By Nick Creely
Community sport has been left out in the wilderness for another winter, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel with the cricket kits set to be dusted off for another season. In the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s highly regarded Turf 1 competition, it’s set to be another bumper season after a huge off-season of recruiting. NICK CREELY previews each club..
BERWICK
Nickname: Bears
President: Andrew Moore
Coach: Brad James
Captain: James Wilcock
Last Season: Runners-up
Most Runs: Matthew Chasemore (475 runs at 47.50); Ruwantha Kellepotha (375 runs at 37.5)
Most Wickets: Ruwantha Kellepotha (43 wickets at 11.86); Brendan Rose (16 wickets at 25.06)
In: Andrew Perrin (Prahran), Riley Siwes (Dandenong West), Matt Robertson (returning), Damith Mapa Ralage (Mordialloc)
Out: Ruwantha Kellepotha (Casey-South Melbourne), Josh Holden (Buckley Ridges), Brendan Rose (Richmond), Cory Bevan (Knoxfield)
Home Base: Arch Brown Reserve, Berwick
Turf 1 premierships: 7
Most recent premiership: 2019/20
First match: vs Narre Warren, Arch Brown Reserve
More: After coming agonisingly close to pulling off back-to-back Turf 1 premierships, the powerhouse Bears – despite an interesting off-season of movement – are once again well placed to give the Turf 1 title, and its eighth premiership in history a red-hot shake. The loss of Ruwantha Kellepotha does leave a gaping hole hard to fill, with the leg-spinning all-rounder coming off a truly extraordinary Wookey Medal winning season, but the star is giving Premier Cricket a go. Lion-hearted quick Brendan Rose is also returning to Premier level after another strong season, but the Bears have recruited smartly and have filled some needs on their list. The addition of ex-Tasmanian paceman Andrew Perrin, who retired from Premier level after winning a premiership with Prahran, gives the Bears a genuine star spearhead alongside James Wilcock, while emerging leggie Riley Siwes is a talent and will slot in well, while Mordialloc champ Damith Mapa Ralage is a serious player and a crucial addition. The great Matt Chasemore relinquishes the captaincy to star quick James Wilcock and will once again be hoping for a big season with the bat. The side will look a bit different, but the Bears will once again be up to their eyeballs in the race for the flag.
BUCKLEY RIDGES
Nickname: Bucks
President: Sonny De Silva
Coach: Manjula Munasinghe
Captain: Ben Wright
Last Season: Fourth
Most Runs: Daniel Watson (383 runs at 38.3); Ian Cockbain (211 runs at 42.20)
Most Wickets: Michael Davies (22 wickets at 17.41); Chanaka Welegedara (20 wickets at 14.95)
In: Nimesh Kariyawasam (North Dandenong), Ben Wright (overseas), Josh Holden (Berwick), Mahela Udawatte (overseas), Ricky Damiano (Twenty20 only)
Out: Chanaka Welegedara (Strathmore), Benny Howell, Ian Cockbain (Langwarrin), Susa Pradeep (Endeavour Hills)
Home Base: Park Oval, Dandenong
Turf 1 premierships: 3
Most recent premiership: 2018/19
First match: vs Springvale South, Park Oval
More: Another powerhouse club that has been highly active this off-season after a fourth placed finish last season. The Bucks didn’t have it all their own way last year, with injuries, unavailabilities and some inconsistency holding them back, but there was enough class in the sheds to play finals. After a brief stint at the club, ex-Test quick Chanaka Welegedara returns to Strathmore, while overseas pair Benny Howell and Ian Cockbain have departed, while there is uncertainty around DDCA great Daniel ‘DJ’ Watson and whether he plays on. But the Bucks have recruited sharply as they tend to do and as a result remain in the premiership hunt, with Mahela Udawatte – the ex-Sri Lankan Test batter – arguably the biggest recruit of all the clubs. He will undoubtedly enjoy the Park Oval surroundings and looms as a dominant player in the competition. Ex-England Under 19 representative Ben Wright has joined the club and signed as skipper in another monster boost to the batting, while Josh Holden adds significant depth to that middle order. Nimesh Kariyawasam is a zippy paceman from North Dandenong and will form a strong combo with Michael Davies, while the great Ricky Damiano is locked in as the Twenty20 marquee player.
