Who will be stars of the future as Premier Cricket clubs announce under-16 squads
Premier Cricket club St Kilda will not compete in this season’s elite under-16 competition but here’s every other “Dowling Shield” squad.
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Powerhouse club St Kilda has opted out of the Victorian Premier Cricket Under-16 series that starts this Sunday.
The Saints had been bracketed with Northcote, Ringwood, Camberwell Magpies, Fitzroy-Doncaster and Prahran in the “central’’ group and their absence will create a bye.
There will be five rounds of what is effectively an exhibition series.
SEE EVERY CLUB’S UNDER-16 SQUAD AND THE PLAYERS TO WATCH BELOW
There will be no ladders and no finals series.
Still, some clubs are regarding it as a throwback to the old Dowling Shield Under-16 competition and are announcing their “Dowling teams’’.
St Kilda president Paul Ryan said his club chose not to participate because of COVID-19.
At the time the series was announced the pandemic was placing restrictions on cricket and burdens on volunteers, he said.
“It was largely around the enormous demand on our resources, particularly our volunteers,’’ Ryan said.
“We were concerned about our ability to managed the competition in the way it needed to be.
“It really was about resources. That was our issue in what has been a very tough year for the whole club.
“There was certainly nothing political in our motives. It was just the right call for us.’’
There are some notable names in the squads announced by clubs.
Dandenong has selected Jarvis Harvey, a 14-year-old all-rounder from Wonthaggi. He is the nephew of former Panther and Australian ODI all-rounder Ian Harvey.
Casey South Melbourne listed leg-spinner Tom Wrigglesworth, the son of former Victorian all-rounder and Premier Cricket Ryder Medal champion Ian Wrigglesworth.
Kingston Hawthorn has selected 11 players from the South East Cricket Association as they develop strong ties with the local competition. “We are looking to enjoy the fixture and see some young talent on show, challenging themselves against the best youth cricketers in the state,’’ First XI coach Peter Marshall said.
Kyle Parrott is expected to lead Frankston Peninsula’s batting. He grabbed headlines last season with an innings of 198 for South East Country in the YPL Under-14 series, and is now playing for Langwarrin’s First XI.
Look out for young Melbourne all-rounder Oscar Brown after his finished top-10 in runs and wickets in last year’s JG Craig Shield north group, while in the south group, bowler Harkirat Bajwa claimed 13 wickets – second most.
There’s another Parker charging through the ranks at Richmond. Max Parker, brother of Victoria spinner Wil, will head the Tigers’ under-16 charge after scoring 307 runs at an average of 153 in last year’s JG Craig Shield east group. The Tigers have included players from the small Gippsland towns of Bundalagah and Boisdale.
Northcote’s squad has a family feel about it with Bacchus Marsh trio Sam, Will and Archie Lalor all selected. The Dragons already have Jack and Dan Lalor in their First XI.
Fitzroy Doncaster have selected Reagan Wilkins who claimed the second most wickets in the VSDCA JG Craig Shield east group last season
Caleb Candappa will captain Prahran after impressing in last season’s VSDCA JG Craig Shield, where he scored the fourth most runs in the south group. The young batsman made his Subbies First XI debut this season for Moorabbin.
Zac Grech was the second leading run-scorer in the VSDCA JG Craig Shield’s south group last season, while Govind Nadini was the No.1 wicket-taker, and both will hope to replicate that form for Ringwood’s under-16s.
Camberwell Magpies have gone local except for Wangaratta Magpies young bowler James Thewlis, who has five wickets at 15.60 in the Wangaratta District top grade this season
Lucas Cavigan, nephew of Essendon First XI coach Ash Cavigan, has made the cut in the Bombers squad. The team will be captained by Kane Scott who is already playing First Grade for Wodonga Raiders in the Cricket Albury-Wodonga competition.
Scott’s Raiders teammate Liam Noonan has been included in the Greenvale Kangaroos’ squad after breaking through for his first First Grade match of the season last weekend.
After making his Subbies First XI debut for Plenty Valley this season, Jack Atkinson has scored a place in Carlton’s squad. The Blues will hope their Bendigo connection can help find the next Brayden Stepien with six players from the region in the squad.
Footscray already have Dylan Brasher in the First XI, now Aiden Brasher has earned a place in the under-16 squad. Brothers Aiman and Aayan Nadeem will hope to make twin impacts as both already have more than 400 runs at under-15 level this season.
Already established in GCA outfit South Barwon’s First XI – Cats Premier First XI skipper Eamonn Vine’s club – keep an eye out for all-rounder Oliver Peake and wicketkeeper
Henry Melville when Geelong take the field
There’s another Hatzoglou in the Melbourne University system. With Peter grabbing headlines in the Big Bash, Alex Hatzoglou has earned a place in the Students’ under-16 squad
The competition runs for five weeks, kicking off on Sunday.
ROUND 1
WEST
Footscray v Carlton @ Merv Hughes Oval
Geelong v Greenvale Kangaroos @ Geelong Cricket Ground
Essendon v Melbourne University @ Windy Hill
CENTRAL
Ringwood v Prahran @ Russell Lucas Oval
Camberwell Magpies v Fitzroy Doncaster @ Camberwell Sports Ground
Northcote v BYE
SOUTH EAST
Dandenong v Kingston Hawthorn @ Shepley Oval
Casey-South Melbourne v Melbourne @ Casey Fields No.4
Richmond v Frankston Peninsula @ Central Reserve North
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