 670 runs at 44.67; 25 wickets at 12.80
Finished in the top rungs for both runs and wickets in an almighty season, helping the Gully to a flag. Runner-up only to teammate Berenger for runs scored in the FTGDCA’s top-flight. Special mention to teammate Ben Grimshaw, who finished just behind on 24 wickets at 15.21.
Cameron Wheeler, Upwey-Tecoma: 29 wickets at 13.14
Leading wicket-taker in the top grade. Never went a match without troubling the scorers, taking three or more wickets on four occasions, including a 5-37 haul against Knoxfield in Round 13. A key driver in his side’s grand final push this season.
Jake Toohey, Ferntree Gully: 29 wickets at 13.41; 360 runs at 30
Beaten by a whisker for the top spot by Wheeler, but was arguably as potent. The former Premier man took two hauls of four in the final month of the season – with a match-winning 4-22 in the grand final win over Upwey-Tecoma.
RJ DeCoite Shield
Luke Barber, Johnson Park: 31 wickets at 10.32
Left the field empty-handed just once, in Round 6, before enjoying hauls of 6-7 and 4-26 in the run-up to his side’s premiership win over St John’s Tecoma.
Daniel Cormack, South Belgrave: 648 runs at 49.85
Season was highlighted by three half-centuries in four weeks to open the season, followed by back-to-back hundreds across his appearances in rounds 10 and 12, with 110 and 101 respectively.
Steven Devenish, Johnson Park: 634 runs at 57.64; 18 wickets at 16
A close second to South’s Daniel Cormack for the run-scoring crown this season, featuring among the top bowlers in the comp, too, in a consistent campaign for the experienced head.
Women’s
Miah Beardshaw, South Belgrave
The comp’s leading batter sailed past 301 runs in the senior grade playing nine matches, putting on an unbeaten 64 effort against Knox Gardens in Round 3. All up across the junior girls’ grades, she fired with a collective 781 runs, and 21 wickets across the under and open age matches (six in senior women’s at 23.17).
Grace Hourigan, South Belgrave
Took eight wickets from eight matches at an average of 14.00. Clicked to 111 runs in the senior ranks, among 346 overall in the girls comps.
GISBORNE DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
McIntyre Cup
Senura Perera, Sunbury United, 36 wickets at 17.08
Was the leading wicket-taker in the competition after a consistent season, where he was wicketless just three times. Sadly one of those times was in the grand final loss to Romsey. Took three or more wickets seven times with highs of 6-64 against Wallan and 5-56 against Woodend.
Jarryd Vernon, Gisborne, 835 runs at 83.50, 24 wickets at 14.63
A magnificent season in his return to the Dragons, capped with the Sullivan Medal. Vernon plundered an outstanding 751 runs at an average of 93.88 in the home-and-away season and finished the campaign with 835, eclipsing his previous best of 585 in 2019-20. Scored a personal best 178 against Woodend in Round 11. Was also busy with the ball, taking the equal fifth most wickets in the competition.
Johnstone Shield
Brett Buttler, Kilmore, 31 wickets at 10.71
Despite missing the start of the season, Buttler finished the season as the competition’s joint leading-wicket taker. Went wicketless in a game just once in 12 appearances with bests of 5-27 against Kyneton and 6-49 against Sunbury United.
Kevin Craddock, Kilmore, 530 runs at 53.00
Didn’t get out for less than 15 all season until the semi-final against Romsey. Smashed two centuries – 139 against Gisborne and 175 against Kyneton – but didn’t hit a half-century.
Jensen Shield
Brandon Nicholls, Hanging Rock, 754 runs at 107.71
Led his club to a premiership with a brilliant season that saw him score three tons – 135 against Blackwood, 108 against Malmsbury and 112 against Wallan – as well as three half-centuries. Was in the middle, on 27 not out, when the winning runs were scored in the grand final.
Steven Zubrycki, Hanging Rock, 31 wickets at 11.16
Starred in Hanging Rock’s grand final victory with 5-23, an equal season-best on the biggest stage. Also took 5-23 against St Anthonys in Round 8, where he took 8-47 for the match in an outright win.
Women’s League
Kim Bessell, Darley, 389 runs at 199.00
The competition’s dominant batter and league best-and-fairest winner. Bessell scored 349 runs at an incredible average of 349.00 in the home-and-away season, scoring less than 30 once. Was dismissed just twice as she finished the season with 398 runs at a slightly reduced average of 199.00.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Provincial Division
Matt Prosser, Langwarrin: 36 wickets, at 15, and 334 runs, at 23.
