By David Nagel
Only three clubs have claimed the WGCA Twenty20 Kookaburra Cup with Kooweerup looking to continue that 11-year tradition on finals day at Pakenham’s Toomuc Reserve on Sunday.
The Demons will be the sole representative of an exclusive group; with Cardinia and Tooradin the only other teams to have tasted success in the newest, shortest, and most exciting format of the game.
Tooradin won the first tournament in 2005/06 and the most recent title last year, with Cardinia (six titles) and Kooweerup (three) sharing the tasty, meaty bit of the sandwich.
But the Demons face a new challenge this year, with Devon Meadows, Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield forming the silky quartet set to lock horns in Sunday’s finals series.
The Demons take on Devon Meadows in one semi-final on oval-1, with Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield colliding in the other semi on oval-2.
The two winners will meet for the title of Twenty20 champions of West Gippsland. It’s a title that has narrowly eluded Upper Beaconsfield in the past, the Maroons three times runners-up after losing to Cardinia in 2009 and the Demons in 2012 and ’15.
One of the Maroons’ greatest ever players, leg-spinner Scott Pitcher, believes the time could be right for the Maroons to finally hoist some silverware.
“We’re pretty good at the short form of the game but we just can’t seem to get across the line,” Pitcher explained.
“Every player is in the game, they’re fun to play, and it’s great for the club to once again make it this far into the tournament.”
The Maroons – currently fifth on the Premier Division ladder – are the only member of the remaining four not certain of playing finals in the regular season. Kooweerup and Pakenham are top two in Premier Division while the Panthers are the runaway leaders in District.
“Look, we haven’t given up hope of playing finals this year but we’re no shoo-in like the others and hopefully that makes it a bit more important to us,” Pitcher said.
“The other teams are all quality but we firmly believe our best cricket will match them on the day. We’ve always played this format of the game well and we understand what’s required
to win.”
The Maroons’ understanding of the short form was nurtured early in the piece, with former first-class player Shawn Flegler imparting his knowledge during his time at the club. Flegler was heavily involved with the Melbourne Stars in their initial years in the KFC Big Bash and brought a level of professionalism to Upper Beaconsfield.
“He was fantastic with what he brought to the table,” Pitcher enthused.
“Just little things like where to bowl to batsmen to concede a single, not a four, and how important fielding was before many people recognised it. I think the Twenty20 game has really improved local cricket and I think the association (WGCA) should genuinely consider scheduling some games in the regular season.”
This weekend looms as one of the most exciting finals series on record, with marquee signings from all four clubs set to make an impact.
Devon Meadows has batsmen Chris Benedek from Casey-South Melbourne, Kooweerup its former junior and now Dandenong star Adam McMaster, while Pakenham has signed former Victorian-Under 19 representative Dale Tormey to get it across the line.
But the Maroons, well they lack nothing in comparison. They have former Sri Lankan one-day international star Kaushalya Weeraratne in their line-up, the man who once rewrote the record books with the fastest domestic half-century, coming off just 12 balls.
“He’s a great player,” Pitcher explained.
“He used to bowl fast but relies on his batting more these days. He’s one of those blokes who you think is on 20 but he’s already on 40. Hopefully he can put that international experience to good use on the weekend.”
The semi-finals begin at 11.30am with the grand final scheduled for 3.15pm. There will be a jumping castle for the kids and prizes for the first spectactor catch taken in either innings of the grand final.
KOOKABURRA CUP
– PAST WINNERS
2005/06 Tooradin
2006/07 Cardinia
2007/08 Cardinia
2008/09 Cardinia
2009/10 Cardinia
2010/11 Kooweerup
2011/12 Cardinia
2012/13 Cardinia
2013/14 Kooweerup
2014/15 Kooweerup
2015/16 Tooradin
