The Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association’s 2022-23 Barber Shield season has been exciting for cricket fans, featuring some outstanding individual performances.
With the season drawing to a close, some of the standout players from the season have been named in the Barber Shield Team of the Year.
At the top of the order was Dion Stratford from East Gambier, who has had a remarkable season with the bat.
He was an important player in East Gambier’s title winning season and was a reliable source of runs, scoring 343 runs at an average of 42.88, with a high score of 107, finishing first in the leading runs scorers for the league.
Joining him at the top was West Gambier’s Nuwan Gunawardana, whose brilliant season with the bat saw him finish second in the leading run scorers.
Gunawardanan finished the season with a half century against Penola, scoring 295 runs at an average of 26.82.
At number three was West Gambier’s captain and wicketkeeper Jake Blackwell, who had a fantastic season with the gloves and bat and led his side to a minor premiership.
He finished the season with 256 runs at an average of 28.44 which included three half centuries along the way.
Blackwell also received the league keeping award.
Penola captain Drew Clayfield was also selected in the number four spot, having scored 267 runs at an average of 38.14.
He was a crucial player for Penola this season, which included a knock of 82 not out against South Gambier.
Emerson Marks from East Gambier boasted a stand out season as the league’s third leading run scorer with 276 runs at an average of 27.6.
His back half to the season included three half centuries in consecutive matches.
With the ball he led the wickets for spin bowlers, and finished sixth in the wicket takers with 16 wickets at an average of 11.06.
Bray Stephenson from West Gambier proved dangerous with the bat scoring 239 runs at an average of 26.56.
His best bowling figures of 4/10 against Mil Lel was instrumental in West Gambier’s victory.
Nick Mclnerney was selected after having a standout season for North Sportman’s, having only played six games this season he managed three fifties and a 100.
He was also important with the ball this season, with his best bowling figures of 4 for 25 against East Gambier, taking 14 wickets for the season.
Sam Willis from West Gambier took the number eight spot, having taken 29 wickets at an incredible average of 5.24.
Willis finished the season as the league’s leading wicket taker after claiming nine wickets in the final round against Mil Lel.
He was consistent throughout the season, including taking two 5/fors with best figures of 5/16.
Alex Hentschke from East Gambier was the vice-captain of the side, after being instrumental in his side’s first Barber Shield since the 2007/08 season.
He finished second for wickets in the league with 25 at an average of 10.64, Hentscke was also handy in the middle order with the bat scoring 213 runs including a half century against Mil Lel.
Robert Drenthen from South Gambier has been selected once again.
He scored 244 runs with the bat including a half century, and took 24 wickets with the ball including a hatrick and two 5/fors.
Drenthen was a key player for South Gambier this season, with his best bowling figures an incredible 7 for 4 against East Gambier helping his team to a victory.
Jakob Opie from South Gambier took the final spot in the team, having taken 18 wickets at an average of 10.94.
The 12th man in the team was Jed Sims from South Gambier, who had a good season with both bat and ball, and was awarded the fielding trophy.