Prosser made MPCA history by winning a third consecutive Wally Wedgwood Medal as the best player in Provincial division. The 28-year-old tied with Old Peninsula champion Justin Grant in a thrilling vote count. He led the league in wickets with his leg spinners.
Jake Wood, Sorrento: 33 wickets, at 12.6
The big quickie led the Provincial division wickets list at the end of the regular season. Captured a career-best 8-16 against Baxter in Round 8 and in the same match also took 5-59.
Dylan O’Malley, Old Peninsula: 626 runs, at 44
Like a bottle of fine wine, the hard hitting opener gets better with age. Statistically, this was his best season for the Pirates as he helped them to another flag. Smacked 122 against Baden Powell in December, to go with four half centuries. Also captured 10 wickets with his tweakers.
Peninsula Division
Mackenzie Gardner, Seaford Tigers: 681 runs, at 61
The former Frankston Peninsula player scored his maiden century and followed it up with another ton, to go with four half centuries.
Adeel Hussain, Heatherhill: 45 wickets, at 26.5.
The champion paceman was instrumental in the Hills’ premiership, takings bags of wickets, including 6-57 in the semi and 4-47 in the grand final to enhance his reputation as a big game player.
District Division
Liam Collett, Rosebud: 483 runs, at 34.5
Blazed six half centuries in a consistent campaign to play a starring role in the Sharks’ premiership.
Andrew Smith, Seaford: 34 wickets, at 17.2
With a best of 7-44 in Round 13 and 4-65 in the semi-final, newly wed Smith’s thunderbolts fired Seaford into the grand final. He led the competition wicket tally.
Sub-District Division
Luke Hewitt, Balnarring: 606 runs, at 46.62, and 37 wickets, at 10
The Saints captain-coach claimed a fourth straight league medal, winning the Robert Thompson Medal, to go with three successive District medals while playing with Hastings. Hewitt crossed to Balnarring as a boom recruit and delivered in spades, steering the Saints to the premiership.
Thomas Walker, Mt Martha: 326 runs, at 21, and 43 wickets, at 12
Led the competition wickets tally, taking multiple wickets in all of his 13 matches. And scored vital runs in the top order to help the Reds into the grand final.
Women’s competition
Kylie Walters, Langwarrin: 669 runs, at 334.5, and 25 wickets, at 4.2
The champion peeled off two undefeated centuries in January, took a stack of wickets, including 7-6 in one match, and captained Langwarrin to back-to-back premierships.
NORTH METRO CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Jika Shield
Matthew Perri, Rivergum: 625 runs at 52.08
A legend of the NMCA had another exemplary season for Rivergum, scoring five half-centuries. Was denied a ton against Old Ivanhoe, finishing 97 not out. Scored fewer than 20 runs just three times in the entire season.
Michael Sortino, Preston Baseballers, 602 runs at 54.73, 25 wickets at 13.32
Finished second overall for runs and third for wickets in a brilliant all-round season to lead his team to the Jika Shield grand final. Scored seven half-centuries, falling agonisingly short of a ton against Donath in Round 2 – out for 97. Was also ultra consistent with the ball, failing to take a wicket only twice, with a season-best 5-18 against Keon Park.
Jarrod Bannister, Rivergum: 31 wickets at 8.77
A standout with the ball, finishing as the leading wicket taker despite playing two less games than the next best.
Jack Quick Shield
Blair Dawson, Camrea: 579 runs at 64.33
Had a ding-dong battle with teammate Avidu Fernandu for top billing on the run-scorers charts. The pair scored 515 and 498 runs respectively in the home-and-away season and finished the campaign with 579 and 571 to lead their club to the premiership. Dawson won out with centuries against Fairfield and Cameron and five 50s.
James Sparrow, Dennis: 32 wickets at 11.03
Opposition batters struggled against Sparrow who enjoyed a standout season.
Saman Muthuwadige, Camrea: 32 wickets at 12.03
Two five-wicket hauls throughout the season underlined the Camrea star’s ability with the ball.
Jack Kelly Shield
Jayden Perko, Heidelberg West: 503 runs at 45.73
Two big centuries helped Perko becoming the leading run scorer in the competition with just one half-century to his name alongside those.
NORTH WEST METRO CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Statistics disabled by association.
RINGWOOD & DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Lindsay Trollope Shield
Dillon Bettess, Ainslie Park: 594 runs at 45.69
Led the way in the RDCA’s top grade, highlighted by an unbeaten ton against East Ringwood in Round 5, among five half-centuries. Formed a potent mix with teammate Tom Stray – 591 runs at 49.25.
