We pick our Team of the Week from a bumper weekend of Premier Cricket
A spread of prolific performances in Saturday’s action of Premier Cricket has 10 clubs featuring in our Team of the Week. See who made the cut here.
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The stars of the competition are separating themselves from the rest as the Premier Cricket season nears the pointy end.
A pair of centurions stand at the top of the order while a host of all-rounders put in solid performances.
Here is our round 14 Premier Cricket Team of the Week.
1. DYLAN BRASHER, Footscray
The star opener scored his third century of the Premier Cricket season to propel the Bulldogs to victory over Fitzroy Doncaster in a rain-shortened match. Brasher finished 106 not out from just 93 balls, hitting nine boundaries and a trio of sixes. The young gun is now up to 562 runs on the year at an average of 70 - second only to Blake Thomson on the competition’s run-scoring charts.
2. SAM HARBINSON, Northcote
A maiden Premier Cricket hundred for the Dragons opener. A bowler for much of his career, injuries during his time in Tasmania saw Harbinson turn his attention to batting and post two tons for University of Tasmania. He’s returned to Bill Lawry Oval this season and was dominant on Saturday against Melbourne University, scoring 102 from 108 balls - hitting 11 boundaries and four sixes.
3. LIAM BANTHORPE, Fitzroy Doncaster
A timely return to form for the Lions’ wicketkeeper who has been below his best this season. Banthorpe hit his first half-century of the season with 80 off 83 in his side’s loss to Footscray in an innings which included four boundaries and a six.
4. RHYS HEALY, Richmond
Making 62 not out - his second half-century of the season - former ACT batter Healy guided the Tigers to victory over Essendon. His 90-ball stay included eight boundaries and was underpinned by a calmness as wickets fell around him.
5. IAN HOLLAND, Ringwood
Holland almost pulled his Rams to victory with a typical all-round performance. Holland claimed 4-25 with the ball before 44 with the bat in Ringwood’s loss to Geelong.
6. JOSH McDONALD, Geelong
Came in with his side at 4-33 and produced an important knock with 76 off 91 to help produce what turned out to be a match winning innings. The performance was the best of McDonald’s season with a previous high of 33 against Kingston Hawthorn.
7. TOM RUSS, St Kilda
The St Kilda all-rounder had a day out against Greenvale Kangaroos, taking 3-24 from 9.2 in the first innings before crunching 65no in the second innings. He made 65 of the Saints’ 99 runs after taking three of their 10 wickets.
8. DAVID MOODY, Melbourne
The former WA paceman grabbed a wicket in his first over and finished with 4-31 off eight overs in the Demons win over Dandenong. It was Moody’s second spell that was most fruitful; he claimed three wickets to take the steam out of Dandy’s run chase.
9. DAANISH MEHTA, Geelong
Cleaned up the tail with special figures of 3-8 as Geelong sparked a major Ringwood collapse to claim victory. It was the spinner’s best performance since the opening round of the season.
10. NICK BOLAND, Prahran
A key factor in the True Blues’ Duckworth-Lewis victory over Camberwell Magpies on Saturday with three critical wickets. Boland finished with match-best figures of 3-25, removing top-order Magpies Coby Edmonstone, Liam Fitzpatrick and captain Shorye Chopra. The performance is his best of the season and takes the quick to 18 wickets and an average of 16.83 - joint 11th overall.
11. ZAK EVANS, St Kilda
After missing a lot of cricket last season because of a shoulder injury, the right-armer gave a forceful reminder of his ability, taking 3-11 off eight overs to help dismantle Greenvale Kangaroos for 98. Evans is up to 20 wickets, at 20, this season.
12. CONNOR RUTLAND, Carlton
Rutland continued his strong season with a guiding 59 in Carlton’s win over Casey South Melbourne. The emerging star has made three half-centuries – as well as a 47 – and a ton this summer.
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