DANDENONG DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
TURF 1 SEASON PREVIEW
Summer’s favourite sport of cricket will return to the local area on Saturday, with the Dandenong District Cricket Association set to kick-off. With the competition re-structure, the Turf 1 grade is set to be fierce, and the quality will rise to yet another level. Can Mordialloc claim a three peat? Or will another challenger emerge? NICK CREELY takes a look at how each side could fare.
BERWICK
Coach: Will Carr
Captain: Matthew Chasemore
Last Season: 5th
Most Runs: Nathan Pilon (404 runs at 36.73)
Most Wickets: James Wilcock (34 wickets at 12.18)
Ins: Brendan Rose (Casey-South Melbourne)
Outs: James Wilcock (Dandenong), Jarrod Armitage (Springvale South)
Home Base: Arch Brown Reserve, Berwick
Turf 1 premierships: 6
Most recent premiership: 2011/12
First Match: vs North Dandenong, Arch Brown Reserve, 6 October.
How far can they go?
Berwick’s list is undoubtedly glittered with talent, and they possess some of the finest local cricket names such as Nathan Pilon, Jarrod Goodes and Matt Chasemore. But their gap between their best and worst has been an issue for the last couple of years, and need an overall improvement across the board to climb back into finals. The addition of former Casey-South Melbourne club champion Brendan Rose certainly helps, but the losses of James Wilcock and Jarrod Armitage see them lose two of their top four wicket takers from last year. The one thing that the Bears do have in spades is depth, and they will also back in some of their youth and emerging senior players to take the next step. Finals is within reach, but can they play more consistently as a team?
BUCKLEY RIDGES
Coach: David White
Captain: David White
Last Season: 3rd
Most Runs: Daniel Watson (746 runs at 62.17)
Most Wickets: Jurgen Andersen (29 wickets at 16.9)
Ins: David White (overseas), Chanaka Silva (Moonee Valley), Gayantha Wijethilake (North Dandenong), Yahas Alwis (overseas), Rob Peat
Outs: Lukas Hoogenboom
Home Base: Park Oval, Dandenong
Turf 1 premierships: 2
Most recent premiership: 2012/13
First Match: vs St Mary’s, Park Oval, 6 October.
How far can they go?
A shock preliminary final loss could take nothing away from what was a brilliant Turf 1 season for the club, who continue to set the standard in the DDCA. However, with the list they have, and some of the additions to the Bucks, they are in the premiership window and must capitalise on their home and away dominance from the previous two years with nothing less than a grand final appearance. South African A player David White is a massive in and he’ll frighten some of the seasoned Turf 1 bowlers, while Chanaka Silva and Gayantha Wijethilake are stars and should slot in brilliantly in the side. Spots will be hard to get, which is a perfect problem to have for a club that is certainly primed to go one better on last year.
HALLAM KALORA PARK
Coach: Panel including Steve Gilmour, Ben Hillard, Craig Hillard and Ciaron Connelly
Captain: Ciaron Connelly
Last Season: 4th
Most Runs: Leigh Booth (565 runs at 51.36)
Most Wickets: Jordan Hammond (24 wickets at 12.46)
Ins: Peter Sofra (Casey-South Melbourne), Jaime Brohier (Frankston-Peninsula)
Outs: Thalaivan Sargunam (overseas)
Home Base: Hallam Reserve, Hallam.
Turf 1 premierships: 2
Most recent premiership: 2001/02
First Match: vs Heinz Southern Districts, Reedy Reserve, 6 October.
How far can they go?
The Hawks have been one of the most consistent Turf 1 sides for the past two years, but have been unable to take that next step when it comes to finals. Their list, however, is shaping up nicely and they’ll be confident they can make a deep run into finals. The addition of seamer Peter Sofra will help add to an impressive bowling group, while Jaime Brohier is a run machine who has had a successful stint with Frankston Peninsula after making piles of runs for Lyndale. The improvement of their core list, and ability to retain their stars should see them as one of the teams to watch this season. They also welcome a new Turf 1 skipper, with Ciaron Connelly set to take on the big job.
HEINZ SOUTHERN DISTRICTS
Coach: Rob Davies
Captain: Trevor Davies
Last Season: 8th
Most Runs: Michael Davies (468 runs at 42.55)
Most Wickets: Michael Davies (35 wickets at 10.23)
Ins: Cameron Dinger (Casey-South Melbourne), Suraj Randhiv (overseas), Justin Davis (returning)
Outs: Matthew Cox (Ashburton), Brad Downe (retired), Ricky Johnson (Doveton), Zahoor Sarwari (Endeavour Hills)
Home Base: Reedy Reserve, Hampton Park.
Turf 1 premierships: 0
First Match: vs Hallam, Reedy Reserve, 6 October.
How far can they go?
Some key ins, but some equally key outs, the Cobras will enter the season as one of the genuine unknowns. One thing is almost certain, their bowling attack stacks up with any Turf 1 side, with Cameron Dinger and former Sri Lankan test player Suraj Randhiv giving the side the best spin combination in the competition. Adding to the usual suspects in Michael Davies and Kaushyla Weeraratne with the new ball, and they look formidable. But can they score enough runs as a batting group? The losses of former skipper Matthew Cox and veteran opener Brad Downe leave the side a bit vulnerable. Only played in a grand final two years ago, but may be battling to be in the race for finals.