Shifran Muthalif, Lilydale: 32 wickets at 16.59; 573 runs at 44.08
Lit it up with bat and ball, leading the way for wickets and just 21 shy of the run-scoring crown. What a season.
Bill Wilkins Cup
Josh Turner, Kilsyth: 699 runs at 53.77; 24 wickets at 19.71
Peeled off three centuries including back-to-back tons to open the season, with his best effort of 120 coming in Round 1 against Wonga Park. Also turned out solid numbers with the ball from 14 matches, producing a best of 5-58 to finish fifth in the division for wickets taken.
Luke Killey, Warrandyte: 34 wickets at 17.12
Edged teammate Nuwan Liyanapathirana for the bowling crown by two wickets, highlighted by a best effort of 8-56 against Wonga Park in Round 12.
Stuart Newey Plate
Alex Ferguson, Woori-Yallock: 549 runs at 61; 12 wickets at 28.33
Played a few less matches than others (12), but that didn’t stop a charge of five half-centuries this season in topping the run-scoring. Didn’t crack the ton, but got close with 98 against Chirnside Park in Round 13. Chipped in well with the ball, too.
Joseph Blyth, Croydon Ranges: 35 wickets at 13; 338 runs at 22.8
Took three or more wickets on five occasions – including a best of 5-30 against Mt Evelyn, before following up with a best batting performance of 85 later in the season.
Steve Pascoe Shield
Ethan Weston, Heathwood: 621 runs at 56.45
Twice breezed past the ton with efforts of 173 not-out and 137 against South Croydon and Kilsyth respectively.
Cameron Storm, Montrose: 26 wickets at 17.54
Collected three wickets on four occasions, including a best of 3-21 to go with 25 maidens in 160.4 overs across 15 matches.
Pat Meehan Shield
Michael Featherston, South Warrandyte: 432 runs at 72
Only played nine matches but two tons to go with a 96-run stand told the tale of the Hawk’s season, comfortably finishing atop the run-scoring.
Christopher Denavi, Croydon Ranges: 27 wickets at 15.04
Opened the season on fire with a best of 5-15 – and ended the campaign in fine fashion with 3-28 in the grand final victory over East Ringwood.
Ian Spencer Shield
Matt Sutherland, St Andrew’s: 626 runs at 78.25
Lit up the grand final with a half-century after efforts of 190, 126, 97 and 86 spearheaded his season.
Andre Eramo, Norwood: 30 wickets at 11.40
Took no fewer than three scalps on any given match he struck – with four or more on six occasions and a best of 5-24 against Bayswater Park.
Women’s A-Grade
Rachael Harris, Wyclif: 754 runs at 188.5
Eight half-centuries and an unbeaten 111 were among a wealth of highlights making up Harris’ season, chipping in with seven wickets along the way.
Nikki Smith, St John’s Tecoma: 20 wickets at 17.15; 345 runs at 26.54
Leading wicket-taker for the women’s top-flight this season, edging out Baysie Park’s Sarah Smith, produced a best of 3-18 against the Sharks. Breezed well past 300 runs in a campaign to be proud of.
Sarah Smith, Bayswater Park: 727 runs at 80.78; 19 wickets at 12.26
The sensational Shark put up yet another stellar campaign – second overall in the run-scoring and just one shy of leading the way for wickets.
SOUTH EAST CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Longmuir Shield
Jack Munnings, East Sandringham: 729 runs, at 52, and 24 wickets, at 18
The classy opener churned out runs at a rapid rate, including 123 against Kingston Heath and an unbeaten 102 against Le Page Park. No doubt a few Vic Premier clubs will call on him.
Malin Silva, Bentleigh Uniting: 39 wickets, at 15.5, and 273 runs, at 22
Took wickets in 13 of his 14 matches to sit atop of competition. He captured 6-51 against Brighton Union in Round 14. And scored vital runs in the middle order.
Woolnough Shield
Nicholas Freeman, Hampton United: 639 runs, at 58
With two centuries, a 90 and an 83, Freeman was the big wicket in the comp as he powered to the top of the runs list.
A K V Tyrone, Bentleigh ANA: 50 wickets, at 10.2, and 266 runs, at 26
What a season! He reached the magical 50-wicket mark in his side’s grand final victory, capping a stunning finals series that saw him take 11 wickets.
Quiney Shield
Charlie Amoore, Hampton Central: 556 runs, at 39
Topped the competition’s runs list, cracking a century and two half tons and helping his side to a thrilling premiership victory.
Charlie Wilkinson, Hampton Central: 30 wickets, at 20
Grabbed multiple wickets on eight occasions and broke through at vital times. Led the competition’s wicket taking charts.
