We pick our Premier Cricket Team of the Week from the T20 triple-header

Premier Cricket returned from the Christmas break with an action-packed T20 triple-header. Check out the top performers including a pair of centurions.

Edward Newman in action for St Kilda. Picture: Hamish Blair

Victorian Premier Cricket returned from the Christmas break with a second round of T20 triple-headers.

A host of players put their hands up for selection in our combined Team of the Week.

While not everyone is happy with the format or the number of points on offer, there were plenty of runs and wickets across an action packed day.

A pair of centurions led our batting, while a potential star of the future and Under-19 World Cup selection is the pick of the bowlers.

Check out the team below and have your say.

1. MATT CALDER (Casey-South Melbourne)

The Swans’ recruit wasted no time in making an impression on the competition with a 54-ball 103 not out against Ringwood before 64 from 51 against Frankston Peninsula.

2. JAMES SEYMOUR (Essendon)

The star opener finished the weekend among the leading run-scorers across the three T20 matches, posting 55 in Essendon’s loss to St Kilda and 37 in a loss to Dandenong. Seymour showed off his hitting ability with six boundaries and a pair of sixes in his 37-ball knock against the Saints and then five fours and a six in a 31-ball stay against the Panthers. Also took a couple of wickets – 1-32, bowling Nic Maddinson and 2-20.

3. ETHAN BROOKES (Prahran)

Prahran’s No.3 was in a hurry in the True Blues’ second game against Footscray, belting an eye-opening 146 from only 71 balls. He hit the ball to the fence nine times and over it 12 times. Brookes has passed 26 only twice this season, but when he has, he’s made two tons.

1️⃣4️⃣6️⃣ What an innings from @ethanbrookes_ , 146 off 71 balls (9 fours- 12 sixes) to set up a 66 run win for the True Blues in their 2nd T20 match on Saturday. At the crease for all but 7 balls of the innings, this was a welcome return to form and his 2nd ton of the season. 👌 pic.twitter.com/eo2iEp5jdZ

— Prahran Cricket Club (@prahrancc) January 8, 2024

4. TRAVIS DEAN (Footscray)

The Bulldogs skipper led the way as Footscray steamrolled Kingston Hawthorn in the first match, posting an unbeaten 40 from 36 balls. Then played a lone hand in the loss to a Ethan Brookes-inspired Prahran in the second match, scoring a team-high 54 from 36 balls.

5. ED NEWMAN (St Kilda)

Back-to-back half-centuries rightfully earns Newman a spot in the Team of the Week. He crunched 64 not out from 44 balls against Essendon and 74 from 37 against his old side Dandenong in two strong wins. He won both games for the Saints after going to the crease at 3-47 and 3-46.

6. DEVIN POLLOCK (Casey-South Melbourne) (WK)

Started the day with eight runs but finished strong with a half century and took a catch and made a stumping in both games as Casey-South Melbourne made a perfect return from the Christmas break. Scored 55 from 40 balls, hitting two boundaries and a trio of sixes, against Frankston Peninsula in the day’s third game. Showed off his glove work by stumping Ringwood’s Adam Amin and Heat star Brodie Symons.

Xavier Crone in action for Carlton. Picture: Andy Brownbill

7. XAVIER CRONE (Carlton)

Had a solid start to the day, taking 2-16 from 3.1 overs as Carlton proved too good for Geelong. Crone had Arjun Sehrawat caught by Nick Ross and did it all himself to remove Aaron Beard caught and bowled. Saved his best for last, ripping through Northcote to snare 4-8 from three overs. Sam Harbinson and Brody Couch fell for golden ducks, while Mark Phelan and Aaron Crispe were his other victims.

8. MICHAEL ARCHER (Carlton)

The Blues’ leg-spinner took five wickets off six overs for the day with 3-13 and 2-21. He bowled two spells in both matches where he took an early wicket before returning to finish the job.

9. BRENDAN ROSE (Richmond)

Rose also took five wickets across both matches on Saturday after capturing 3-15 and 2-21. The right-armer is becoming a regular in this side having taken 27 wickets at 11 this summer.

10. COREY PERRETT (Northcote)

A New Zealand indoor cricket international and sports biomechanist – so we’re jealous. Stepped up to the First XI for the weekend’s matches and didn’t disappoint, taking 3-11 to help skittle Geelong for just 74 and backing it up with 2-21 against Carlton. Pips just Dragons teammate Brody Couch who also finished with five scalps on the day.

11. HARKIRAT BAJWA (Melbourne)

The promising offie was crucial in Melbourne’s undefeated afternoon with 4-20 against Fitzroy Doncaster before 3-17 against Camberwell Magpies. The haul will be a good confidence boost ahead of the Under-19 World Cup.

12. ZACH ELLIOTT (Fitzroy Doncaster)

The young gun’s turnaround from golden duck in game one to a match-winning half-century in game two secures 12th man duties. Fresh off an impressive Big Bash debut, Melbourne’s Fergus O’Neill was too good first ball but the Lions opener responded beautifully. Elliott plundered 72 not out from just 59 balls – hitting seven boundaries and a pair of sixes – to help his team chase down Camberwell and secure a much-needed win.