Who makes the cut in the Round 13 Premier Cricket Team of the Week
Cold weather couldn’t stop a number of hot performances across Premier Cricket. See who makes the cut in our Round 13 Team of the Week.
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For the first time in three years Premier Cricket played a two-day game across two weekends.
It was a welcome return to a traditional format and the weather gods played their usual tricks.
After a fine day one on January 28, we were met with a rain-soaked and cold Saturday for the second day.
However, every game was still completed.
We saw some terrific performances with arguably none better than Frankston Peninsula skipper James Nanopoulos who continues to grow his legacy.
We’ve brought the best performers together, see who made the cut below.
1. BRETT FORSYTH (Dandenong)
Forsyth’s 97 – his fifth score above fifty for the summer – came at a crucial time for Dandenong, as it held Melbourne University from a much-needed victory. If it wasn’t for a Fawad Ahmed peach from around the wicket, he was well on his way to another trademark ton.
2. BLAKE THOMSON (Melbourne)
A 90 off 209 deliveries featuring 10 fours was another display of batting excellence from Blake Thompson on Saturday. His score, opening the batting, steered his side over the line with ease against Essendon as they chased down their total of 152 three wickets down. Thomson now has 563 runs for the season, the third most in the competition.
3. HARRY SMYTH (Carlton)
The Blues No.3 made an unbeaten 74 to steer his side to victory, going past 600 runs for a second straight season in the process. He’s up to 617 runs, at 68.
4. TOM ROGERS (Ringwood)
Sailed past 500 runs for the season in his side’s clash with the Camberwell Magpies, putting on 94 off 88 deliveries including three sixes. Averaging 67.38 with the bat this season and sits among the leading run-scorers with 539, despite missing a handful of matches.
5. HARRISH KANNAN (Casey-South Melbourne)
After entering at 2-22 and losing Ashley Chandrasighe shortly after, Kannan dug the Swans out of trouble once again. His unbeaten 90 was just 10 runs shy of back-to-back centuries, but was a knock that has kept the Swans’ season alive
6. JAMES NANOPOULOS (Frankston Peninsula)
The Heat skipper could barely have had a better game against Kingston Hawthorn. Bowled beautifully to take 2-37 off 18.2 overs and then made a superb unbeaten 101 to steer Frankston to victory, after going in at 3-11, chasing 159. It was the champion’s second Premier century, in his 263rd game.
7. NOAH CROES (Melbourne University)
The Uni gloveman would have to be in the conversation for Premier Cricket Team of the Year honours after another outstanding day with the bat. Croes top-scored with a season-high 70 as the Students posted 7-345 in their clash against Dandenong and now sits third among University run-scorers this season with 268. The team couldn’t get the job done with the ball though as the Panthers drew the match at 6-203.
8. SAM ELLIOTT (Fitzroy Doncaster)
A half-century for the all-rounder in his side’s victory over Geelong to keep the Lions’ finals hopes alive. Belted 56 runs off 95 balls, but also took 2-44 off 15.1 overs to go with a catch. Elliott has 210 runs for the season and 14 wickets at an average of 27.1.
9. CAM STEVENSON (Carlton)
The fast bowler took a season best 6-43 against St Kilda featuring the important wickets of Jonathan Merlo and Adam Crosthwaite to bowl the opposition out for 105. Stevenson bowled a total of 15.2 overs including six maidens. He also contributed with a handy 24 batting at number nine to get his side to a total 9d-184. Stevenson now has 15 wickets for the season from eight matches.
10. JOSH BARTLETT (St Kilda)
The Saints were always up against it after posting just 105 in the first innings against Carlton. However, that didn’t stop Bartlett from having an outstanding day with the ball. The St Kilda quick gave his team a sniff when he removed Mackenzie Harvey for a duck and securing his first five-wicket haul since 2018 earns him a spot in our Team of the Week.
11. JON HOLLAND (Frankston Peninsula)
Gee, wouldn’t the Heat love to have “Dutchy” every week. The former Test spinner delivered another match-winning spell for his home club, taking 4-49 off 29 overs, including 10 maidens.
12. LUKE SHELTON (Casey-South Melbourne)
A quick-fire 44 not out at the back-end of the innings before claiming 3-44 from 17 overs with the ball.
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