By Nicholas Creely
The Neil Wright Shield is back – and the Dandenong District Cricket Association is looking to continue its on-going dominance.
The DDCA has enjoyed stunning success in one of the largest turf representative competitions in Victoria, winning the last three titles.
Many of the DDCA cricketers that have come through this pathway have gone on to play in Victorian Premier Cricket teams.
The squad will be once again led by star Hawks all-rounder Jordan Hammond who, in Round 3 in Turf 1, cracked a stunning century against Berwick.
The skipper is a match-winner with both bat and ball and looms as the biggest drawcard for interested on-lookers.
Only two of last year’s members, Travis D’Souza and Hammond, are still in the squad.
Other Turf 1 regulars include the Narre Warren quartet of Imran Laghmani, who is enjoying his first season at the top-level as a spinner, Rehan Majoka, who is being groomed at the top of the order for the Magpies, and opening batsman Mitchell Shirt and Zach Allen.
Others who have had a taste of Turf 1 action this season are Parkfield batting all-rounder Travis D’Souza, who continues to impress and Jack Jessiman from Hallam-Kalora Park.
The side will be coached by DDCA legend Craig Slocombe.
Final DDCA under 21 Squad
Jordan Hammond (Captain, Hallam-Kalora Park)
Harley Dale (Aspendale)
Alex Cross (Berwick)
Jack Phillips (Berwick)
Darcy Hellriegel (Buckley Ridges)
Joel Robertson (Coomoora)
Brayden Roscoe (Cranbourne)
Jack Jessiman (Hallam-Kalora Park)
Jakob Woinarski (Mordialloc)
Josh Dowling (Narre North)
Zach Allen (Narre Warren)
Imran Laghmani (Narre Warren)
Rehan Majoka (Narre Warren)
Mitchell Shirt (Narre Warren)
Travis D’Souza (Parkfield)
Liam Hamilton (Springvale South)
The side starts its tournament against the Mornington Peninsula on 20 November at Carroll Reserve, Dandenong.
From there they will play the West Gippsland side at Keysborough Reserve on 27 November in what will be an exciting clash, before a final round-robin match against Box Hill on 4 December which, year after year, produces quality young cricketers.
