By Nick Creely
BUCKLEY Ridges has pulled off an incredible recruiting coup; signing former Australian and Victorian batsman David Hussey for the DDCA Twenty20 tournament.
The 39-year old is the current captain of the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, boasting an immense record that has taken him all over the globe.
In a first-class record lasting 15 years, Hussey represented Australia in 69 ODIs and 39 T20Is, and has made an international century.
The all-rounder’s most famous knock was a mind-boggling 88 not out off 44 balls against South Africa in 2009 – a pace attack featuring the legendary Dale Steyn and the likes of Albie Morkel and Wayne Parnell.
Hussey is one of the most distinguished T20 players in the history of the game and has played over 250 matches in this format in a range of competitions such as the IPL, English T20 and BBL.
He will now take his game to Pultney Street, where he is expected to play a major part in Buckley’s pursuit of the T20 title.
DDCA Secretary Ray Nicholls says that the signing of Hussey is going to do wonders for the competition.
“It’s going to be an exciting for our local competition,” he said.
“Huss won’t muck around I wouldn’t have thought.
“We actually had Dave as our speaker at last year’s Alan Wookey Medal Night and he was quite well received.
“Buckley Ridges have had some massive signings this year and Dave just adds star-power to that.
“I’m sure that alone will attract a lot of people to the games – and they actually play Springvale South first up, so I hope Hussey is available because it’s going to be exciting.”
In other DDCA recruiting news, Dandenong opening batsman Brett Forsyth will also once again play with Springvale South in this year’s T20 competition as its marquee player.
Springvale South will be looking for a three-peat in the Twenty20 competition, after winning the title for the last two years.
The 27-year old opening batsman, who is a former junior player at Springvale South, as well as a Victorian second XI representative, is a massive signing for the Bloods and will ensure they remain the heavy favourites to win it again.
Forsyth has played 19 Twenty20 games as the Bloods’ marquee signing, averaging 59.35 since first featuring in the competition in 2011/12.
He has played 139 games for Dandenong in the Victorian Premier competition, amassing 11 centuries, including a brilliant 100 not-out during the 2008/09 T20 series semi-final.
During the champion batsman’s junior days, he won a club champion award with the Bloods.
Springvale South secretary Tony Cooper is excited by the prospect of the star batsman returning to the club.
“Brett brings great experience and leadership for our developing players,” he said.
“His class with the bat is a key reason that we have had success in this format.
“We expect to again be hard to beat with Brett’s leadership.”
Narre South has also signed Casey-South Melbourne captain Lachlan Sperling as its marquee player this year.
The middle-order batsman, who is a clean striker of the ball, will be available for every match this T20 tournament.
The Annual DDCA Twenty20 competition is set to kick off on 19 October, with 20 clubs across four divisions set too battle it out.
Other clubs participating in this year’s competition are busy behind the scenes, looking for marquee players to sign and draw big crowds.
There is speculation that Brad Hodge, who has played in the tournament before, may feature at a club at some stage in this year’s T20 series, while there is another rumour that a former West Indian cricketer may take part.
Prize money in this year’s competition will be $2000, which includes $1000 for the winner, $600 for the runners-up and $200 for third and fourth.
Round 1 fixture, 19 October:
Narre North v Berwick, Narre Warren North Reserve 1
Cranbourne v Dandenong West, Casey Fields 2
St Mary’s v Narre South, Carroll Reserve 2
Narre Warren v Mordialloc, Sweeney Reserve
Springvale v North Dandenong, Springvale Reserve
Hallam Kalora Park v Beaconsfield, Hallam Rec Reserve
Buckley Ridges v Springvale South, Park Oval
Fountain Gate v Dingley, Max Pawsey Reserve
