SCA’s best of the past two decades revealed

MILDURA Settlers import turned local hero Richie Wyld heads the Sunraysia Daily Sunraysia Cricket Association Team of the Decades 2000-2020.

The selection panel, chaired by Sunraysia Daily sports journalist Angus Dearlove and featuring former SCA players, umpires and officials, decided the three-time Innes medallist and seven-time premiership player (the 2019-20 Settlers premiership was not included as no player technically played) would lead the side, as well as open the batting alongside the league’s most decorated individual player in Thomas Vadlja.

Irymple and Mildura East star Vadlja is a seven-time Innes medallist, four of those since 2000, and heads out to face the new ball with Wyld.

The middle order of the side is full of class with Brad Thomas, David Hogarth and Chris Williams, while Mark Cleary was an easy pick for the touted all-rounder spot.

Cleary won three grand final MVP awards in a row between 2014-15 and 2017-18 and has three Innes medals (out of his four overall) since 2000 (he also won one in 1998-99).

Brendan Payne of Irymple takes the gloves in the side, but this was a tussle.

Merbein South/Mildura East/Workers Gol Gol gloveman Adam Thomson was close to pipping Payne however the selection committee ultimately went with him.

Of the bowling unit, the seam trio of Matt Cameron, Mathew Walder and Shane Trinick are all as honest as the day is long, while the spinner is more of an interesting selection.

Workers Gol Gol’s Nick Jensen bats much higher for his club, and like many in this side certainly performs with bat and ball, but his bowling record for a tweaker is quite extraordinary.

Since 2008-09, Jensen has 238 wickets at a miserly average of 14.30, going at just more than 2½ runs an over.

Given spinners normally get taken to by batsmen, Jensen’s ability to lock up an end is noteworthy.

To qualify for this team a player needed to have played in seven seasons since 2000, with only their stats and accolades from that period counting.

This ruled out Settlers tyro Jason Morrison, who is in his sixth Sunraysia Cricket Association season, and remains perhaps the unluckiest given his batting record.

Thomas Vadlja (vice-captain)

SEVEN Innes medals overall attest to Vadlja’s calibre.

The four he won since 2000 have him regarded as perhaps the best player of the modern era.

Vadlja could do it all, bat, bowl pace, and in his later seasons he even bowled some spin.

Richie Wyld (captain)

AS well as his individual skill with the bat, and the ball, Wyld is regarded as one of the best leaders of his generation in Sunraysia cricket.

The affable Pom came to our shores as an import but is now entrenched in Sunraysia and one of the most respected cricketers around.

He doesn’t bat as high these days but at his peak Wyld was, and remains, a very difficult man to get out.

Brad Thomas

ONE of the best occupiers of the crease in cricket.

When he’s on song Thomas is an expert at building a long innings, and when he’s out there for extended periods of time the runs follow.

Couple that with his sharp cricketing mind and it’s easy to see why Thomas is so highly regarded as an on-field leader.

David Hogarth

THE Workers Gol Gol (and now Nichols Point) run machine.

Hogarth has built a long career and has done it all, multiple flags, multiple Innes medals.

His record with the ball is handy too, but more than 5000 runs recorded since 2004-05 is a standout.

Chris Williams

ONE of the most stylish batsmen seen in Sunraysia.

When that style is backed up by the results Williams has achieved there’s no questioning his spot in the team.

The Englishman’s efforts with the ball, as well as his ability to lead a side and have them execute his plans are two more feathers in his cap.

Mark Cleary

THERE’S not many players around these days who strike the fear that Cleary at his best does.

Cleary saves his best for finals usually, notably with the ball when he picks up a yard or two, and since 2010 we’ve seen that best with devastating effect.

The former state cricketer is adept with bat and ball and was one of the first picked in this side.

Brendan Payne (wicketkeeper)

HANDY with the bat and superb with the gloves, Payne was also a stoic presence for his club through some lean periods.

While he doesn’t have the team success of others in his side, Payne was well respected around the association.

He must have passed on some good knowledge and craft too, with son Jordan now a premiership captain and wicketkeeper of the Swallows.

Nick Jensen

BUILT like a man who should bowl off a long run, Jensen’s left-arm orthodox is deceptively effective.

Extremely hard to get away, Jensen also bobs up with wickets regularly.

Add in a solid record with the bat and Jensen earns a spot as this team’s front-line spinner.

Mathew Walder

IF anyone could bowl all day, it’s Walder.

An absolute workhorse, at his best the Merbein South man – one of many Walders to make their mark on Sunraysia sport – was ultra reliable and just as effective.

Walder was also a dual sport athlete, representing Sunraysia in football where he was regarded just as highly as he was in cricket.

Shane Trinick

MUCH like Walder, Trinick’s fitness and ability to contribute all day long held him in good stead.

An incredible servant of his club, Trinick’s longevity has set him apart from many of his contemporaries.

Nine club champion awards since 2000-01 show Trinick’s value to his club.

Matt Cameron

A VALUED contributor to his club over many seasons, Cameron is still today one of the league’s leading pace bowlers.

Capable of taking big wicket hauls, Cameron also keeps things very tight – allowing others to cash in on his hard work.

A very popular team man as well, “Dewey” has been a staple for his club and his record earns him a spot in the team of the past 20 years.

Mark White (12th man)

UNLUCKY not to make the final XI, the Merbein South veteran’s record here and away in the city is impressive.

Back-to-back Innes medals in 2005-06 and 2006-07 were followed by premierships in the next two seasons highlight the right-hand batsman’s accolades.

White’s career stretches well before 2000 but he is still a capable player at First Division level now.