Young talent time: 25 leading players from the John Craig Shield

Grand final players Oliver Peake and Harry DeMattia were two of the stand-outs at the annual Sub-District carnival.

Leading players in the John Craig Shield: Under 15 Shield: Archit Bhatia, Oliver Peake and Harry DeMattia.

A batsman surged past 500 runs, a bowler snaffled 15 wickets, a wicketkeeper did everything bar serve afternoon tea ... here are 25 leading players from the Subbies John Craig Shield series that finished on Sunday with another premiership for Ormond.

Oliver Peake, Plenty Valley: the little left-hander was the north group player of the series after totting up a competition-record 548 runs at an average of 91.3. Peake is from Geelong and the son of former Victorian batsman Clinton Peake, and took up an invitation from Bats captain Brayon O’Connor to play in the Shield. As he did, he was a bottom-age player; in other words, he can play again next season. Peake hit centuries against Ivanhoe (114) and Kew (106no) and had three scores in the 80s. PV coach Gary Bell called him an outstanding prospect. “What I will say is, he’s a brilliant young cricketer but he’s an even better person, a very mature young man, very inclusive of the whole team, a very team-orientated player,’’ he said. “As for his cricket, he’s got a lot of shots. His knowledge of the game is outstanding. If we bowl first he’ll read the pitch while we’re out there fielding and he’ll bat accordingly. And I don’t think I’ve seen a better fieldsman at junior level. He’s a freak in the field. But I want to emphasise that bit about him being a quality kid. So humble. Legend of a kid.’’

Oliver Peake of Plenty Valley.

Harry DeMattia, Ormond: put together scores of 72, 5, 62no, 64no, 61, 66 and 64 (his final innings coming in the grand final victory over Plenty Valley) to weigh in with 394 runs at 78.8. He’s a strong, technically pleasing right-hander and regarded as one of the state’s best under-age prospects, as evidenced by the fact that CV included him in last week’s Under 17 series as an Under 15 player. Was judged the south group player of the Shield.

Harry DeMattia of Ormond.

Aryan Sharma, Plenty Valley: the stylish right-hander hit 298 runs at 49.66, with four half-centuries and a highest score of 76, against Preston. Sadly for the Bats he was run out for six in the grand final. Happily for the Bats, he’s already playing in their Second XI in Subbies.

Moe Spencer, Brighton: topped the Tonners’ run list with 222 runs at 44.4, his best innings of 84 coming against Oakleigh. Is playing Second XI Sub-District and Under 16 cricket for Brighton this season. Is with Prahran for the Premier Under 16 series.

Max Walker, Brighton: only had five hits but was not out in two of them, had two scores over 60 and got his 182 runs at an average of 60.7. Plays junior and senior cricket at Aspendale.

Xavier Tapsell, Oakleigh: the East Malvern product put up 176 runs at 58.7 for the Oaks, including an unbeaten 58 against the strong Ormond attack.

Tige Ridley, Bayswater: the wicketkeeper batsman from Ainslie Park opened the series with a hand of 110 off 101 deliveries against Mt Waverley. It was the launching pad for him to top the east group run list with 292 runs at 58.4.

Jamie Shepherd, Croydon: had a fine series with 251 runs at 50.2, highlighted by his 116 against Endeavour Hills. Is also playing in the Victorian Premier Cricket Under 16 series for Fitzroy-Doncaster. A highly regarded young cricketer at North Balwyn.

Gishain Fernando, Mt Waverley: one of the three players judged player of the east group after his haul of 241 runs at 48.2. In Richmond’s squad for the Premier Cricket Under 16 series and plays juniors for Dandenong District association powerhouse Buckley Ridges.

Charlie Grummitt, Balwyn: with Gishain Fernando and Paawan Dave shared the east group player-of-the-series accolade after his 200 runs at 40. Coming through the ranks at Boroondara.

Paawan Dave, Croydon: made his 156 runs at an average of 52 and bowled eight overs tightly and tidily in three matches. In senior and junior teams at Templeton this season.

Agamjot Sandhu, Williamstown: led Willy into the quarter-finals with a group-high 233 runs at 46.6, but unfortunately was run out for a duck against eventual grand finalist Plenty Valley. Batted through the innings against Taylors Lakes for 96 not out off 110 balls in Round 8. Developing his cricket at Sydneham/Hillside.

Bibek Virk, Hoppers Crossing: distinguished himself with a century of 102 in the final-round tie against Altona, and ended the series with 207 runs at 34.5.

Aaron Horsburgh, Altona: finished the Shield carnival with hands of 94 not out against Yarraville and 68 against Hoppers Crossing to come in third on the west group run list with 191 at 47.8.

Archit Bhatia with the great John Craig.

Archit Bhatia, Werribee: took the west group player-of-the-series award for his 177 runs at 43.3 and 11 wickets at 6.6, his best of 5-27 ensuring a close victory over Hoppers Crossing. Played for Premier club Essendon in the Fourth XI on Saturday and made 36. He’s also attached to the Bombers’ Under 16 team.

Daniel Gilham, St Bernard’s: led allcomers on the wickets list with 15 at an average of eight, with a best of 4-19 against semi-finalist Coburg.

Flynn Magrath, Brunswick: played six matches and jagged 13 wickets at only 4.2 and holding an economy rate of 1.7. Has played all his juniors with the Wicks and is regarded as a terrific prospect.

Ankit Kakanoor, Taylors Lakes: shows ability with the bat – he made a half-century – and with the ball, which he used to capture 10 wickets at 10.2, consistency his calling card.

Harrison Smith, Plenty Valley: had a cracking carnival for the Bats, leading its pace bowling with 12 wickets at 7.8. PV coach Gary Bell thought him one of the finds of the series.

Promising leggie William Waters of Plenty Valley.

William Waters, Plenty Valley: seven wickets in the finals series took the leg-spinner to 14 for the carnival. Kept his nerve and his accuracy when Ormond’s batsmen were getting a shake-on in the grand final.

Josh Pace, Coburg: contrary to his surname, he bowls off-spin, and tidily. Wound up with 10 wickets at 11.4.

Ashwin Appu, Malvern: took the new ball for the Roosters and took 10 wickets with his left-arm pace. His brother Laxman bowls leggies and snaffled nine wickets, and both boys impressed the legendary Peter Bedford.

Storan Spencer, Box Hill: a haul of 5-20 off eight overs against Croydon elevated him to the top of wicket list with 10 at 10.5. Played in the CV Youth Premier League Under 14 Super Series last season.

Senin Seymour, Ormond: the emerging leg-spinner picked up 11 wickets for the Monders, including two in the grand final. Was in the headlines earlier in the season when he took 5-0 for Ormond in the Subbies Fourth XI.

Braydon O’Connor, Plenty Valley: had a busy carnival and is a busy cricketer. He captained the Bats, had six catches and six stumpings as a keeper, and hit 172 runs in the middle-order. He’s a player to track.

AND ONE MORE KEEPER

Mitch Kirkwood-Smith, Ormond: kept well for the Shield premier, to a pace attack led by outstanding young left-armer Christian Howe and the spinners, and as an attacking opening batsman cracked 213 runs at 26.6.

Mitch Kirkwood-Scott of Ormond.