We’ve dug deep to preview the 2023-24 Dandenong District Turf 1 season.
Here’s a look at every clubs ins, outs and how they should perform…
BEACONSFIELD
Last year: Turf 2 premiers
Captain: Mark Cooper (captain-coach)
Ins: Thishane De Silva (Rowville), Kevin Seth (Heinz Southern Districts), Yohan Arumadura (Keysborough)
Outs: Callan Tout (Narre South), Lachie Ramage (Kooweerup)
Snapshot: Despite recent Turf 2 premiers immediately falling back down, there’s a sense of expectation on Beaconsfield, it feels different to those gone before it. But that doesn’t mean the Tigers won’t need to improve in all three areas to match the Turf 1 powers. They start their season on the road before the battle of the creek returns in round 2 against Berwick.
Young gun to watch:
Mitch Tielen.
A talented young player that the Tigers expect to grow this summer.
BERWICK
Last year: Sixth
Captain: Jarrod Goodes
Ins: Jarrod Goodes, Corey Bevan, Matthew Robertson (all returning), Jarrod Wills (Dandenong), Matthew Hague (returning to DDCA)
Outs: James Wilcock (Drouin), Andrew Perrin (St Marys Nagle), Damith Mapa (Mordialloc)
Snapshot: The Bears enter the 2023-24 season with a sense of mystery. While they have lost three star players, they’ve welcomed back a number of guns as well. They’ll back their own in and Jake Hancock will appreciate the return of red-ball cricket.
Young guns to watch:
Jarrod Wills, Toby Wills, Mason Binns
Three young players the Bears have big hopes for this summer.
BUCKLEY RIDGES
Last year: Runners-up
Captain: TBC
Ins: Charuka Tharindu (Sri Lankan draft), Roshen Silva (Sri Lanka), Lucas Carey (Bonbeach), Ben Wilkinson (England), James Anson (England), Zafar Sheik (returning from Casey South Melbourne)
Outs: Mahela Udawatte (Hallam Kalora Park)
Snapshot: The Bucks storm into the Turf 1 season with a plethora of ready-made recruits. Expect Roshen Silva to have an enormous output with the bat, particularly with the return of two-day matches. Successive grand final defeats won’t sit well with the Bucks, they’ll be out for immediate redemption.
Young gun to watch:
Cooper Grey
A talented all-rounder ready to make a big step.
HALLAM KALORA PARK
Last year: Preliminary finalist
Captain: Jordan Hammond
Ins: Mahela Udawatte (Buckley Ridges), Charith Keerthisinghe (Phillip Island)
Outs: Sachith Jayasingha (Doveton North), Ryan Hillard (retired)
Snapshot: After falling agonisingly short a grand final berth, and with the addition of two strong recruits, it’s hard to see the Hawks not improving this season. Udawatte will steady up the top order and allow the Hawks to build a base before their hitters make an impact late in the innings. The loss of spinner Jayasingha hurts but they’ve wasted no time in finding another tweaker in Keerthisinghe.
Young gun to watch:
Lachlan Gregson.
Despite being an established Turf 1 cricketer at just (age) 20, the Hawks still expect development out of Gregson.
NARRE SOUTH
Last year: Fifth
Captain: Kyle Hardy
Ins: Callum Nicholls (Glamorgan), Alex Cruickshank (Cambridge), Callan Tout (Beaconsfield)
Outs: Jonty Jenner (South Africa), Zak Wilson (England), Harry Finch (England)
Snapshot: Former first-class star Jeevan Mendis is likely to plant himself at one end for 20-plus overs in two-day cricket, making life extremely hard for opposition batters. While they have finished in the third to fifth mark since joining Turf 1, the Lions feel it’s time for them to take a scalp at the pointy end of the year.
Young gun to watch:
Riley McDonald.
A young wicketkeeper-bat who has Turf 1 experience but hasn’t exploded just yet. He will get plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent at the top of the order this season.
NORTH DANDENONG
Last year: Elimination finalist
Captain: Clayton McCartney
Ins: Jurgen Anderson (Long Island), Randeep Sahota (Springvale)
Outs: Austin Heldt (Premier Cricket), Nimesh Kariyawasam
Snapshot: The Maroons broke through with a finals berth but are hungry for more. The return of Anderson will help, as will the addition of Sahota, but David Bell’s men need their regular starters to capitalise with the bat. North Dandenong often found itself in a strong position before a cluster of wickets derailed its innings last summer. If the Maroons can convert on those starts, it will go a long way in them breaking their premiership drought.
Young gun to watch:
Riley Shaw.
There’s a selection of young players climbing through the Maroons’ grades, but Shaw is showing plenty of signs. He’s a top-order bat who has improved his off-spin.
SPRINGVALE SOUTH
Last year: Premiers
Captain: Ryan Quirk
Ins: Tharinda Wijesinghe (Sri Lankan draft), Stephen Hennessy (Keysborough)
Outs: Nil.
Snapshot: It’s very much a case of don’t fix what isn’t broken for the Bloods. With back-to-back crowns, it’s understandable why they haven’t tipped Alex Nelson Reserve over. Cameron Forsyth isn’t listed as an out, but he will miss the opening half of the season through travel. The addition of Wijesinghe, a right-arm leg spinner, is perfect as spinner Jarryd Straker will need assistance covering the extra overs in two-day cricket’s return.
Young gun to watch:
Brayden Sharp.
He’s a talented bat with limited Turf 1 experience, the Bloods expect him to take his game to a new level this summer.
ST MARYS
Last year: Seventh
Captain: Susa Pradeep
Ins: Sheshan Udara (Sri Lankan draft), Saveen Nanayakkara, Safaris Moahomad, Rasandu Thilakarathna, Danidu Gunarathne
Outs: Ashan Anthony, Kasun Niranjana, Daveen Sasindu
Snapshot: The Saints avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last summer and will be fighting against it again this season. While many would assume their objective should be remain in Turf 1, they internally would like to strive for more. That ambition hinges on the performance of Sri Lankan draftee Sheshan Udara, who is racing against the clock to land at Carroll Reserve.
Young gun to watch:
Rasandu Thilakarathna
Will bat in the top order and bowl handy spin for the Saints this year.
Originally published as Your ultimate Dandenong District Cricket Association Turf 1 season preview
