Blair Burns runs his eye over Beaconsfield ahead of the 2025/26 DDCA Turf 1 season.
BEACONSFIELD
Coach: Mick Cronin
Captain: Andrey Fernando
Last year’s finish: Sixth
Most Runs: Tyler Clark (395 runs)
Most Wickets: Ashan Madhushanka (Walgamage) (27 wickets)
Brand of cricket: As a club, we understand the need to change certain aspects of how we approach cricket. Over the last season, we made significant adjustments to our game strategy and have learned a lot from past experiences. We’ve worked hard during the off-season to find players who not only fit into the team, but also align with our culture. This season, we aim to play attacking cricket, while also slowing things down when necessary. We have also focused on the coaching side of the club and are excited to have Michael “Dunny” Dunstan join us as an assistant coach, along with a strong leadership group to support players and uphold standards.
Key player to watch: Jake Cronin, Andrey Fernando, Ashan Madushanka.
Surprise packet to watch: Mitch Kidd, Hayden Southgate, Salid Malik and Zack Watson.
Ins: Jake Cronin (opening bat/wicketkeeper – Buckley Ridges), Alex Nice (bowling all-rounder – Ashington CC), Sam Read (middle-order batsman/off-spin bowler – Exeter CC), Jas and Karan Singh (Fountain Gate).
Outs: Susantha Pradeep (Collegians), Michael Dunstan (retired), Charlie Johnson (Casey-South Melbourne).
Comment:
Jake Cronin comes across to join the Tigers and will be a key player at the top of the order after winning back-to-back flags with Buckley Ridges. Beaconsfield has picked up some quality international players and will need to build on last year’s three-win season if the side wants to lock in a spot at Turf 1 level. The club has lost Susantha Pradeep, who has made the move to Collegians Cricket Club as the team’s playing coach for season 2025-26. Pradeep was the third-highest run scorer for the Tigers last year in the top-middle order. Beaconsfield started the season well to win two of its first three games last year, but only added one more for the year (two of those wins came against North Dandenong, who have now been relegated). The two English imports, Alex Nice and Sam Read should add some strong bowling options to the side and also bolster the middle order.
PREDICTED LADDER
1. Hallam Kalora Park
2. Buckley Ridges
3. Berwick
4. Springvale South
5. Beaconsfield
6. Dandenong West
7. Narre South
8. Parkmore
TURF 1 FIXTURE
Round 1 (Two-Day): Berwick v Narre South at Arch Brown Reserve, Dandenong West v Parkmore at Greaves Reserve 1, Springvale South v Hallam Kalora Park at Alex Nelson Reserve, Beaconsfield v Buckley Ridges at Perc Allison Oval – all matches to start at 12.30pm.
