We preview every club ahead of the VSDCA North-East group season

Several title challengers have emerged ahead of the 2021-22 VSDCA North-East group season. We’ve previewed every club’s chances.

Play. It’s a word cricketers will be happy to hear this Saturday when, after months of uncertainty, they take to the field for the start of the 2021-22 season.

The Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association has fixtured all one-dayers this season and will introduce four news teams with Strathmore and Donvale to make their debuts in the North-East group.

The section promises some intense cricket with several recruits arriving from Premier Cricket, including Simon Hill, Matt Doric, Aaron Ayre and Jake Marnie.

Kew will be looking to go one better after losing last season’s North-West grand final to Werribee, while all Eastern teams will be looking to challenge for finals after just one – Box Hill – finished in the top six against the strong Southern teams.

Here’s a run-down of how the teams are shaping up.

Vihaan Narayana and Aditya Narayana in action for Balwyn. Picture: Andy Brownbill

BALWYN

Coach: Clinton Kennon

Captain: Lachlan Fitzpatrick

Last season: 12th

In: –

Out: –

Snapshot: Coach Clinton Kennon believes his young guns are ripe to improve this season. Where will the improvement come from? Kennon has earmarked the likes of batsman Luca Gambell, all-rounder Dom Greene and former Premier bat Adi Narayana to spearhead the climb. Gambell finished third in the First XI for runs last season with 238, Greene took 18 wickets at an average of 22.33 to go with 98 runs and Narayana topped the run-scoring with 250. Meanwhile, UK import and quick Harry Dixon is going around again after a leading 18 wickets at an average of 18.17 last season, while Lachlan Fitzpatrick (11 wickets at 16.73 to go with 248 runs) is set for another big campaign. There’s also excitement around emerging names Jack Lyndon, Jon Mummery and Cooper Taylor. For Kennon, the expectation is simple – “to constantly improve” – adding he’s also looking for his group to stay in games longer, and pressure from the Second XI to create more competition for spots.

BAYSWATER

Coach: Shane Gordon

Captain: John Salter Jr

Last season: 11th

In: Zac Hayes (Ringwood), Campbell Mole (Ringwood), Caleb Hrabe (Yarra Junction), Jack Livingstone (South Warrandyte), Jed Dally (returning)

Out: Paul Gloury (Donvale), Luke Saultry (Ringwood), Quinton Hodgkinson (Lilydale), Reilly Griffiths (not playing)

Snapshot: The glaring omission is opening batsman Paul Gloury, who will captain Donvale this season. That’s paired with the departure of Quinton Hodgkinson, with opening duties to be shared by leading Second XI pair Rob Sacristani (630 runs last season) and Robbie Cox (376). The Waters will also be hoping for plenty of runs out of John Salter Jr (226 last season) and classy Tim Sugumar (216), while Darcy Luke looks set to take the gloves following Griffiths’ exit. Hodgkinson isn’t the only omission from the bowling attack either, with Luke Saultry also departing. However, the Waters have recruited handily, welcoming back multiple premiership leg-spinner Zac Hayes from Premier level. He’s a likely replacement for Saultry. Fast bowler Caleb Hrabe adds further power to the attack and left-handed bat Campbell Mole should push for First XI after a horror run with injury during his time in the Premier system with Ringwood in recent seasons. The return of tall opening bowler Jed Dally will be a sure boost and Jack Livingstone will bring versatility to the batting and bowling.

Tim Sugumar in action for Bayswater.

BOX HILL

Coach: Simon Cornelius

Captain: Ryan Webster

Last season: 6th

In: –

Out: Sam Kimber (Fitzroy Doncaster), Jayden Clay (Donvale)

Snapshot: It’s been a quiet lead-up for the Mustangs, barring some big off-field moves. Simon Cornelius has stepped up as coach after Richard Armstrong took on the women’s First XI coaching role. There’s been minimal key player movement in, but leading bowler Sam Kimber is a huge departure after a breakout season which netted 28 wickets. That loss is compounded by a knee injury to experienced bowler Muhammad Saeed, who took the second-most wickets (19) last season. The saving grace of leading run-scorer Jayden Clay’s exit (he knocked 284 runs) is that the Mustangs were even among their top-scorers last season, with Tom Newman (267), Kyle Rayner (261), skipper Ryan Webster (260) and Abu Siddiqui (252). They also blooded a wealth of names, with Rayner, medium-pacer Campbell Gerney, left-handed bat Jack McLaren and bowler Moiz Khan among those who’ll benefit from the experience. Cornelius is hoping for improvement across the board, following a first-week finals exit last season. And he’s looking for finals again, seeing a lot of similarities to last season. “I think what it really comes down to is, if everyone can just improve that small incremental amount, and if we get two per cent improvement out of 11 blokes you could pick up 20-odd per cent improvement across the team. It’s all about consistency across the group,” he said.