Pullen Shield
Dale Park, Mackie: 585 runs, at 53
With five half centuries and an unbeaten ton, Park stood up when it mattered to captain Mackie to a stirring grand final triumph.
Swejeeth Kumar, CUCC Kings: 32 wickets, at 13
Grabbed 6-62 in a semi-final and topped the wicket-taking charts in Pullen Shield.
VICTORIAN SUB-DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
North-West group
Peter Cassidy, Brighton, 42 wickets at 14.14
The Tonners skipper led his team to the North-South group grand final with a sensational campaign with the ball. Cassidy topped the entire Subbies competition with his 42 scalps. He took just seven wickets in the opening nine rounds but stormed home, taking 11 wickets in an outright win over Ivanhoe and seven against Plenty Valley.
Henry Cullen, Plenty Valley, 691 runs at 53.15, 18 catches
The Bats’ English import delivered in spades, topping the North-South group run-scorers charts, while also taking 18 catches behind the stumps as well as five stumpings. Cullen scored a pair of centuries and four 50s, including a high-score of 162 against Malvern, with his season total the second highest in club history.
Aaron Shellie, Coburg, 666 runs at 51.23, 25 wickets at 20.44
Another marvellous season from the Lions captain-coach, finishing second in the North-West group for runs and top-20 for wickets to be the competition’s top all-rounder. Smashed two tons and four half-centuries and took multiple wickets in nine of the last 10 games.
East-West group
Cian Dickinson, Box Hill, 481 runs at 30.06, 26 wickets at 17.31
The Mustangs’ import returned a big season with bat and ball. The Lancashire all-rounder hit 103 against Glen Waverley and four more half-centuries, while taking wickets in every match bar three with his leg-spin.
Ben Macrae, Melton, 722 runs at 72.20
The Bloods skipper was the top run-scorer in all of Subbies this season, smashing two tons and four half-centuries. He scored 154 against Endeavour Hills and 116 against Box Hill in back-to-back weeks. Started the season slowly with just 62 runs in the first four games before catching fire, scoring 61 in his next game alone. The second-highest season in Melton history.
Dan Schuppan, Spotswood, 34 wickets at 14.59
The Spotty coach starred as his club won its maiden Subbies premiership. The wily spinner claimed eight wickets in three finals to finish the campaign as the joint top wicket-taker in the East-West group. Went wicketless only twice and had multiple wickets in 13 of 17 games.
Sean Sturrock, Williamstown, 34 wickets at 14.41
Took nine wickets in Willy’s two finals to launch to the joint top of the East-West group wicket-taker charts. Started the season with a five-wicket haul against Noble Park and finished with a five-wicket haul against eventual premier Spotswood.
VICTORIAN TURF CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Senior Division
Hashan Wanasekara, Deer Park, 544 runs at 38.86
Topped the Senior Division run-scoring charts as Deer Park marched all the way to the grand final in their first season in the top flight. Didn’t score a century but did manage four half-centuries, including a match-winning 53 in an outright win to secure the Lions a semi-final spot.
Charles Thurston, Aberfeldie, 532 runs at 40.92
Topped the run-scoring charts in the home-and-away season, finishing with a flourish, scoring 91 and 96 in the final two games. The UK import scored four half-centuries for Abers to help them reach the semi-finals.
Aziz Ullah, Haig Fawkner, 35 wickets at 12.51
A dominant season for the big paceman as he topped the Senior Division wicket-taking charts. Had a purple patch where he took 31 wickets in nine matches but could only take three wickets in his final four games and went wicketless in the semi-final loss to Deer Park.
Women’s Division
Caitlin Pretty, Caroline Springs, 628 at 104.67
A dominant season to lead her club to a maiden premiership. Pretty topped the Women’s Division run-scorers charts, smashing three centuries and four half-centuries in 10 appearances to finish with an average in three figures. A spectacular finish to the season saw her score 102 not out, 51, 100, 101, 55 and 90 not out in the final six matches.
Myyen Au, Caroline Springs, 15 wickets at 7.73
Topped the wicket-taker charts in the Women’s Division, taking a season-high 4-6 against Aberfeldie. Picked up two wickets in the club’s grand final triumph.
Division 1
Ishan Peiris, Sydenham-Hillside, 884 runs at 63.14
The highest run-scorer in all the VTCA and a major weapon in Sydenham-Hillside’s continued rise up the ranks. Was almost un-get-out-able this season, scoring two centuries and nine half-centuries in 15 digs. Finished the season with a run of 106, 106, 69 and 51 as the Storm cantered to the Division 1 premiership.