HALLAM KALORA PARK
Nickname: Hawks
President: Craig Hillard
Coach: Richard Hammond
Captain: Jordan Hammond
Last Season: Premiers
Most Runs: Leigh Booth (443 runs at 34.08); Matthew Cox (352 runs at 29.33)
Most Wickets: Will Whyte (28 wickets at 12.89); Jordan Hammond (21 wickets at 21.29)
In: Udara Hettige (HSD)
Out: Lee Brown (injury)
Home Base: Hallam Recreation Reserve, Hallam
Turf 1 premierships: 3
Most recent premiership: 2020/21
First match: vs Narre South, Strathaird Recreation Reserve
More: On grand final day last season, there was genuine euphoria in the air as the Hawks won their first Turf 1 flag since 2001/02 – a premiership 20 years in the making. What made last season so special was the bond created by a group of guys who’ve grown up playing together. The end result, a premiership, was the sweetest culmination of everything they’ve gone through together. But it’s a new season, and there is no reason why the Hawks can’t put the foot down and charge towards back-to-back Turf 1 flags. More importantly, as the Hawks are regarded for, there is stability and genuine connection, and with another season of one-day cricket ahead of them, simply know what it takes to win in any situation. The Hawks were so disciplined with bat and ball last season, as seen in the epic grand final encounter against Berwick. Ben Hillard, Leigh Booth, Matt Cox, and skipper Jordan Hammond make up a dangerous batting group, while Hammond, Will Whyte, spinner Sachith Jayasingha, as well as the experienced Steve Gilmour provide boundless options with the ball. Adding to that incredible mix is all-rounder Udara Hettige from HSD, who has joined the Hawks after a stellar Turf 1 campaign last year which netted 185 runs and 18 wickets to be a shining light for the Cobras. He’ll slot straight in and have an impact. The Hawks will kickstart their premiership defence with an away clash against Narre South on 13 November, and will take some beating this season.
NARRE SOUTH
Nickname: Lions
President: Nathan Tracy
Coach: Matt Brooks
Captain: Kyle Hardy
Last Season: Fifth
Most Runs: Kaushalya Weeraratne (329 runs at 41.13); Kyle Hardy (276 runs at 55.20)
Most Wickets: Josh Dowling (31 wickets at 12.68); Morteza Ali (18 wickets at 12.78)
In: Harsha De Silva (West Coburg)
Out: Josh Dowling (Springvale South), Scott Phillips (Williamstown Imperials)
Home Base: Strathaird Reserve, Narre Warren South
Turf 1 premierships: 5
Most recent premiership: 1979/80
First match: vs Hallam Kalora Park, Strathaird Reserve
More: It was only a matter of percentage that prevented the Lions from their second straight Turf 1 finals appearance with the club now well and truly entrenched in the DDCA’s top-flight, and with a thriving junior program are continuing to build a strong base into the future. Little moments in the end proved the catalyst for just missing out, and with another one-day season ahead will be hoping to learn from their mistakes. It won’t be easy with the association’s leading paceman last season, Josh Dowling off to Springvale South. It’s a big loss and one hard to replace. The legendary Scott Phillips’ memorable stint with the club has come to a close with the great all-rounder moving clubs to be closer to home. But just as champions do, he’s left the club in a better place than when he arrived, having scored 2403 runs at 47.12 and 158 wickets at 12.61 in his 66 matches. His century and six-wicket-haul in the Turf 2 grand final will go down in folklore. The Lions have added attacking opener Harsha De Silva from West Coburg and expect him to settle in nicely at the top, while will be hoping 2019/20 Wookey winner Morteza Ali, champion all-rounder Kaushalya Weeraratne, skipper and gun batter Kyle Hardy can carry the bulk of responsibility, with the likes of Jawed Hussaini, Tim Phillips and Kirk Dickson continuing to contribute strongly. A stern test against reigning premiers Hallam Kalora Park in the opening round will be fascinating viewing.
