AT the halfway mark of the 2022/23 Sunraysia Cricket Association, MITCH RODD takes a look at each team in First Division, who has performed well so far and who could be primed for a big 2023.
Gol Gol
(Seven wins, one draws, zero losses, 95.56 points)
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: To go on and win the 2022/23 SCA premiership. No First Division flags have been hung up at Alcheringa Oval since 2011/12 and while they have been close most seasons, an outstanding Mildura Settlers side has often stood in the way. Now featuring a host of stars and with Setts going through a rebuild, the cards may have fallen for the NSW side.
STAR SO FAR: Shac Thomas
It’s little surprise the Jamaican all-rounder features here, leading the competition in runs with 391 and wickets with 19.
Thomas is always in the game and would be the clubhouse leader for the Innes Medal.
BEEN IMPRESSIVE: Aidan Calarco
Has been a solid player over time but is arguably having his best ever First Division season, which included a maiden century and 324 runs at 54.
Jeremy Barnes has looked good in the middle order, while Luke Hickey has also been brilliant with the ball.
BIG SECOND HALF: Nick Jensen
After playing just one match prior to the Christmas, the tall all-rounder is a handy addition for the ladder leaders.
Jensen’s penchant for taking wickets and being economical with the ball could pile on even more pressure to opposition batsmen.
Irymple
(Five wins, one draw, two losses, 76.48 points)
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: To maintain the rage. The Swallows have an impressive all-round list that should see them go deep into finals, and they will be a threat, come March. They already looms as the biggest challengers to Gol Gol.
STAR SO FAR: Ryan Muir
Irymple’s biggest strength is their ability to spread the workload across all players, however big ‘Ryno’ has been on fire opening the bowling for the Swallows.
The 37-year-old has 16 wickets, second in the competition, boasting the best strike rate of the top bowlers with 21.06.
BEEN IMPRESSIVE: Dom Price
Early wickets during the season has Price down as Irymple’s second highest wicket taker behind Muir with 11 scalps.
His haul of 6/13 back in round one was a career best and he forms part of one of the best bowling units in the competition.
BIG SECOND HALF: Mark Thomson
The skipper has hit some form in the last few rounds prior to Christmas, and his all-round ability will be vital.
The side’s leading run scorer with 232 runs, he was cruelly denied a maiden SCA century when a wash out left him stranded on 90 not out.
Nichols Point
(Four wins, two draws, two losses, 72.20 points)
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: To break through for a First Division finals appearance. The Pointers look to be well on the path to making the top four in the top grade for the first time since joining the competition in 2012. A strong batting order and a helpful fixture holds them in good stead.
STAR SO FAR: Shannon Bowen
Quite a few options here but Bowen has been an outstanding addition to the Pointers’ middle order.
Trailing only Shac Thomas in runs, he has 332 for the season, including a century and 90 and an 80.
BEEN IMPRESSIVE: Nick Blacker
An off-season recruit who didn’t gain a lot of attention, Blacker has impressed with two half centuries on the way to 180 runs, inside the comp’s top 10.
The Warrnambool native also gives the Pointers a strong wicket keeping option alongside Englishman Glen Bridson.
BIG SECOND HALF: Kaushik Aphale
A return right before Christmas for the club’s all-time leading run scorer was a huge addition, and he immediately started with 80 and 4/47.
‘Alfie’ adds even more depth to the side with bat and ball and could have a huge say in the back end of the season.
Coomealla Wentworth
(Four wins, zero draws, four losses, 61.82 points)
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: Stay ahead of the chasing pack to book a finals appearance. The Blues have struggled to get the same side on the park each week and have dropped a couple of games they could have won. However if their full complement of players is available for the second half of the season, they remain dark horses to go deep in finals.
STAR SO FAR: Nafis Shaikh
The 18-year-old Englishman came in for the fourth game of the season and has not looked back since.
He has done his chances of being part of the Derbyshire County squad no harm, scoring 264 runs at an average of 66, including three half centuries.
BEEN IMPRESSIVE: Jake Wright
Doesn’t often get the plaudits amongst a very strong Blues bowling unit, but Wright has quietly had a solid campaign.
He is ninth on the wickets tally with 13, taking wickets in all but two games to be a handy depth bowler.