BRUNSWICK

Coach: Karl Mayne

Captain: Liam Murphy

Last season: Third

In: Simon Hill (Camberwell Magpies), Matt Doric (Essendon), Will Lalor (Bacchus Marsh)

Out: David McKay (retired), Justin Lampard (retired), Dom Sullivan (Carlton)

Snapshot: Brunswick has farewelled two favourites sons in David McKay and Justin Lampard and sent youngster Dom Sullivan off to try his hand at Carlton. However, what has arrived could take the club to the next level. Premier Cricket’s sixth-highest run-scorer, Simon Hill, brings more than 11,000 runs of experience to Gillon Oval to bolster the-top order. Then with the ball, Matt Doric adds more than 300 Premier scalps. No one took more wickets in Premier Cricket between 2010 and 2020 than the speedy Doric. The pair join star captain Liam Murphy (568 runs, ranked fourth in the North-West group), Karl Mayne, Clint McKay, Jack Moss and team of the year paceman Louis Cameron (26 wickets at 11.73) in a stacked Brunswick line-up that is expected to contend for the premiership.

We are delighted to announce the recruitment of Aaron Ayre.

Aaron, a former Victorian and Melbourne Renegades representative, joins us from @EssendonCC where he established himself as one of the leading batsmen in @vicpremcricket.

Welcome to Coburg Aaron!@SubbiesCricketpic.twitter.com/hIA04GOHg7

— Coburg Cricket Club (@CoburgCC1856) May 9, 2021

COBURG

Coach: Aaron Shellie

Captain: Aaron Shellie

Last season: 13th

In: Aaron Ayre (Essendon)

Out: Liam Richardson (Sydenham Hillside)

Snapshot: The Lions are determined to jump out of the lower reaches of the Subbies ladder and start competing for finals again. The arrival of Aaron Ayre will go a long way to achieving that goal. Ayre brings more than 4000 Premier Cricket runs, Sheffield Shield and Big Bash League experience to Coburg City Oval. His arrival will allow the Lions batsmen to shuffle down and take some pressure off a top-order that struggled at times last season. Stewart Fletcher’s 274 runs were tops at the club last season, ranked 28th overall, with Aaron Shellie not far behind on 259 runs. Shellie was also second in wickets with 15 behind Jack Sheppard’s 18 scalps, which ranked equal 16th in the North-West group. However, the pair were the only Lions in the top 50. Finding secondary run scoring and wicket taking will be critical to Coburg’s goal.

CROYDON

Coach: Tom McQuinn

Captain: Steve Wright

Last season: 9th

In: Jake Marnie (Kingston Hawthorn)

Out: –

Snapshot: Boom recruit Jake Marnie will be a major inclusion for the Cockies, bringing 4123 career runs and more than a decade of experience at Premier level. Marnie, who’ll serve as the club’s batting coach this season, registered 441 runs last season playing for Kingston Hawthorn. Coach Tom McQuinn is optimistic the former Premier man’s experience will boost the development of the club’s youth – and there’s plenty of it – and says his influence has been positive on the group this pre-season. McQuinn points to emerging batsman Daniel Ivanovich as “one to watch to push on and go to that next level”. Ivanovich debuted in the First XI as a 17-year-old last season, topping the run-scoring with 311 at a First XI-leading average of 28.27, and is slated to fit in the middle-order this season. Meanwhile, skipper Steve Wright is also said to be tracking well, coming off 296 runs in 2020-21 to go with 10 wickets, while McQuinn (a leading 17 wickets), Hamish Paterson (15) and brother Riley (14) should give opposition batsmen more than a few headaches again. McQuinn says “mid to high table” is the aim this season.