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NARRE WARREN
Nickname: Magpies
President: Ricky Jones
Coach: Brett Lewis and Tony Young
Captain: Cameron Dinger
Last Season: Turf 2 premiers
Most Runs: Zach Allen (387 runs at 29.77); Ben Swift (282 runs at 23.50)
Most Wickets: Josh Dinger (33 wickets at 9.79); Cameron Dinger (23 wickets at 9)
In: Nil
Out: Nil
Home Base: Sweeney Recreation Reserve, Narre Warren
Turf 1 premierships: 0
Most recent premiership: 2020/21 Turf 2 premiership
First match: vs Berwick, Arch Brown Reserve
More: The Maggies return to Turf 1 with unwavering momentum after a superb Turf 2 premiership that saw them play some largely electrifying cricket and really kick into gear at the pointy end of the season. With the season to once again be played in a one-day format, the club knows that it suits the white ball game, has some destructive hitters and leaders who know what’s required to succeed in the shorter game. Cam Dinger will skipper the Magpies this season, with the leggie a quality cricketer who keeps getting better, while the likes of Zach Allen, zippy paceman Josh Dinger and Ben Swift are also vital players as the club looks to mix it with the DDCA’s best and most powerful clubs once again. Dinger’s pace and x-factor are a crucial factor in the side, with the club confident he can take another huge leap after 33 wickets last season, including six in the grand final. While the Magpies could have looked outside to add to the list, Brett Lewis’ group has immense confidence that it doesn’t want to unsettle the premiership team, believing they’re well and truly on track for a competitive season in Turf 1 cricket if they stick to the same process that saw them achieve glory last season. The group is young, full of talent and will back themselves in. It’s hard to know whether they will push for finals, but they’re a dangerous group capable of anything. And what better way to test themselves back in the top-flight than a trip to Arch Brown Reserve to take on the mighty Berwick.
NORTH DANDENONG
Nickname: Maroons
President: Jason Shaw
Captain: Clayton McCartney
Coach: Leroy de Alwis
Last Season: Seventh
Most Runs: Clay McCartney (377 runs at 41.89); Imran Laghmani (250 runs at 41.67)
Most Wickets: Nimesh Kariyawasam (22 wickets at 19); Imran Laghmani (12 wickets at 15.08)
In: Sanjaya Rodrigo (Overseas), Austin Heldt (Endeavour Hills), Sohail Sadiq (Endeavour Hills), Patrick Bond (Monash University), Declan Fowler (returning)
Out: Nimesh Kariyawasam (Buckley Ridges), Nanayakkarawasam Kalumshehara (St Mary’s), Buddhika Janith (Taylors Lakes), Rahi Arn Cox (WA)
Home Base: Lois Twohig Reserve, Dandenong North
Turf 1 premierships: 2
Most recent premiership: 1997/98
First match: vs St Mary’s, Lois Twohig Reserve
More: The Maroons showed some promising signs late last season, and will be desperate to continue on with the late season momentum and become a genuine finals smoky. There’s been some movement, with the club losing a trio of bona-fide first XI players in Nimesh Kariyawasam, Raveen Nanayakkara and Buddhika Janith, but have recruited brilliantly with the experienced Sanjaya Rodrigo, an ex-First Class batter who has played a stack of cricket in the UK signing on in a playing-coaching capacity to help bolster the squad on and off the field, ex-Premier Cricket opener Austin Heldt returning from Endeavour Hills to give some class up the top, while Sohail Sadiq comes with him and Declan Fowler has returned. It provides a strong mix with the likes of gun skipper Clay McCartney, star all-rounder Javed Khan and Imran Laghmani all set to go around again. Khan in particular looms as a real x-factor for the Maroons if they’re to climb up the table. There’s plenty of reasons to be bullish about the Maroons, who will be looking for improvement underneath but have the star power to be a tricky proposition for opposition clubs.