MORDIALLOC
Coach: Adrian Jones
Captain: Dylan Campbell
Last Season: Premiers
Most Runs: Ian Daniel (772 runs at 55.14)
Most Wickets: Ian Daniel (30 wickets at 15.50)
Ins: Nuwan Kulasekera (Overseas)
Outs: Stuart Squires, Jakob Woinarski (St Kilda), Chathura Athukorala (Tasmania)
Home Base: Ben Kavanagh Reserve, Mordialloc
Turf 1 premierships: 3
Most recent premierships: 2017/18
First Match: vs Springvale South, Alex Nelson Reserve, 6 October
How far can they go?
The reigning premiers are once again looming as a threat to claim their third consecutive Turf 1 premiership, in what would be one of the most extraordinary runs local cricket has seen in recent memory. Brilliantly coached by the highly regarded Adrian Jones, the Bloodhounds are well drilled, and each member plays their role. Young quick Dylan Campbell will take the reins as skipper, replacing club legend Stuart Squires who is taking some time off after being at the forefront of a golden era, while other bowlers in Jakob Woinarski and Chathura Athukorala won’t be at the club this season. It won’t matter, however, with Nuwan Kulasekera – who has taken 199 ODI wickets and 48 test wickets with Sri Lanka – signing on for the club. Adding to the star power of Ian Daniel and Damith Mapa Ralage, the Bloodhounds are primed to once again be in the top echelon of sides.
NORTH DANDENONG
Coach: Shane Lamour/David Bell
Captain: Asfan Thajudeen
Last Season: 7th
Most Runs: Asfan Thajudeen (278 runs at 21.38)
Most Wickets: Gayantha Wijethilaka (26 wickets at 19.19)
Ins: Akshay Ballal (overseas), Charan Chahal (overseas), Dineth Silva (overseas), Matin Sultani (Dandenong West)
Outs: Michael De Kauwe (Silverton), Nasrat Malikzada (Springvale), Clayton McCartney (McKinnon), Gayantha Wijethliaka (Buckley Ridges)
Home Base: Lois Twohig Reserve, Dandenong North
Turf 1 premierships: 2
Most recent premiership: 1997/98
First Match: vs Berwick, Arch Brown Reserve, 6 October.
How far can they go?
The Maroons have lost some key players ahead of the season, with Asfan Thajudeen taking over the captaincy in what looks to be a new look side. Last year’s leading bowler, Gayantha Wijethilaka, departs, and that should have an impact on their strike power with the new ball. But some strong overseas additions, such as Dineth Silva and Charan Chahal, should ensure they remain competitive, and they will be hoping that some youngsters can take their chances to shine when called upon. But they could be in the midst of a relegation battle, with the talent and improvement of sides around them almost certain to make it difficult.
SPRINGVALE SOUTH
Coach: Craig Slocombe
Captain: Craig Slocombe
Last Season: Runners-up
Most Runs: Steven Spoljaric (457 runs at 45.70)
Most Wickets: Malinga Bandara (37 wickets at 14)
Ins: Jarrod Armitage (Berwick), Matt Wetering (Dandenong)
Outs: Mitch Forsyth (Dandenong)
Home Base: Alex Nelson Reserve, Springvale South
Turf 1 premierships: 8
Most recent premiership: 2010/11
First Match: vs Mordialloc, Alex Nelson Reserve, 6 October
How far can they go?
The Bloods will be snarling after falling short in their Turf 1 decider to Mordialloc last year, and will be a side with plenty of motivation to upset the stunning run of Mordi. Featuring some brilliant names such as captain-coach Craig Slocombe, multiple Wookey Medal winner Steve Spoljaric, Former international spinner Malinga Bandara, the Bloods have no shortage of star power. Jarrod Armitage returns from a stint at Berwick and will be a crucial part of the side, while former junior Matt Wetering returns after doing some excellent work at Dandenong, and will be among the best quicks in the competition almost immediately. The depth is also an impressive aspect of the club, and plenty of kids and seniors will be pushing their case at Turf 1 level. They know what it takes to win premierships, and with Slocombe leading the charge, the Bloods will take some beating.
ST MARY’S
Coach: Kaushalya Gajasinghe
Captain: Kaushalya Gajasinghe
Last Season: 6th
Most Runs: Kaushalya Gajasinghe (372 runs at 46.5)
Most Wickets: Kaushalya Gajasinghe (31 wickets at 10.23)
Ins: Luke Davis, Dan Davis (overseas)
Outs: Shakeel Ahmad, Adam Welcome
Home Base: Thomas Carroll Reserve, Dandenong
Turf 1 premierships: 7
Most recent premiership: 2002/03
First Match: vs Buckley Ridges, Park Oval, 6 October.
How far can they go?
The Saints were only a couple of games away from a shock finals berth in their return to the DDCA’s top flight last year, and will be hoping that they can find some improvement within their list after a relatively quiet off-season to push for finals or at least make it hard for other sides around them. The class of the Turf 1 looks as good as it has ever looked, so it would be an incredible achievement for the club to break through and play finals. But with Kaushalya Gajasinghe still around and in the prime of his career, the Saints will internally be confident that they can be one of the surprise packets of the season despite a couple of losses in Shakeel Ahmad and Adam Welcome, who were both influential last season. Regardless of whether the club plays finals this year, the Saints are a proud club and will leave nothing in the tank.
Season Predictions
LADDER
Mordialloc
Buckley Ridges
Springvale South
Hallam Kalora Park
Berwick
Heinz Southern Districts
St Mary’s
North Dandenong
Wookey Medal: Jordan Hammond (Hallam Kalora Park)
Grand Final: Mordialloc v Buckley Ridges
Premiers: Mordialloc
