Who are the key players for each club in VTCA semi-final contention
The run-machines and wicket-takers who can win matches with spectacular performances. We name the key players for every VTCA club in semi-final contention.
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They’re the stars that can decide matches single-handedly.
Run-machines, wicket-smashers or a bit of both.
With just two rounds remaining in the VTCA season, we’ve picked out the players set to have the biggest influence on their team’s semi-final hopes.
Check out all the names from the Senior Division down to Division 5.
SENIOR DIVISION
Geeth Alwis (Westmeadows)
One of the premier all-rounders in Senior Division. If Westmeadows are to make an charge into the top-four, Alwis will likely have played a key role. Ranked 26th for runs (238) and 24th for wickets (12) this season.
Matthew Gaskett (Keilor)
The Paxino Medallist is as reliable as the day is long. Ranked sixth in the competition with 21 wickets, at an average of 23.19, Gaskett has only been wicketless in two Senior Division matches this season.
Keon Harding (Deer Park)
The West Indian import has made a splash since arriving mid-season and played some important matches with bat and ball. Can be the Lions wildcard behind the likes of Sartori, Wanasekara and Russ with the bat and Malook and Suvada with the ball.
Mitch Johnstone (Yarraville Club)
The Clubbers’ premiership captain leads from the front and will undoubtedly play a key role in the club’s back-to-back quest. Ranked fourth in the competition for wickets with 23 scalps, while he has played some critical knocks with the bat this season too.
Nils Priestley (St Albans)
Started the season like a house on fire but has been quiet since the Christmas break. Since scoring a brilliant 160 in November, the Englishman hasn’t topped 21 runs in an innings since – a run of eight matches.
Charlie Thurston (Aberfeldie)
After a super debut season at Clifton Park, which saw him score 532 runs at 40.92, the English run-machine has been a little down so far this season. Thurston has 289 runs at 41.29 and Abers will be hoping he can step up another level in the run home.
Gayashan Weerasekara (Sydenham-Hillside)
The Storm star is ranked 12th in Senior Division with 314 runs for the season at an average of 62.8. After a lean run on either side of the new year break, he has rediscovered his form and has 149 runs in his last three matches.
DIVISION 1
Salman Afridi (Haig Fawkner)
Has enjoyed a fine season with the bat and ball. Afridi has scored 465 runs for the season and also taken 13 wickets.
Avishka Chenuka (Sunshine)
The leading run-scorer in the competition this season with 500 runs to his name at 62.5. Has proven he can go big with three centuries.
Shakeem Clarke (PEGS)
The most damaging bowler in the competition this season. Clarke has given opposition batters plenty to think about with 23 scalps.
Ben Harding (St Francis de Sales)
One of the key reasons why his side remains alive in the finals hunt. Harding has over 200 runs to his name and has also taken 12 wickets.
Daniel Salpietro (Airport West St Christophers)
Enjoying some sort of season. The Eagles star has scored almost 400 runs while taking 15 wickets.
DIVISION 2
Leniko Boucher (Grand United)
A key member of Grand’s undefeated squad. Boucher leads Division 2’s run-scorers charts with 496 runs at an average of 62. Has one hundred this season and six half-centuries. If he can turn those starts into big scores then his team is on track for another premiership.
Tharanga Indika (Altona Roosters)
Started the season poorly but has found improved form since Christmas, scoring 140 runs in his past four matches. It seen Indika jump up to 16th on the competition’s run-scoring charts with 224. Will need to step up again if the Roosters are to challenge for the flag.
Trent Jones (West Newport)
Leads West in runs and is second for wickets, underlining his importance to the club. Jones has 245 runs at 35 this season, ranked eighth in the competition, while he’s taken 15 wickets – good enough for 13th overall.
Matthew Kent (Greenvale Kangaroos)
Has been a force for Greenvale through some difficult years and now has the opportunity to see the club rise again. Has 15 wickets this season at 14.13, ranked 13th in the competition, and while he’s dropped down the batting order Kent remains a consistent performer.
James Muirhead (Newport-Digman)
The Australia T20 international spinner will have a big say in his club’s finals ambitions. One of the competition’s leading all-rounders, ranked 18th for runs (208) and 16th for wickets (15).
Ben Wright (Tullamarine)
The English import is having a fine season, sitting in the competition’s top-five for runs (279) as well as top-20 for wickets (14). With two rounds remaining, Tulla has fallen out of the top-four but Wright will play a key role if they do jump back in and play finals.
DIVISION 3
Tom Burton (Williamstown Imperials)
Burton has enjoyed a fine season with bat and ball. He’s scored 419 runs at 52.38 and taken 15 wickets.
Anthony De Zilva (Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s)
His form has simply been ridiculous this season. The spinner has taken a whopping 59 wickets at just 7.8 for the season. He’s also handy with the bat scoring 142 at 28.4 in seven digs.
Krishan Kumar (Point Cook)
A player capable of winning the game with both bat and ball. Has consistently scored runs in his five appearances and already has 19 wickets.
Jarrod Milczak (Pascoe Vale Hadfield)
One of the standouts for his side this season with over 300 runs and 21 wickets.
Shiran Rajakaruna (Caroline Springs)
One of the Picone Shield’s best all-rounders all season. He has scored over 400 runs and taken 26 wickets – the third most in the competition.
DIVISION 4
Paul Hetherington (Gellibrand)
Doing it all for Gellibrand this season. Hetherington sits on top of the Division 4 wicket-taking charts with 25 scalps, at a 15.16 clip. A danger whenever he has ball in hand but also more than handy with the bat as evidenced by ranking 19th in runs with 195 at 32.5.
Ruwan Jayaweera (Moonee Valley)
Leading the Valley’s bowling attack with 24 wickets at an average of 11.79, ranked third in Division 4. While not reliable upon regularly, Jayaweera can also handle the stick and has one half-century to his name this season.
Feroze Khushi (Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows)
The Englishman leads Division 4 in runs, scoring a mammoth 634 at an average of 158.5. Has a high-score of 250 against Bellbridge to go with two other tons and four half-centuries. The run-machine has also played a key role in the club’s charge to a T20 semi-final.
Daniel Nightingale (Footscray Angliss)
Consistently produces big runs and this season is no exception with 363 at 51.86 flowing from his bat. It sees Nightingale ranked third in the competition for runs but he’ll have to take it to another level if Angliss is to jump from sixth into a semi-final.
Ashen Perera (Point Cook Centrals)
The Centrals all-rounder will be pivotal to the club holding onto a semi-final spot. Perera leads the club in wickets, with 19 at 13.32.
Daniel Spencer (Bellbridge)
Won the Division 5 league medal in 2020-21 but has struggled this season, scoring 245 runs at an average of 35. If Spencer can rediscover his best form then Bellbridge is a big chance to jump into the top-four.
DIVISION 5
Zac Bateman (Moonee Ponds)
An outstanding all-rounder who has proven he can win the game with bat or ball.
Shehan Hirudhika (Barkly Street Uniting)
A consistent run-scorer for his side throughout the season.
Matthew Leach (Williamstown Congs)
A key performer with the bat and ball. He has nearly 350 runs and 16 scalps.
Amila Mendis (Seabrook)
The leading wicket-taker in the Russell Pollock Shield with 37 for the season.
Mathew Sanders (Burnside Springs United)
A dominant season must have him in contention for the league medal. Sanders has scored over 300 runs and taken 35 wickets.
Heshan Umendra (Sunshine YCW)
A dominant campaign thus far. Umendra has scored almost 300 runs and taken 28 wickets.
Gurwant Virk (Donnybrook)
The leading run-scorer for the ladder-leader so far this season.
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