The Eastern Cricket Association (ECA) is about to commence for the second half of the season this weekend, with the Balwyn Saints CC set to continue their excellent form across all five senior grades. The early success has been fuelled by a blend of emerging stars making their mark and seasoned veterans showcasing their class and leadership. As the summer unfolds, the Saints have positioned themselves strongly for a finals campaign, with every team eyeing a spot in the finals when the season resumes in the new year.
First XI
Position: First (W:7, L:2)
Leading runs: Jacques Wessels – 330 runs
Leading wickets: William Spratt – 25 wickets
The Balwyn Saints First XI has been a force to be reckoned with in the first half of the ECA season, showcasing dominance and consistency that sees them sitting proudly on top of the B-Turf table with seven wins and two losses.
In previous years, the First XI have struggled to maintain a well-balanced side. However, their success has been driven by explosive top-order batting, a reliable middle order, and a disciplined bowling attack that has kept opposition teams under constant pressure.
Jacques Wessels has been in scintillating form with the bat, playing a pivotal role in the Balwyn Saints' dominance so far this season. Consistently delivering at the top of the order, Wessels has been a cornerstone of the side's success, combining power and precision to dismantle opposition attacks. With 330 runs scored at an impressive average of 55 and 11 wickets taken opening the bowling, Wessels has shown why he is a vital asset to this First XI team as they maintain their dominance and push for finals glory.
Nothing has been more exciting than the signing of PNG international recruit, Charles Amini. At 32 years old, with 49 ODIs to his name, Amini has shown his class and value to this young First XI team. Only just arriving to the club a month ago, Amini has been a game-changer for the Balwyn Saints this season, proving himself as one of the most dynamic all-rounders in the competition. With both bat and ball, Amini has delivered consistently, showcasing his versatility and ability to influence games in crucial moments. His leadership in partnership with First XI captain Serge Moussi has also been very beneficial for the team.
The additions of Joel Sheldon and Rob Letcher have both made an immediate and significant impact to the team. Sheldon has brought a wealth of experience and skill, contributing consistently with both bat and ball, while also providing leadership and stability to the side. Letcher on the other hand, has injected energy and enthusiasm into the line-up, with many clutch performances with the bat.
But nobody this season stands out more than young fast bowler William Spratt who is by far the quickest bowler at the club. Spratt has been outstanding with the ball this season, establishing himself as one of the key weapons in the bowling attack, polling 25 First XI wickets at the halfway point of the season. Just staggering! His ability to consistently hit the right areas, generate movement, and apply pressure on opposition batters has been instrumental in the team's success.
The First XI have set the benchmark for excellence in the competition. With their sights firmly set on maintaining their top spot, the First XI are well-positioned to carry this momentum into the second half of the season and make a serious run for the title.
Second XI
Position: Second (W:5, L:2)
Leading runs: Navneet Ganesh – 114 runs
Leading wickets: Anhad Marhala – 12 wickets
The Second XI have also had an outstanding season so far, sitting second on the ladder. A wave of young talent and experienced heads has created a well-balanced team that has thrived across key areas. Leading the troops has been former Third XI premiership captain Aaron Jackson. His appointment and promotion to captain the Second XI this season has been nothing short of excellent from the club committee. His organisation, leadership, guidance and love for the club has been evident, which has ultimately helped build a healthy and positive team culture.
Navneet Ganesh, Mat Pinwill and Oscar Torresi have all been influential with the bat, particularly facing the new ball and getting the team off to a steady start. Young superstar spinner Anhad Marhala has been sensational with the ball this season, leading the wickets tally with 12 at an impressive bowling average of 7.67. His consistency to deliver with the ball at crucial times and break partnerships has been exciting to see. The future is very bright for Marhala as he continues to rise up the ranks. His figures of 3/3 (6) against Marcellin OC were a standout performance, especially when the game was in the balance for a period of time. Seeing Marhala thrive in the Seconds is just another example of how beneficial the junior Blasters program has been for the club.
David Perkins and Lucas Gallesio have also been providing the goods so far this season with the new ball, taking important wickets and bowling economically. Since coming into the side, Jonah Dillon has made the bowling attack even stronger, taking six wickets in just three games.
Mont Albert CC who currently sit on top of the E-Turf table are the big challenge and obstacle that stands in the way for the Second XI. If they can overcome their earlier defeat to them this season and put an almighty team effort against them down the track, anything is possible for this great team.
Third XI
Position: Third (W:6, L:3)
Leading runs: Vivek Sreenivasan – 231 runs
Leading wickets: Blair Burns – 13 wickets
The Third XI is sitting third on the ladder in a tightly contested LOC2 competition, which speaks volumes about their resilience and consistency this season. In such a competitive environment, every match holds significant importance, and being in the top three reflects the team's strong performances.