BIG SECOND HALF: Bevan Wade
Already the Blues’ leading wicket taker with 14 scalps, the big hitting all-rounder will play a crucial role during the second half of the season.
He has the ability to break games open and can build on solid foundations set by opening batters.
Mildura West
(Three wins, one draw, four losses, 53.54 points)NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: To force their way into the top four. Mildura West have been around the mark in a number of games, but at times have found a tendency to lose wickets in clumps. If they can solidify their batting partnerships it will go a long way towards making finals.
STAR SO FAR: Chris Williams
The three-time Innes Medal winner is one of the leading all-rounders in the competition and he has led from the front once again.
His century in the final match of the year took the left-hander to 273 runs, alongside 12 wickets with his spin bowling.
BEEN IMPRESSIVE: Charlie Walker
The English import from Bridgnorth in the Shropshore County Cricket League has been impressive with bat and ball at John Hall Oval.
The medium-fast bowler has 11 wickets, third most for West, and 111 runs batting lower down the order.
BIG SECOND HALF: The top order
Changing tact slightly here but if the West top and even middle order can build some significant partnerships, it will go a long way towards a finals tilt.
Coach Williams said as much after their final game of 2022, but they have solid batters down the list.
Merbein
(Two wins, two draws, four losses, 48.08 points)
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: To continue exposing their up-and-coming stars to senior cricket. It’s a long-term view for the Magpies but if they can have some supports set in place to help players like Dillon Furze, Kurtis Fitzpatrick, Angus Smith, Josh Stanley and Riley and Cody Clifford, it could set them up for future seasons.
STAR SO FAR: Hamim Miah
The Englishman has made three half centuries on the way to leading the Magpies’ run-scoring with 188, eighth best in the competition.
Known for his big hitting, Miah has also taken five wickets and can play a role with the ball as well.
BEEN IMPRESSIVE: Dillon Furze
Furze has had to bat up and down the order at different times but has scored an unbeaten half century and averages 32 in his seven matches.
The 17-year-old is a player Merbein believe can help lead them into the future.
BIG SECOND HALF: The bowling unit
Wickets have been hard to come by for the Magpies so far and despite two washed-out games, their 30 overall scalps are almost half as many as next placed Mildura Settlers with 54.
Again, younger talents have been handed more responsibility so if it clicks for them, it could help take them forward.
Mildura East
(Two wins, one draw, five losses, 40.62 points)
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: Keep the improvement coming. Following a winless 2021/22 campaign, East are already in a better position this time around and even though they’ve got just the two wins so far, they’re still just a couple victories away from the top four.
STAR SO FAR: Andrew Ross
The veteran all-rounder has been vital with the ball for East and has had some handy knocks with the bat.
Eleven wickets is the equal most for the team, coming at a very good economy rate of 2.69.
BEEN IMPRESSIVE: Surendra Prajapat
The 16-year-old bowler has impressed across the past two seasons and has become an important member of the East bowling attack.
He has 11 wickets in First Division, as well as six captaining the club’s Under 16 side.
BIG SECOND HALF: Brad Thomas
The former Innes medallist was a huge coup back to the club following multiple seasons with Nichols Point.
The premiership player wouldn’t be overly happy with 116 runs in seven innings, but he can still do some real damage with the bat in the second half of the season.
Mildura Settlers
(One win, zero draws, seven losses, 26.16 points)
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: Try to play the spoiler for other teams. It’s unusual to see Settlers propping up the rest of the competition, but it is a year of transition for the club. No doubt they’d be happy if they can be a speed bump for teams battling for finals.
STAR SO FAR: Brad Purdue
The veteran has been in fine form with the ball this season, regularly featuring around the top of the wicket taking tally.
He sits equal third with 15 wickets, only failing to claim at least one scalp in a solitary game.
BEEN IMPRESSIVE: Keegan MacDonald
Primarily known as a bowler, MacDonald has made a few handy starts as an opening batsman while still being amongst the wickets.
He has 10 wickets from seven games in his first taste of First Division cricket since the 2016/17 campaign.
BIG SECOND HALF: Cameron Kiel
It feels like the young gun has been around for years but he is still a teenager who has shouldered more responsibility this season.
He leads the run scoring for the side with 154, and knocks of 51 and 33 in his past two innings could be a sign he’s ready to go even further in 2023.