DONVALE

Coach: Saliya Ahangama

Captain: Paul Gloury

Last season: N/A

In: Paul Gloury (Bayswater), Jayden Clay (Box Hill), Daniel Rogers (Healesville)

Out: Kaushal Silva, Dishan Sandaruwan, Sanath Ranjan (Box Hill Super Kings, BHRDCA), Surien Silva (Lyndale)

Snapshot: The eastern division’s newest club accepted an invitation to join the VSDCA after some 60 years in the ECA – and hit the ground running, signing decorated batsman Paul Gloury. He brings 6500 career runs – including 333 last season in 13 First XI appearances with Bayswater. Donvale president Warren McAlpin says Gloury has fitted in seamlessly, bringing a “positive energy to the club, is well respected and has quickly put his stamp on the group as a leader”. They’ve also signed leading Box Hill batsman Jayden Clay, who topped the Mustangs’ run-scoring last season with 284, and former Premier man Daniel Rogers. Rogers, who crosses from RDCA club Healesville, brings top-flight experience where he was an opening bowler. The club says it has “pursued a policy of recruiting local and experienced players to replace departing overseas names, and will continue the rebuild through its successful junior program”. And they’ve covered well for the loss of batting power, particularly in the top-order, with leading run-scorer Kaushal Silva and Sanath Ranjan exiting the club. Former Sri Lankan Test and ODI leg-spinner Malinga Bandara will be going around again, following a leading 28 wickets at an average of 11.83 last campaign. The Lions are the unknown quantity among the rest of the competition, but they look to have built a solid squad for their maiden Subbies season and should cause a few headaches.

Tillakaratne Dilshan, pictured with Kumar Sangakkara, will suit up for Endeavour Hills this season.

ENDEAVOUR HILLS

Coach: Tillakaratne Dilshan

Captain: Tillakaratne Dilshan

Last season: 14th (wooden spoon)

In: Tillakaratne Dilshan (Casey South Melbourne), Nav De Silva (Mulgrave), Susantha Pradeep (Buckley Ridges), Shiran Rajakaruna (Deer Park), Gayan De Silva (Deer Park), Chenutha Wickramasinghe (Mulgrave)

Out: Angus Heldt, Sohail Sadiq, Rohan Pike

Snapshot: A B-I-G inclusion for the Hills in Sri Lanka great Tillakaratne Dilshan, who is 45 but remains impressively fit. What a coup to recruit such a decorated international (87 Tests for 5492 runs, 330 ODIs, 80 T20s) and for two or three games he’ll have high-calibre company in Lahiru Thirimanne, who made two Test centuries this year and came to Melbourne recently for the birth of his second child. The Endeavour Hills’ list of newcomers also includes Susantha Pradeep, who hit a dozen Subbies centuries for Moorabbin before joining Buckley Ridges in the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) and Shiran Rajakaruna, who cracked 617 runs at 41.13 last season for Mulgrave, including an innings of 138. Then there’s wicketkeeper-batsman Nav De Silva and batsman Chenutha Wickramasinghe, also from Mulgrave, and the well-performed Gayan De Silva, who took 29 wickets for Deer Park last season. No doubt Endeavour Hills will make plenty of runs but the attack, to be headed by former captain Chris Pereira, is more steady than scintillating. Dilshan will bowl his offies craftily and tidily and lead the side shrewdly. The Hills finished on the bottom of the ladder last season. They should vault up it in 2021-22.

IVANHOE

Coach: Scott McNaughton

Captain: Simon Heather

Last season: 8th

In: Brady Robinson (Old Paradians), Skand Vohra (Coburg), James Hopkins, Tom Foster, Saad Mushtaq

Out: Sunny Fernando (Essendon), Rizwan Aqeel (Northcote)

Snapshot: The Saints can be proud of an eighth-placed finish last season, remaining in finals contention until late in the campaign. The challenge for new coach Scott McNaughton and new captain Simon Heather is taking the next step. The club has added depth to its batting ranks, critical after ranking sixth last season but will largely trust the current group to continue to blossom. Leading run-scorer Sunny Fernando has departed, in a blow, while Brad Loveluck will be unavailable until the Tasmanian border opens. Heather and new recruit recruit Brady Robinson will be the main men with the bat. Meanwhile, joint leading wicket taker Rizwan Aqeel will try his hand at Premier Cricket but Raza Rizwan remains after taking 12 scalps last season. The Saints look to be a mid-table team again in 2021-22 but with a bit of luck can push for finals.