2022/23 Drownlow winner Blair Burns has taken the new leadership role in captaining the Third XI and has delivered in spades. His dedication to his team has been something to admire. Despite having never been a senior captain before, Burns has made game days enjoyable for all team members, with the team culture continuing to grow.
The Third XI have established themselves to be a more predominantly batting side, with the team scoring at least 200 runs from 40 overs most weeks. Balwyn Park is a dream to play on for the likes of Vivek Sreenivasan, Tim Johnston and Hugo O’Callaghan, cashing in on the short square boundaries.
Despite being injured for over a month now, Sreenivasan leads the runs tally with 231 averaging 38.5, followed by Johnston (224 runs averaging 37.3). In just his first year at the club, he has made a name for himself being arguably the teams most valuable batter, constantly scoring big runs each week. Since coming back from a knee injury, O’Callaghan has been in some red-hot form with the bat, averaging 58 runs. He currently has the highest score in the club this season, with an unbeaten 105* runs off just 83 balls against East Doncaster.
When it comes to the bowling, captain Blair Burns leads the charge, finding ways to take one or two wickets per game consistently. He leads the wicket takers with 13 wickets so far this season. Hamish Pym has also chipped in with the ball, with his most recent game including a five-wicket haul. Twin brother of the skipper, Connor Burns has 10 wickets to his name, despite only filling in this year and playing just the four games. Could you imagine if he was playing the full season!
From the three losses the Third XI have had, two have them have come from AYC Harlequins who sit on top of the LOC2 table. They are clearly the team to beat come finals time.
Fourth XI
Position: Seventh (W:3, L:5)
Leading runs: Matt Knott – 171 runs
Leading wickets: Richard Spratt – 11 wickets
All it takes is a couple more consecutive wins for Christopher Watts and his men to be back in contention in the LOC9 competition. The two big wins before the Christmas break were a must for the Fourth XI, where they now sit seventh on the table with three wins and five losses.
By far the toughest job in the club, Watts has managed to fill a side each week and give the opportunity to many young emerging and promising junior Blasters. There have been 28 different players that have played in the Fourth XI which has been a tough challenge for Watts to keep a consistent winning side. Despite the challenges, there have been many positives.
Matt Knott has been the backbone with the bat, averaging 57 runs in the opening position. His leadership and experience have also helped Watts in his captaincy. Coming out of retirement, Richard Spratt hasn’t missed a beat with the bat and ball. 122 runs with the bat and only being dismissed once and 11 wickets averaging 8.73 with the ball. Both Richard and Will Spratt are playing fantastic cricket in their respective teams. Must be something in the water in the Spratt household.
Eight juniors have played in the Fourth XI this season which makes it difficult to win games with kids still developing to the senior standard. However, this exposure and experience is beneficial in the long run and future for the club. A couple more wins to back up the strong finish to 2024 and anything is possible for the Fourth XI.
Fifth XI (Sunday Turf)
Position: Third (W:5, L:3)
Leading runs: Alex Skinner – 180 runs
Leading wickets: Serge Moussi – 15 wickets
There's nothing quite like the fun and enjoyment of playing in the Fifth XI on a Sunday. It’s the perfect team for cricket enthusiasts who are so passionate about the game that they want to play both Saturdays and Sundays. It also offers a fantastic opportunity to get more involvement and test your skills against strong opposition.
No one brings more enjoyment to the game than captain Duminda Yapa. While he is always focused on winning and being competitive, he ensures the experience remains fun and gives every player a chance to shine with either the bat or the ball. The Sunday Turf side has featured 31 different players this season, which can make it challenging to maintain a consistent line-up. However, with five wins and only three losses so far, this hasn’t been a problem yet. As the season approaches finals, expect to see a more settled and consistent starting Fifth XI.
Alex Skinner and Owen Watts have been standout performers with the bat this season, consistently setting the tone at the top of the order. Despite their contrasting batting approaches, their styles complement each other perfectly, creating a solid opening partnership. The highlight of the season so far has been Skinner’s brilliant century against North Dandenong, a knock that truly showcased his class, skill and power-hitting.
First XI captain Serge Moussi, whose passion for cricket knows no bounds, has been outstanding with the ball, showcasing his skill through a variety of clever variations. He has claimed 15 wickets this season at an impressive average of 10.8. Joel Watts has also been a key contributor, leading the attack with pinpoint lines and lengths. His exceptional performance against Glen Iris, where he took 5/22 off 8 overs, was truly unforgettable - one of those moments everyone wishes had been captured on camera. The ever-cheerful Kasun Rajapaksha has been a standout with his spin bowling, consistently deceiving batters with his clever variations.
Despite a few late losses before the break, the Fifth XI remains confident in their ability to bounce back and regain their winning momentum, setting the stage for a strong final campaign.