By Nick Creely
DANDENONG DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
TURF 2 AND 3 SEASON PREVIEW
CRANBOURNE
Coach: Matt Blackman
Captain: Matt Blackman
Last Season: 10th in Turf 1
Most Runs: Lucas Ligt (234 runs at 26)
Most Wickets: Pardeep Boyal (16 wickets at 19.81)
Ins: Matt Blackman, Riley Blackman (Rowville), Marty Kelly, Dean McDonnell (returning)
Outs: Brandon Roscoe, Jake Harrington (Seaford), Jawed Hussaini, Jakeb McVicar (Narre South), Nivin Sathyajith (Frankston Peninsula), Ben Ingham (Narre Warren)
First Match: vs Dingley, Souter Oval, 6 October
How far can they go?
In just two years, the Eagles find themselves in Turf 2 and with what looks like a completely different side. Under new coach Matt Blackman – who comes highly regarded from Rowville – the Eagles will look to rebuild through its exciting youth and look to unearth some hidden gems.
DANDENONG WEST
Coach: Grant Mills
Captain: Matthew Collett
Last Season: 9th in Turf 1
Most Runs: Matthew Collett (225 runs at 17.31)
Most Wickets: Peter Atkinson (28 wickets at 16.25)
Ins: Adam Bayly (Kingston Hawthorn), Andrew Harry (returning), Grant Mills (Merinda Park)
Outs: Matin Sultani (North Dandenong)
First Match: vs Parkmore Pirates, Greaves Reserve, 6 October
How far can they go?
The Westers were certainly competitive – particularly late in the Turf 1 season last year – and have got the perfect chance to push back into Turf 2 and continue to build its list. There is certainly plenty of excitement around Greaves Reserve with the inclusion of Premier cricketer Adam Bayly, and the overall improvement of its juniors and the stability of its senior squad should see them make a push for finals.
DINGLEY
Coach: Greg Booth
Captain: Corey Booth
Last Season: 11th in Turf 1
Most Runs: Christo Otto (261 runs at 29)
Most Wickets: Dinuk Hettiarchchi (21 wickets at 11.38)
Ins: Nil
Outs: Jackson O’Brien (Keysborough)
First Match: vs Cranbourne, Souter Oval, 6 October
How far can they go?
The Dingoes will be a side to keep an eye on this Turf 2 season, and enter the year with supreme confidence that they can do some damage. Retaining Dinuk Hettiarchchi and Matt Hague will give them significant star power, and keep them in the hunt for a premiership. They worked so hard to get back to Turf 1, and with a fit and healthy list, they will fancy their chances of getting back there quickly.
NARRE NORTH
Coach: Matt Brooks/Brett Lewis
Captain: Matt Brooks
Last Season: Premiers in Turf 2
Most Runs: Josh Henry (321 runs at 24.69)
Most Wickets: Ryan Hendy (42 wickets at 12.52)
Ins: Brandon Tyzzer (Cranbourne), Nathan Wilson (Doveton), Michael Dunstan (Beaconsfield)
Outs: Josh Dowling, Joel Zietsman (Casey-South Melbourne), Nathan Pulham, Luke Rogers (Ellinbank)
First Match: vs Narre South, Strathaird Recreation Reserve, 6 October
How far can they go?
The reigning premiers of Turf 2 will be hoping to replicate its stunning form in last year’s finals into the new season, and will once again be a side to keep an eye on despite a lot of sides improving around them. The losses of Dowling and Zietsman hurt their bowling stocks immensely, but enough depth around the board should have them in the frame to defend its premiership.
NARRE SOUTH
Coach: Scott Phillips
Captain: Scott Phillips
Last Season: Runners-up in Turf 2
Most Runs: Scott Phillips (653 runs at 59.36)
Most Wickets: Scott Phillips (38 wickets at 7.39)
Ins: Jawed Hussaini, Jakeb McVicar (Cranbourne)
Outs: None
First Match: vs Narre North, Strathaird Recreation Reserve, 6 October
How far can they go?
