WGCA LOWER GRADES
TEAMS OF THE YEAR
By David Nagel
It’s very rare that a sportsman can dominate his or her chosen field to the point where a very large gap exists between those and their nearest peers.
Sir Donald Bradman immediately springs to mind, Babe Ruth, Tiger Woods at his best, while the running of Usain Bolt and the tungsten-trickery of Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor have created records that will stand the test of time.
And the racquet wizardry of Margaret Court, Heather McKay and Serena Williams puts them on a pedestal above all else.
Okay, Merinda Park’s John Cuthbertson and Tooradin’s Luke Adams don’t sit comfortably among that illustrious list of names, but boy, have they dominated the lower grades of the WGCA in 2016/17!
Just seven batsmen made 500 runs or more this season, with Cuthbertson’s 1193 propelling him into an orbit that has never been circled before. Even his harshest critics, of whom there are many, would acknowledge that this is a season of rare and exquisite proportions.
His 360 against Emerald in Round 14 broke the WGCA record, while his 263 against Pakenham and 123 against Upper Beaconsfield completed a rare collection of triple-figure honours.
Luke Adams … well he’s not far behind!
Working on the old adage that a wicket equates to 20 runs, Adams’ 54 wickets for the season put him right on Cuthbertson’s hammer.
Only eight other bowlers claimed 25 scalps or more, with Pakenham’s Terry Smith and Merinda Park’s Corey Moncrieff the only two to join Adams in the class of 30-wickets.
Adams was 35 per cent – or more than a third – better than any other bowler in the lower grades this season! Remarkable stuff.
He averaged 8.07 per wicket, Cuthbertson 91.77 every time he picked up a bat … congratulations to the two outstanding cricketers of the year.
Smith and Merinda Park stalwart, WGCA President, Brett Armitage can fight it out for the bronze medal.
Here’s our take on the lower grade heroes of 2016/17.