KEW

Coach: Wayne Myers

Captain: Chris Weeks

Last season: grand finalist

In: –

Out: Will Sheridan, Alistair Burge

Snapshot: Kew will be looking to bounce back after a tough grand final loss last season, the club’s only defeat of the campaign. It will be without last season’s Subbies leading run-scorer Will Sheridan and star spinner Alistair Burge, making their task harder. However, there’s still plenty of star power at Victoria Park. VSDCA team of the year star and second overall leading run-scorer Andrew Chalkley (681 runs at 52) will likely partner Matt Brown (535 runs) at the top of the order while the likes of captain Chris Weeks and David Wildsmith will get increased opportunities. Tom Chalkley (27 wickets, third most in the North-West group), John Hastings (21, 7th) and Will Sist (20, 9th) lead a potent attack, ensuring Kew remains a premiership favourite, and look for Jack Carroll to step up to the First XI as the frontline spinner in place of Burge.

Matthew Brown in action for Kew. Picture: Steve Tanner

MOUNT WAVERLEY

Coach: Michael Sheedy

Captain: Michael Sheedy

Last season: 7th

In: Jake Rigby (Kingston Hawthorn)

Out: –

Snapshot: Captain-coach Michael Sheedy doubts there’s a better bowling attack in the North-East group. It’s hard to argue, with the return of premiership quick Jake Rigby from Premier level slotting into an already potent line-up. The two-time Mount Waverley club champion took 13 wickets last season for Kingston Hawthorn, and he’ll combine with Kurt Benjamin (a leading 20 wickets last season at an average of 18.05), Angus Robbins (12 at 18.58), Adam MacGregor (11 wickets) and Hugh Birchall (10). “The good thing is, four of them will bat in the top eight so it gives you greater flexibility to play another batter who can bowl, or play another permanent bowler,” Sheedy said. Benjamin (153 runs) and spinners Robbins (127 runs) and Nathan Pruscino (255) were handy at the crease last season, and Michael Millier (341) and Sheedy fired at the top – the skipper with a haul of 119 not out against Malvern. Sheedy also believes the squad couldn’t be better placed with its age demographic, featuring a wealth of players aged 21 to 27. They’re ripe to improve on last season’s result.

NOBLE PARK

Coach: Dale Christie

Captain: TBC

Last season: Eighth

In: Robbie Ewing (Frankston Peninsula), Achintha Rajapakse, Prabath Hewage (St Mary’s), Jasper Speas (Red Hill)

Out: Isi Perera, Nishan Weerakkody, Amal “Mikey’’ Athulathmudali, Heshan Perera

Snapshot: The experienced Dale Christie returns to Sub-District cricket, taking on the coaching role at Noble Park at a time when it has lost perhaps its greatest VSDCA player in Isi Perera and other experienced players besides. Christie guided Ormond to a brilliant, breakthrough premiership in 2014-15 but the task in his first season with the Parkers is to put games into young players like batsmen Blake Hinchliffe and Josh Crozier (the son of former coach Matt), all-rounder Neil D’Souza, opening bowler Kunj Desai and left-arm spinner Kirtan Patel. Christie sees a “pretty big talent pool of 17 to 21-year-olds” – and he’s diving in. Seasoned performer Janaka Liyanabadalge, a former Sri Lankan first-class player, joined the club 12 months ago and was an excellent contributor with 336 runs at 48 and 15 wickets. In the absence of Perera and hard-hitting Amal “Mikey” Athulathmudali, he’ll be the mainstay of the batting. Batsman Achintha Rajapakse captained St Mary’s last season in the Dandenong District and is a handy pick-up, while left-arm wrist spinner Prabath Hewage, also from St Mary’s, might cause some problems for batsmen. Christie qualified for the veteran tag long ago, but it won’t surprise if he plays some games, bowling a few overs and giving leadership to a young team.