The Lions have been the minor premiers two years straight, but crucially have been unable to breakthrough for a premiership. Despite this, Scott Phillips’ hungry group will enter the Turf 2 season as once again one of the sides to pencil in for finals.
NARRE WARREN
Coach: Sanjeewa Weerasinghe
Captain: Sanjeewa Weerasinghe
Last Season: Last in Turf 1
Most Runs: Janaka Liyanabadalge (464 runs at 42.18)
Most Wickets: Janaka Liyanabadalge (17 wickets at 23.88)
Ins: Sanjeewa Weerasinghe (Silverton), Ben Ingham (Cranbourne), James Elliot, Callum Spencer (Casey South Melbourne), Srimantha Fernando (Silverton), Dilusha Nannayakkara (Berwick Springs)
Outs: Craig Boswell, Hussain Ali (Jindivick)
First Match: vs St Brigid’s/St Louis, Bonbeach Oval, 6 October
How far can they go?
It’s no secret that the Magpies endured a horror Turf 1 season, but is one of the sides that could benefit from the competition restructure as they embark on a new era. Some handy new recruits, and the retention of Janaka Liyanabadalage should have the Magpies in a position to be extremely competitive.
PARKMORE PIRATES
Coach: Anurudda Foneska
Captain: Anurudda Foneska
Last Season: Third in Turf 2
Most Runs: Amal Athulathmudali (536 runs at 38.29)
Most Wickets: Amal Athulathmudali (29 wickets at 13.93)
Ins: Aditya Ganesh (Prahran), Madhawa Sakuranga (overseas), Kasun Chamara (overseas), Ammar Bajwa (Carlisle Park), Jason Noyahr (Parkfield), Anurudda Foneska (Lynbrook)
Outs: Gayan De Silva (Yarragon)
First Match: vs Dandenong West, Greaves Reserve, 6 October
How far can they go?
The Pirates enjoyed a strong Turf 2 season last year to finish in third spot, and have been one of the most active clubs in bringing in new recruits to have a red hot crack at a premiership. Anurudda Foneska joins as captain-coach and has all the tools to be a massive addition for the club, while Aditya Ganesh returns from a stint at Prahran and quality all-rounder Ammar Bajwa joins.
ST BRIGID’S/ST LOUIS
Coach: Vaib Deshpande
Captain: Jeremy Hayes
Last Season: 4th in Turf 2
Most Runs: Vaib Deshpande (325 runs at 25)
Most Wickets: Vaib Deshpande (31 wickets at 15.81)
Ins: Ryan Stringer (returning)
Outs: Nil
First Match: vs Narre Warren, Bonbeach Oval, 6 October
How far can they go?
While other clubs have gone the path of recruiting from the outside, St Brigid’s/St Louis will instead opt down a stable path and look to forge ahead with virtually the same group that got into the Turf 2 finals last year. The club believes they can see natural improvement from their list, and with gun all-rounder Vaib Deshpande still the head coach, the side will definitely be around the mark for finals.
TURF 3
BEACONSFIELD
Coach: N/A
Captain: Alex Roberts
Last Season: 6th in Turf 2
Most Runs: Matt Golding (589 runs at 65.44)
Most Wickets: Matt Golding (43 wickets at 12.37)
Ins: Alex Roberts (overseas), Jack Benbow (Frankston Peninsula), Jake Cutting (Hallam Kalora Park), Kevin Baldsing (Silverton)
Outs: Heshal Silva (overseas), Michael Dunstan (Narre North), Glen Scales (retired)
How far can they go?
An extremely strong off-season will have the Tigers well and truly in the frame to go deep into the season after narrowly avoiding staying in Turf 2. Former Wookey medal winner Alex Roberts will be one to watch, as is former junior Jack Benbow returns after almost 200 matches at Premier level.
COOMOORA
Coach: N/A
Captain: Lance Baptist
Last Season: 5th in Turf 2
Most Runs: Joel Robertson (381 runs at 34.64)
Most Wickets: Malan Madusanka (24 wickets at 11.75)
Ins: N/A
Outs: N/A
How far can they go?
