By Jonty Ralphsmith
Upper Beaconsfield
2023-24 finish: District premiers
2023-24 leading runscorer: Imesh Jayasekara (532 runs)
2023-24 leading wicket-taker: Kyle Gibbs (24)
After perennially contending in the District competition in recent years, Upper Beaconsfield finally won the elusive flag last season and are ready for the challenge of Premier. After struggling for form early last season, the club got its guns firing at the right time and will be hoping to carry that form into this season. Usual suspects Nick Pastras and Kyle Gibbs have had a strong preseason, while the club will be buoyed by the return of fast bowling allrounder Chad McDonald, who took a year off for travel last year. The continuity of squad members across multiple seasons is set to be another helpful factor as Upper Beaconsfield look to give the better sides a run for their money.
Club quote:
Captain Will Haines: “I think we did everything right last season and it eventually came off so we’re sticking to what we know and backing ourselves in. Our threshold is a lot higher than what we achieved last year despite winning the flag. I think we have the ability to compete with the better teams.”
Ins: Chad McDonald, Sam Wellwood, Cooper Shipp
Outs: None
Prediction: 8th
