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For the first time in 20 months – since the 2019/20 WGCA finals series was interrupted – it feels like we’re ready for a full season of highly entertaining cricket, with a restructured WGCA set to burst into action this Saturday. The elite Premier Division promises to be an absolute beauty this season, with seven teams looking to chase down the Bulls from Cardinia – a thoroughly deserving champion crowned in March this year. The Gazette’s Dave Nagel had a chat to the leaders of each club to get their thoughts on a highly-anticipated season ahead….
CARDINIA
Captain: Jake Prosser
Last Season: First – Premiers
Most Runs: Alex Nooy (400 at 33.33); Jake Prosser (372 at 37.20)
Most Wickets: Jake Prosser (28 at 9.54); Travis Wheller (24 at 10.46)
In: Lachlan Volpe (Leg-spinner)
Out: None
Questions for Prosser:
It’s a privilege to have a target on your back; it means you’ve been successful. How does it feel being the top dog coming in?
“We’re definitely ready to take it on and it’s going to be different for some of the boys that haven’t played in flags before, but as long as we have the same mindset we should be alright.
Your slow bowling dominance really stood out last year. Is that a formula that you think can work again?
“The formula still works but I think clubs will come a lot harder at us and take on the spinners a bit more. It might work from time to time, but will work against teams as well, that’s something we want teams to do, come at us…bring it on.”
What excites you most about this season?
“The evenness of the competition is exciting. The top six from last year are definitely in contention. And I’m excited by our new recruit Lachie Volpe. Watching him bowl in the practice match it’s clear he’s going to get a lot of wickets, especially on our deck.
Players to watch?
Trav Wheller at the top of the order. He had good exposure last year opening up and I think he’ll really thrive. He probably won’t make big hundreds, but opening with Alex Nooy he’ll play a crucial role for us, turning it over and putting away the bad ball.
Expectations?
“On paper the only way we can improve on last year is go undefeated, but I’m a little more realistic than that. We just want to get to the finals and go from there and hopefully we’ve timed our run right.”
Gazette Prediction: Runners up
CARLISLE PARK
Captain: David Nutting
Last Season: First – Premiers (District)
Most Runs: Ravindu Kodithuwakku (441 runs at 31.50); David Nutting (437 runs at 36.42)
Most Wickets: Senal De Silva (25 at 17.60); David Nutting (17 at 18.59)
In: Spencer Petrie (Keeper/Bat)
Out: Senal De Silva (In Sri Lanka), James Parnall
Questions for Nutting:
The Vikings are finally in Premier Division. How exciting is that for the club?
“We’re all pretty pumped about it to be honest. It’s taken 10 years and a couple of grand final losses to get there…it’s been a relief to make it. We’re a little nervous, but we’re not going to back down and play the little brother to anyone – we’ll take it to them and see what we can do.”
Are you a chance of playing finals?
“Possibly, but the first thing we need to worry about is getting enough wins on the board to avoid relegation…you don’t want to get into that fight. If play the cricket we did last year, we won’t be pushovers that’s for sure.”
What are your teams’ strengths?
“Our strength is definitely our batting. In my 20-odd years of playing senior cricket we’ve got probably the classiest left-handed batter I’ve ever seen. Ravindu (Kodithuwakku)…he’s a genuine player and hits it hard and clean.
Who are your other players to watch?
“We’ve got an exciting batting line up but we also have some experience. We’ll bat around (Anurudda) Fonseka at four, he’s a wise head, and Mick Sinclair is an experienced player as well.
What do you know about these gun teams in Premier?
“We respect their talents and hopefully it’s the same for them…they haven’t seen us play before either. I’ve told our blokes not to fear anyone and just to play our game.
Are you ready for the challenge preparation wise?
“Definitely, everyone is ready to go and the net sessions have been pretty red hot…we can’t wait to get started.”
Gazette Prediction: Sixth
CLYDE
Captain: Matthew Aslett
Last Season: Seventh
Most Runs: Kiefer Peries (444 at 37); Jason Hameeteman (227 at 20.64)
Most Wickets: Matthew Aslett (16 at 21.63); Daniel Lever (13 at 28.69)
In: Ryan Williamson (Top-order), Shashintha Lakshan (Batting All-Rounder), Luke Rogers (Mid-Order All Rounder)
Out: Kiefer Peries (Frankston), Patrick Lawson (Pakenham)
Questions for Aslett:
What are your expectations of the group for this season?
“The expectation this year is to be a lot more consistent and to be competitive in every game we play in. We’ve been hot or cold over the last couple of seasons, either really good or really bad, so I’m hoping we can be a lot more consistent and push those big-four or five clubs on a weekly basis. We would like to start confidently and push on from there. I’d hope, and I’m confident, that we can push for finals this year.”
What’s the most exciting challenge facing your boys this season?
“The challenge of one day cricket with a new team, a new ground, and the challenge of bouncing back. We struggled with one-day cricket, but we’re excited about having a crack this year and being super-competitive.”
