By Nick Creely
The Dandenong District Cricket Association has been hit by a Hale storm in the form of a current English international batsman.
Adding further intrigue to Buckley Ridges’ astonishing signing of David Hussey, it has pulled off yet another remarkable marquee signing that will now see it as heavy favourite to win this year’s T20 tournament.
International star Alex Hales (27) will feature for the Bucks this season in what is set to add further excitement to the tournament’s already impressive list of marquee signings.
Hales is currently ranked number eight in the ICC player rankings in the world in T20s.
In late August, Hales, while playing for England against Pakistan in an ODI in Trent Bridge, ploughed 171 off 122 balls, helping his English teammates reach the current highest score in ODI history.
The brutal opening batsman also hit an unbeaten 116 off 64 balls in the World T20 Cup in 2014.
At this stage, Hales will be available for one or two matches depending on the availability of Hussey.
This now makes three Nottinghamshire signings for the Bucks, which also has domestic cricketers Steven Mullaney and Luke Fletcher playing.
Nonetheless, this makes Buckley’s T20 side in this year’s tournament, arguably the strongest club side in cricket history, look more like a Big Bash League side than a DDCA side out of Park Oval.
Fitzroy-Doncaster all-rounder Trent Lawford is longer available for the Bucks, while Jamie Brohier from Frankston Peninsula will turn out once again.
In other marquee signings, Dingley has snared Prahan Cricket Club fast-bowler Matt Wilcox as its marquee signing.
The seamer has been one of Victorian Premier Cricket’s finest bowlers since making his First XI debut back in the 2012/13 season, and is well remembered for a brilliant 6/28 he took two seasons ago against Melbourne.
Berwick will once again welcome Casey-South Melbourne batsman Michael Wallace to the fold.
In last season’s competition, Wallace made a terrific 71 not-out to start the tournament, and previously made a 50 the year before for Berwick.
Hallam Kalora Park has secured current Victorian Bushranger and Essendon skipper Aaron Ayre to its stocks this tournament.
The 24-year old made his Sheffield Shield debut for Victoria last season, while he also featured for the Melbourne Renegades in last year’s BBL.
Mordialloc has added Monash Tigers all-rounder Dominic Matarazzo to its list.
Matarazzo is an underrated commodity and will be integral for the Bloodhounds if they are to pose a significant threat.
Narre South will welcome back current Casey-South Melbourne skipper Lachlan Sperling to bolster its batting stocks.
Sperling is well known as being a clean striker of the ball and will be available for every match this tournament.
North Dandenong has secured two key marquee signings, with Dandenong seamer Peter Cassidy and Camberwell opening batsman Chris Thewlis joining the fold.
Cassidy has enjoyed a solid start to the Premier season for the Panthers, taking five wickets to date, with an excellent 3/30 against Melbourne University on Saturday.
Thewlis, 24, is a former Victorian U/17 representative and is a rising star in Victorian Premier Cricket.
Beaconsfield has secured Monash Tigers keeper Scott Edwards to its list once again.
Edwards played last season for the Tigers, playing three games, averaging 16.67.
He is the current wicket-keeper in the Monash First XI.
Prize money in this year’s competition will be $2000, which includes $1000 for the winner, $600 for the runners-up and $200 for the third and fourth placed teams.
Round 1 will re-commence on Wednesday 26 September, with a blockbuster between Buckley Ridges and Springvale South the headline act.
Round 2 will be played the following week.
