STRATHFIELDSAYE has an extra reason to finish its BDCA season on a high note, with two of the club’s greats to celebrate milestones.
David Rosaia will play his 200th and final BDCA first XI game, while Greg Lyon will play in his 200th club match.
The duo have been part of the BDCA furniture for two decades.
Rosaia started his first XI career with the now defunct Cailfornia Gully in 1992, was a key player at Bendigo for several years, before joining Strathfieldsaye.
In his 19 seasons in Bendigo cricket, Rosaia has been captain-coach in nine of them.
Rosaia’s coaching reached its pinnacle eight days ago when he led Bendigo to victory in the provincial division of Melbourne Country Week.
On the field, Rosaia has been one of the most consistent all-rounders in Bendigo cricket in the past 20 years.
He has scored 3862 runs, including one century and 20 half-centuries.
With the ball, he’s taken 206 wickets at an average of 23.6, including a best haul of 7-45.
Three club champion awards and a regular BDCA representative also sit high on Rosaia’s CV.
The one thing missing - a first XI premiership.
“We had a very good side at Bendigo in 1999 and 2000,’’ Rosaia said.
“We should have beaten BUCCs in the grand final (2000) and the other year we didn’t make the grand final.’’
Rosaia will step away from cricket next season, but plans to return to Strathfieldsaye the following season.
“I want to keep playing, but it won’t be first XI cricket,’’ he said.
Lyon has one over his long-time team-mate Rosaia.
The wicket-keeper batsman was a key player in Strathfieldsaye’s one and only first XI premiership in 2001.
“Winning the flag is certainly the highlight of my career,’’ Lyon said yesterday.
Lyon started his career with Strathfieldsaye in 1987-88, but had a three-year stint in Queensland.
He’s made 3903 runs at an average of 22.8 and been involved in 350 dismissals with the gloves.
The all-rounder also boasts nine wickets with the ball.
“One of those wickets got me over the line to win the club championship,’’ Lyon said.
“I was five points behind Kristian Rogers and I managed to get (Kangaroo Flat’s) Chris Welsford out which put me ahead by five points.’’
Lyon has had a decorated career with the Jets.
He captained the club for three years, coached for two years, was club champion in 1997-98, is a multiple winner of the club batting award and represented Bendigo at four country week carnivals.
The 37-year-old has no plans to retire.
“The body is still feeling pretty good and the club is heading in the right direction with some great talent coming through,’’ he said.
Lyon is hoping the Jets can finish a disappointing season with a victory.
“It would be great to give Rosey (Rosaia) a win in his 200th against one of his old clubs,’’ he said.
“When I played my 100th game we beat Bendigo, so hopefully, we can do it again.’’
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