Michael Pratt, West Coburg, 35 wickets at 13.34
A superb season from the Redbacks veteran as he finished top of the Division 1 wicket-taker charts. Picked up 11 wickets in an outright win over Tullamarine, taking 6-21 in the first innings and 5-42 in the second. Finished the year in style with his sixth career six-wicket haul, 6-75, against Seddon.
Kaushal Lokuarachchi, 411 runs at 29.36, 32 wickets at 12.53
Remains a premier all-rounder in the VTCA. Didn’t score as many runs as he has in past seasons but remained one of the most deadly bowlers in the competition, finishing with the second most scalps. Had a day out against Doutta Stars taking 7-26 and had five-wicket hauls against PEGS and Airport West St Christophers too.
Division 2
James Park-Johnson, Royal Park-Brunswick, 481 runs at 48.10
A dominant season with the bat saw Park-Johnson top the Division 2 run-scorers charts after the home-and-away season. Started the season strongly with 215 runs in the opening six rounds and then finished strongly with a brilliant 100 not out and 49 in the final two matches.
Isuru Okandage, St Andrews Pascoe Vale, 508 runs at 42.44
Had a brilliant season to help St Andrews reach the Division 2 grand final, scoring 66 not out in the semi-final win over Altona Roosters and 37 in the grand final. Had scores of 96 and 93 in the regular season as well as two other scores of 50-plus.
Dishnaka Manoj, Altona Roosters, 32 wickets at 12.25
A remarkably consistent season from the Roosters spearhead, taking wickets in all but one match. Took three wickets or more in six outings, including a best of 4-22 in the second innings against Kingsville to lead his team to an outright win.
Division 3
Nilan Fernando, Grand United, 554 runs at 69.25
A terrific season to help United to the Division 3 premiership. Started the season like a house on fire, scoring 54, 39, 97, 97 and 42 in his first five innings. Hit a season-high 98 against Caroline Springs and was at the crease when the winning runs were hit in the grand final, scoring 39 not out.
Max Rouvray, Point Cook, 37 wickets at 12.24
Had massive season taking 43 wickets across three competitions and led the Division 3 wicket-taking charts with 37 scalps. Took five wickets three times, against Werribee Centrals and Williamstown Imperials twice. Handy with the bat too, hitting seven scores of 30 or more.
Division 4
Salman Afridi, Moonee Valley, 658 runs at 65.80
Dominated the Division 4 competition, leading the run-scoring charts at the end of the home-and-away season before a successful finals campaign as Moonee Valley reached the grand final. Started the season with a bang, scoring 88 in Round 1 against Williamstown Congs, scored a season-high 121 against St Andrews and led his team into the decider with 85 in the semi-final win over Williamstown Colts.
Paul Hetherington, Gellibrand, 39 wickets at 11.92
Snared an impressive 39 scalps in 14 matches this season. Ultra consistent only going wicketless once. When the calendar turned to 2023, Hetherington picked up the pace, snaring 23 wickets in six matches, including a season-best 5-26 against St Andrews.
Division 5
Matthew Sanders, Burnside Springs, 514 runs at 51.40
Finished on top of the run-scoring charts, a fine achievement considering Burnside Springs didn’t make the semi-finals. Scored his maiden VTCA century, an unbeaten 103 against Sanctuary Lakes, as well as two half-centuries and a pair of 49s.
Satheesh Fernandu, East Coburg, 41 wickets at 9.46
Finished the home-and-away season with 29 wickets, ranked fourth in the competition, but dominated the finals series to lead his team to the premiership. Fernandu started strongly with 5-37 against Melton South Royals in Round 1 then destroyed the Royals again in the semi-final with 6-73 and saved his best for last taking 6-37 in the grand final victory over Footscray Angliss.
Matthew Williams, Sunshine YCW, 33 wickets at 10.97
Was the joint leading wicket-taker in Division 5 but took his wickets in one fewer game than Sameera Vithana. Went wicketless twice and captured five-wicket hauls twice, with a dazzling season-best of 6-10 against Barkley Street Uniting. Also took 5-37 and 3-7 in an outright win over Seabrook but it wasn’t enough to help YCW reach the semis.
Every in and out across Victorian Premier Cricket
From interstate stars to seasoned veterans, pen is hitting paper everywhere across Victorian Premier Cricket. Keep up to date with each move through our signing tracker.
Named: Players to watch revealed on eve of Premier Invitational
Australia’s largest football tournament is just two sleeps away, with 500 teams and over 7500 players and coaches gearing up for the nine-day-long Premier Invitational. Meet the players you must see in action, the X-factors and born leaders: