Strathdale's Linton Jacobs.
With the Bendigo District Cricket Association home and away season complete, LUKE WEST selects his Team of the Year.
1. Scott Johnson (Golden Square) – another outstanding season with bat and ball for the veteran. Averaged more than 50 batting in the top-order, took 27 wickets with his spin and won the Bendigo Advertiser-Bicknells Player of the Year award for the third time in the past four years.
2. Travis King (Strathdale-Maristians) – could be seen as a bit of a conflict of interest having one of the Addy’s sports writers in the Addy’s Team of the Year. However, King’s 585 runs at an average of 58.5 certainly warrants selection in the team.
3. Heath Behrens (Bendigo United) – another team of the year selection for the star Redbacks’ No.3 batsman. Made 730 runs with the competition’s best average of 60.8 and is now equal with Wayne Walsh for the most centuries in the BDCA with 24.
4. Ryan Grundy (Huntly-North Epsom) – took his game to a new level this season, blasting a competition-best 785 runs at an average of 56.1. Made three of the four highest scores of the season with his 201 n.o., 176 and 159.
5. Cameron Taylor (Strathdale-Maristians) – an up-and-down season for the reigning BDCA Cricketer of the Year, but with 525 runs and 21 wickets with his leg-spin, earns selection after much debate. The fact he was the BDCA’s most dominant batsman at Melbourne Country Week with 233 runs helped his cause.
6. Linton Jacobs (Strathdale-Maristians) – had a fantastic season leading the Suns to a perfect 14-0 record, while also topping the side’s runs with 588 at an average of 49.0 and taking 30 dismissals as keeper. His work as captain of the Suns earns him the skipper duties with this team also.
7. Adam Burns (Kangaroo Flat) – again showed why he is one of the elite all-rounders of the competition with his double of 545 runs and 33 wickets. Has to be a massive chance to win a second BDCA Cricketer of the Year next week.
8. Andrew Smith (Eaglehawk) – super performance from the veteran all-rounder, who finished second in the Bendigo Advertiser-Bicknells Player of the Year Award. Captured 34 wickets an average of just 11.8 and scored 461 runs at 30.7.
9. Sam Johnston (Huntly-North Epsom) – missed two games with a hamstring injury, but still took 36 wickets at an average of 19.1. Was a workhorse for the Power, bowling 259 overs for the season.
10. Ben DeAraugo (Strathdale-Maristians) – the Suns’ paceman passed the 40 wicket-mark for the first time in his career, ending the home and away season with 42. Started slowly, with just four wickets in his first three games, before hitting top gear. Not bad with the bat either, with 195 runs at an average of 24.4.
11. Marcus Smalley (Bendigo United) – by far Smalley’s best season for the Redbacks with 35 wickets. Took at least one wicket in 13 of his 14 games, including 11 in rounds two and three against White Hills and Strathfieldsaye.
12. Greg Lyon (Strathfieldsaye) – given the 12th man duties to the veteran keeper-batsman. Made 531 runs at an average of 48.3 opening, and produced one of the highlights of the season when – in what was his 197th game – scored his maiden century against White Hills in round eight.