PLENTY VALLEY

Coach: Michael Rogneda

Captain: Michael Rogneda

Last season: Fourth

In: –

Out: Rory Collins (St Bernard’s)

Snapshot: The Bats have lost leading run-scorer, opening batsman and wicketkeeper Rory Collins to north group rival St Bernard’s. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until January 29 for Collins to face his old side. However, Plenty Valley remains one of the strongest line-ups in the competition, led by reigning Holten Medallist Cal Nankervis. Nankervis posted 517 runs at 39.77 and took 20 wickets at 18.70 to top an elite field. On the field, the Bats finished fourth, going down to Werribee in a heartbreaking preliminary final loss, and will be looking to go at least one step better this season. Nankervis will again be pivotal. He’ll get plenty of support from team of the year spinner Nish Perera, captain-coach Michael Rogneda and Daniel Taylor with the ball but will need teammates to step up with the bat. Outside of Collins and Nankervis, only Perera was a top-50 run-scorer last season. Ryan Nankervis will take over behind the stumps and is one of those players the club hopes can lift with bat in hand.

Callum Nankervis with 17 votes wins his first Holten Medal.

517 runs @ 39.77 and 18 wickets @ 18.70 for @PVCCBatspic.twitter.com/0vUDnQCY0R

— Ben Higgins (@ben_higgins84) May 19, 2021

PRESTON

Coach: Luke Bramich

Captain: Michael Stretton

Last season: Fifth

In: Michael Stretton (Greenvale Kangaroos)

Out: Thimera Jayasinghe (Sri Lanka), Michael Hayes (retired)

Snapshot: The Bullants were a pleasant surprise last season, jumping from the 13th and three wins in 2019-20 to nine wins and a top-four finish. The season ended in disappointment though, bowing out in the first week following a loss to Plenty Valley combined with Werribee’s upset win over Brunswick. On a positive note, the Second XI won the premiership. It all provides a strong platform for continued growth this season. Frustratingly, leading run-scorer Thimera Jayasinghe has departed while skipper Michael Hayes has retired. Michael Stretton will take on the Preston leadership after arriving from Premier outfit Greenvale. He brings leadership experience in Victoria and NSW’s top flight competitions. Expect leading wicket-taker and joint First XI MVP Marcus Murphy to have another big campaign after 20 wickets in an outstanding first season at the club. Fellow first-year Bullant Upul Bandara was also named MVP and can win a match with bat or ball.

ST BERNARD’S

Coach: Kyle Adams

Captain: Kyle Adams

Last season: 9th

In: Kyle Adams (Greenvale Kangaroos), Rory Collins (Plenty Valley)

Out: –

Snapshot: It was a tough season for St Bernard’s after a preliminary final appearance in 2019-20. The club has looked to remedy that disappointment with the addition of former Premier Cricket all-rounder Kyle Adams and gun wicketkeeper-batsman Rory Collins. Collins was the fifth highest run-scorer in the North-West group last season, posting 552 at an average of 42.46, and instantly upgrades the Snowdogs’ top-order. Tristan Kassis was the club’ leading batsman with 324 runs at 32, including a maiden VSDCA First XI century. St Bernard’s were ranked seventh in wickets taken last season but didn’t have anyone in the competition’s top 15. Ameya Gharat’s 18 scalps ranked equal 16th, while Stephen Shields, Luke Davis and Aaron Smillie were back in 33rd on 15. Adams will add a strong first or second change bowling option. You’d think last season was an aberration and a rise up the ladder will follow this season.

STRATHMORE

Coach: Omar Phillips

Captain: John Bassi

Last season: N/A

In: Chanaka Welegedara (Buckley Ridges), Jack Condon (West Coburg)

Out: –

Snapshot: The Mores make their Subbies debut in 2021-22 but don’t expect them to be pushovers. There’s plenty of experience and talent in the line-up that has consistently been near the top of the VTCA Senior Division. Former West Indies Test batsman and coach Omar Phillips is expected to play a key role at the top of the order and former Sri Lanka Test paceman Chanaka Welegedara will spearhead the attack with his left-arm mediums. Chris Williams was the fourth highest run-scorer in VTCA Senior Division last season with 522 runs at 40.15 and snubbed Premier Cricket interest to stay loyal. Lucas Kennedy was the ninth most prolific wicket-taker with 17 scalps in Senior Division. The Mores line-up has remained consistent since winning the Senior Division premiership in 2019-20 and finishing third last season in the VTCA’s top flight.