One of the unlucky sides to drop down to Turf 3 after a solid season in Turf 2 last year, the Kangaroos will have an expectation of nothing less than finals. With their list shaping nicely, it should be achieved.
FOUNTAIN GATE
Coach: Dave Lucas
Captain: Dave Lucas
Last Season: 8th in Turf 2
Most Runs: Rodni Kumara (379 runs at 29.15)
Most Wickets: Rodni Kumara (42 wickets at 10.33)
Ins: Justin De Wet (Dandenong West), Syed Shah (Doveton), Aravind Murali
Outs: Dale Jose (Doveton)
How far can they go?
The overall depth of the club has improved, and the Gators will be eyeing off finals with the new competition structure. Dave Lucas has a young group to work with, but is confident that their natural improvement will help compliment the star power such as Rodni Kumara.
KEYSBOROUGH
Coach: Stephen Hennigan
Captain: Jacob Hennigan
Last Season: 9th in Turf 2
Most Runs: Andre Peters (361 runs at 27.77)
Most Wickets: Hennadige Fernando (13 wickets at 11.38), Abhinay Motupalli (13 wickets at 21.77), Daniel Banhidi (13 wickets at 29.92)
Ins: Jackson O’Brien (Dingley)
Outs: Yohan Arumadura
How far can they go?
Keysborough will be looking to inject some youth, and trying to build a list from within the club. The club will aim to breakthrough for finals and with the stability of their playing group, would fancy their chances.
LYNBROOK
Coach: Chris Jarrett
Captain: Chris Jarrett
Last Season: 11th in Turf 2
Most Runs: Cody Thompson (230 runs at 20.91)
Most Wickets: Dinesh Vensilaus (18 wickets at 16.17), Jesse Walia (18 wickets at 22.11)
Ins: Chris Jarrett (Narre Warren)
Outs: Anurudda Foneska (Parkmore Pirates)
How far can they go?
The Lakers will be a youthful, energetic side under new coach Chris Jarrett, and have had a relatively quiet off-season, looking to just consolidate their list and build their future.
LYNDALE
Coach: TBC
Captain: Ben Montgomery
Last Season: 12th in Turf 2
Most Runs: Brendan Ash (306 runs at 21.86)
Most Wickets: Farazur Rahman (15 wickets at 26)
Ins: Girish Chopra, Nirmal Soysa (overseas)
Outs: Rory Ingram (Springvale South), Dylan Vanderwert (Dandenong)
How far can they go?
Once more, the club will be looking to inject its youth into the senior grades, with the 17 to 22 year old’s set to be a major feature of its first XI. A couple of overseas players will help with the overall depth of the side.
PARKFIELD
Coach: David Payne
Captain: Stephen Cannon
Last Season: 7th in Turf 2
Most Runs: Tanil Dehigaspitiya (296 runs at 29.6)
Most Wickets: Matthew Aslett (22 wickets at 15.73)
Ins: Alistair Read (Endeavour Hills)
Outs: Jason Noyahr (Parkmore Pirates), Matthew Aslett (Clyde), Anthony Stubbs
How far can they go?
The Bears were an ultra-competitive team in Turf 2 last year, and will certainly have an expectation of playing finals this season. They will want improvement across the board, and look to lift the standards to a level where they can build sustainable success.
SILVERTON
Coach: Simon Beshara
Captain: Simon Beshara
Last Season: 10th in Turf 2
Most Runs: Clinton Gottinger (318 runs at 28.91)
Most Wickets: Shrimantha Fernando (19 wickets at 22.26)
Ins: Mick De Kauwe (North Dandenong), Simon Beshara (Beaumaris), Alex Kerr (St James), Michael Klonaridis, Michael Ashman, Tom Davis (Noble Park)
Outs: Kevin Baldsing (Beaconsfield), Sanjeewa Weerasinghe, Shrimantha Fernando (Narre Warren)
How far can they go?
A tough season for the ones last year, but Silverton could be one club that rises after a brilliant off-season. Adding Simon Beshara to the mix has given the club a level of professionalism it hasn’t seen for a while, and a good mix of recruits plus an acceptable level of retention could see the Turf 3 side seriously have a crack at playing finals.