SPRINGVALE SOUTH
Nickname: Bloods
President: Jason Quirk
Coach: Darren Arter
Captain: Paul Hill
Last Season: Third
Most Runs: Ryan Quirk (443 runs at 34.08); Clint Tomlinson (363 runs at 36.30)
Most Wickets: Jarryd Straker (25 wickets at 13.08); Akshat Buch (25 wickets at 13.96)
In: Josh Dowling (Narre South), Jayde Herrick (Langwarrin), Mitch Forsyth (Dandenong), Blade Baxter (Ormond)
Out: Nathan King (Lakes Entrance), Clint Tomlinson (retired), Stephen Hennessy (Keysborough), Tim Ford (relocated), Sam Wetering (Dandenong)
Home Base: Alex Nelson Reserve, Springvale South
Turf 1 premierships: 8
Most recent premiership: 2010/11
First match: vs Buckley Ridges, Park Oval
More: Talk about impressive recruiting. The Bloods are ready and raring to push for their ninth Turf 1 flag and first since 2010/11 this season after seriously bolstering their list. Adding ex-Victorian and BBL paceman Jayde Herrick, who was most recently playing with Langwarrin, former Casey-South Melbourne quick Josh Dowling who dominated for Narre South last season, as well as Blade Baxter, the former Premier Cricket all-rounder who is one of the best one-day players in local cricket across the state, as well as returning Dandenong batter Mitch Forsyth makes for some scary reading. The bowling attack is mighty impressive and undoubtedly the most frightening in the association, featuring Herrick, Dowling, Baxter, left-arm spinners Akshat Buch and Jarryd Straker. Add that to gun batter and vice-captain Ryan Quirk, Jackson Sketcher, new captain Paul Hill, Herrick, Forsyth and Baxter and the batting looks well balanced too to be able to produce big scores. Star all-rounder and former skipper Nathan King is a big loss, Tim Ford has given the club great service while Clint Tomlinson’s brief but impressive stint is over, but the Bloods have more than adequately covered their losses.
ST MARY’S
Nickname: Saints
President: Troy Cashman
Coach: Neil Shaw
Captain: Wendyl Pires
Last Season: Sixth
Most Runs: Kusan Niranjana (271 runs at 20.85); Junaid Kari (213 runs at 16.38)
Most Wickets: Kusan Niranjana (24 wickets at 15); Deeshan Vimukthi (17 wickets at 17.82)
In: Raveen Kalumshehara (North Dandenong)
Out: Archie Rajapakse
Home Base: Carroll Reserve, Dandenong
Turf 1 premierships: 7
Most recent premiership: 2002/03
First match: vs North Dandenong, Lois Twohig Reserve
More: The Saints enter the Turf 1 season as one of the great unknowns, and an exciting team to keep an eye on. The group was ultra-competitive last season, perhaps better than its sixth position and three win season suggests, and will be hoping it can take another step and not just make up the numbers. There’s been little movement in or out as the club looks for stability, with Raveen Kalumshehara coming in to help bolster the batting after the loss of Archie Rajapakse, with Wendyl Pires to replace Rajapakse as skipper as the club looks to forge forward. The Saints are excited about what Corey Ely can produce with a full season expected from him, with his economic and smart bowling in the one-day format seen as a major factor. Deeshan Vimukthi and Kusan Niranjana will be better for the run after impressive debut seasons for the club last season, and will be hoping for other senior members to stand up and really nudge the top-four. All-rounder Niranjana was particularly excellent last season, leading the side for runs and wickets, and with the group continuing to stabilize and build a strong base, is one to really note down as one to watch across the association. A run at the finals is within sights if they can snag some surprise wins.