Who are the players to watch at Clyde this year?
“Ryan Adams is a top-order bat who will start in the twos but finished really strongly last season. And Kane Avard – he’s my vice-captain – he’s had a couple of good seasons but we’ve had a few chats and he’s really keen to step up this season as well. He’s been good, but this is the year I think he takes himself to the next level.”
If everything goes well and you’re in the grand final…Who is your opponent?
“I think Tooradin are the team to beat. Obviously, Cardinia last year were exceptional, but I just think Tooradin, with Hussey, O’Hare, Lehman, those types, that’s a pretty scary top-order batting line up and they’re going to be dangerous.”
Gazette Prediction: Eighth
CRANBOURNE MEADOWS
Captain: Sunny Paul
Last Season: Sixth
Most Runs: Vishalbir Thind (412 at 31.69); Jaswinder Gill (246 at 22.36)
Most Wickets: Joraver Sidhu (21 at 18.19); Sajjanmeet Singh (15 at 14.53)
In: Kavinda Pulukkuttiarachchi (Top-Order Bat), Harj Sohal (Bat), Satnam Singh (Bat), Amit Prabhakar (Off-Spinner), Zion Pereira (Leg-Spinner).
Out: Not Available
Comments from new coach Brent Shaw
On the recruitment of Pulukkuttiarachchi…
“When I knew he was available he was number one priority for me – I knew he was a quality bat, and someone that’d be invested in the club. He wants a place to call home, so when I was appointed, he was the number one. He’ll bat in the top order, top-four, it’ll depend on the way the season pans out – he’s got a good technique, he’s got gears, so he’ll be steady early and hopefully he’ll get that explosiveness. He’ll bowl overs too – he bowls a good pace, so he’ll be first or second change.”
On the clubs reliance on slow bowling…
“Yeah there’s talented spinners already at the club, so I think we can build pressure with them, get through the overs quickly. The bowling depth is there from previous years – I just want to nab as many as we can.”
On pre-season training…
“We’ve trained twice which was good – it was a max of 20 which we filled both nicely, and basically I’ve been touching base with players through Facebook and staying in touch during those long lockdowns. It hasn’t been easy, but my message is to turn up and play when we need to play, and prepare to be at our best. I want us to find some middle ground, not bowled out for 80, and be consistent.”
On the competition…
“I think we’re in for a great competition this year, every team seems to have improved and there will definitely be no easy games. It will come down to who handles the pressure moments better.”
Gazette Prediction: Seventh
KOOWEERUP
Captain: Chris Bright
Last Season: Third – Runners Up
Most Runs: Chris Bright (489 at 34.93); Steve Dillon (299 at 23)
Most Wickets: Jess Mathers (26 at 15.88); John Bright (22 at 13.68)
In: Adam McMaster (Pace Bowler), Mitch Davey (Pace Bowler), Videsh Dassanayake, and Mahie Bodahandi (Top-order bat/leg spin)
Out: Nathan Voss, Riley Clark, Archie Whitta (All having a year off)
Questions for Bright:
You were one step away from a premiership in March…How do you get over Cardinia?
“They were well coached and drilled hard to play one-day cricket and that put them a step ahead of everyone. I’m looking forward to the challenge, obviously they’re going to be the benchmark side again, but we’re confident we can turn things around.”
Cardinia really took the pace off the ball last year. How does that affect you as a top-order bat?
“It changes things a lot. Nine times out of 10 the ball is coming on and you can time it, but Cardy has one of the best spinning sides in the comp so you have to adapt to a different game plan. All sides have had a season to observe and will adapt to it better this year.”
What excites you about this year?
“The development of the younger guys that we have, watching them take the next step is exciting. Luke McMaster, Cody Miller, and obviously we’ve got Adam McMaster back to play with his brother straight out of Dandenong…that’s pretty exciting.”
Are they the players to watch?
“I like where Luke (McMaster) is heading. We gave him a go at the top of the order and he relished taking the game on. Jess Mathers has dropped 10 kilos and looks ready to fire.”
What are your main aims this year?
“We aim to play finals every year but, digging down, our number-one goal is to finish top of the ladder and get a massive advantage in finals. It worked for Cardinia last year, the home-ground advantage is huge.”
Gazette Prediction: Third
MERINDA PARK
Captain: Paul Stockdale
Last Season: Fourth – semi-finalist
Most Runs: Manu Goraya (460 at 38.33); Thuduwage Kumara (418 at 38)
Most Wickets: Tyson Bertrand (20 at 18.85), Paul Stockdale (19 at 12.79)
In: Josh Phillips
Out: Gurpreet Singh (Skye)
Questions for Stockdale:
Merinda Park surprised a few last season by playing finals. Can you do it again?
“I think so…we’ve got a good team again, there hasn’t been much change. We just came together as a group instead of being individuals and that made a huge difference. We bonded and everyone was happy to be there.”
Semi-finalist to grand finalist…How do you take the next step?
“We got washed out and were a big chance against Kooweerup but the rain got us. Do the same things and we’ll be a pretty good chance again.”
