YARRA Valley Cricket Association cricketers David Lever (Warburton-Millgrove) and Simon Young (Woori Yallock) were recognised for their outstanding seasons when they were named in the VCCL Region 8 (South East Country) Team of the Year.
The team comprises players from Yarra Valley, West Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula and the Ferntree Gully Cricket Association; and is based on home and away performances in Division 1 only.
Ultimately, a Victorian Country Team of the Year will be chosen from the cream of the eight regions across Victoria.
Yarra Valley was represented by Young, a more than handy fast bowler, and Lever who was selected as the all-rounder.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Ferntree Gully District Cricket Association’s Feaver medal winner Johnathan Levell (Belgrave) headed the batting list after scoring 740 runs at an average of 82, while The Basin’s Jake Best was named captain of the team scoring 559 runs.
Ferntree Gully batsman Jayden Bradbury was also rewarded for his 588 runs for the season.
Other notable performances came from Pakenham opening batsman Chris Smith who scored in excess of 700 runs, Cardinia’s off-spinner Dwayne Doig taking 45 wickets and Tooradin wicketkeeper Tom Hussey with 30 dismissals and 640 runs.
Hussey and Best are former teammates at Casey South Melbourne.
Team of the Year (in batting order as per VCCL rules):
1. Johnathan Levell (Belgrave; FTGDCA); 2. Chris Smith (Pakenham, WGCA); 3. Jake Best (C, The Basin FTGDCA; 4. Wade Pelzer (Peninsula OB, MPCA); 5. Chris Brittain (VC, Baxter, MPCA); 6. Jayden Bradbury (Ferntree Gully, FTGDCA); 7. David Lever (Warburton Millgrove, YVCA) 8. Thomas Hussey (Tooradin, WGCA); 9. Dale Irving (Baxter MPCA); 10. Glenn Barclay (Crib Point, MPCA) 11. Simon Young (Woori Yallock, YVCA); 12. Dwayne Doig (Cardinia, WGCA).