What are your strengths as a team?
“We’re pretty strong both ways. If our batting fails our bowling seems to stand up and it’s the same the other way around. There were a couple of games where we struggled but I think that’s to be expected in one-day cricket.”
Who are the players to watch?
“Luke Dinger will have more responsibility and I expect him to have a pretty good year with the ball…and ‘Danners’ (Daniel McCalman) is a gun with the bat.”
What are you looking forward to most this season?
“Just being around the group of people we have to be honest. We’re trying hard to build a really strong culture at the club.”
How has your cramped preparation been…are you ready?
“As ready as we can be. We’ve played no practice matches but I think we’ll be fine after a solid week on the track.”
Is it week by week or do you have long-terms aims?
“There’s no point looking further down the track when you’re not there yet…it just gets people focussed elsewhere. A game at a time and we’ll adjust things as we need to.”
Gazette Prediction: Fifth
PAKENHAM
Captain: Dale Tormey
Last Season: Fifth
Most Runs: Dale Tormey (357 at 29.75); Chris Smith (306 at 27.82)
Most Wickets: Dale Tormey (19 at 16.63); Troy McDermott (16 at 18.50)
In: Patrick Lawson (Opening Bowler), Greg Interlandi (Bat)
Out: Zac Chaplin
Questions for Tormey:
Pakenham missed out on finals for the first time in a long-time last year…What happened?
“I don’t think we adapted well to one-day cricket and we just expected things to happen for us. We dropped off slightly and paid the price.”
Is the pressure more or less now after last year?
“We played in four grand finals and then missed out…so there’s no real pressure now. We start again, and we start as a middle of the road team. There’s no pressure on us – but if we get back to our best, I’ve got no doubt we’ll be thereabouts again.”
It sounds like you’re all very hungry to turn things around?
“100 percent, we play to win flags and missing out on finals hurt. Sitting there on grand final day, it hurt sitting there watching knowing if we bring our best cricket, we had every chance of being there. We’re super keen, we’ve picked up Patty (Lawson) and there’s no way we’ll be turning up just going through the motions.”
How important is the recruitment of Lawson?
“Patty is going to be big for us, it’s massive, we needed another bowler, that’s what we wanted and we got one of the best going around. Just the way he’s going about it in the nets you can see he’s going to be a player to watch with the ball.”
What other players should we look out for?
“Chris Smith is one of the best players around and he was disappointed with his season last year and I can tell he’s going to be up and about this year. He’s very exciting to watch with bat and ball.”
Gazette Prediction: Fourth
TOORADIN
Captain: Callum O’Hare
Last Season: Second – semi-finalist
Most Runs: Callum O’Hare (453 at 32.36); Dylan Sutton (242 at 24.20)
Most Wickets: Dylan Sutton (22 at 18.77); Kallan Braid-Ball (18 at 18.94)
In: Tom Hussey (Keeper/Top Order Bat), Steve Hammill (Opening Bowler), Luke Adams.
Out: Ned Harrison (Catani), Andrew Proctor.
Questions for O’Hare:
The obvious question first. How big is it to have Tom Hussey back at the club?
“Having Huss back is huge for us, he’s one of the best local cricketers going around, not just in terms of a player, but the character he brings to the group. He’s already setting the standards…it’s great to have him back.”
Tooradin hasn’t won a flag since 2013…it feels like this list should have done better than that…
“Every year we finish second or third and just fall short, which has been frustrating, but there have been some pretty good teams around and maybe we’ve been a rung below them. I’ve got no doubt we’ll be thereabouts again.”
Apart from Hussey, who are the players to keep an eye on this year?
“Brad Butler, he opens the bowling and is one of the fastest couple of bowlers in the league…he’s exciting. He’ll also be good down the order, he hits the ball in areas you don’t expect. Josh Lowndes, he’s a proven player and I’m expecting a big season from him, and BJ Parrott, he’s had a massive pre-season.”
Is it the usual suspects that will be fighting for this season’s flag?
“I think every side is getting stronger, but you can’t go past Cardinia, they were the best side, they’ve recruited again, them, Koowee and Pakenham have been the best sides for 10 years. But you can’t write any team off…particularly in one-day cricket, it comes down to big moments.”
Your expectations for this year?
“We need to take the next step and make a grand final…from there you never know what might happen.
Gazette Prediction: Premiers
WGCA PREMIER DIVISION – LAST 10 WINNERS
2020/21 Cardinia def Kooweerup
2019/20 *Kooweerup v Pakenham
2018/19 Pakenham def Kooweerup
2017/18 Kooweerup def Pakenham
2016/17 Kooweerup def Pakenham
2015/16 Pakenham def Kooweerup
2014/15 Kooweerup def Cardinia
2013/14 Kooweerup def Cardinia
2012/13 Tooradin def Merinda Park
2011/12 Kooweerup def Tooradin
*No grand final played due to Covid. Kooweerup premiers due to higher ladder position.
