In-form Cranbourne all-rounder Shane Murdoch sends one down against Doveton in Turf One Dandenong District Cricket Association action at Casey Fields on Saturday.By Marc McGowan
THERE comes a time in some athletes’ lives when they must decide whether to take their chosen sport more seriously.
Cranbourne all-rounder Shane Murdoch, 22, faces exactly that dilemma as he considers whether to join Victorian Premier Cricket club Casey-South Melbourne full-time next season.
Murdoch first experienced the elite state district competition when he joined Frankston-Peninsula as an 18-year-old in a bid to make the Victorian under 19 side.
Unfortunately, the Crib Point resident was not successful, but after setting the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) alight with both bat and ball in the past two seasons, Murdoch is back on the radar.
He was an invitational player in the Swans’ Twenty20 campaign, which wrapped up last week, and was pivotal in Casey-South Melbourne’s ascension to the semi-finals.
It was almost even more fruitful, with Murdoch joining in an unbeaten 148-run stand alongside Swans captain Michael Hansen that saw them defeated by a solitary run.
But his aggressive hand of 51 not out from just 46 balls – as well as his brilliant form throughout the tournament – has Casey-South Melbourne courting him for the 2008-09 season.
“I liked it a lot. They’re good blokes and they supported me,” Murdoch said.
“It makes it good when people support me and have faith in me. I’m not sure yet about next season.
“It just depends on how it pans out.”
Despite the Eagles struggling in the Turf One competition, Murdoch has smashed 215 runs at an average of 35.8 and snared 11 wickets at 27.3.
It follows a blockbuster rookie season in the DDCA, where he led Cranbourne with a batting average of 66.25 and claimed six wickets.
Previously, Murdoch played for almost a decade with Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association club Balnarring and enjoyed much success, collecting six premierships along the way.
His other major achievement was winning player of the series for the South East Country Sharks in the Under 18 Coca-Cola Cup.
Although he was an extremely talented player in his youth, Murdoch believes he has become a better cricketer as he has become more experienced.
“I used to be a bowler that liked to hit the ball, but as I’ve grown up I’ve got some patience and can build an innings instead of just hitting boundaries and being in and out quickly,” he said.
“I’ve learnt to work with my partner down the other end and build something with them.”
But, according to Murdoch, his individual feats pale in comparison to raging Wookey Medal favourite and Berwick all-rounder Alex Roberts – a player he describes as the best he has seen.
“Alex Roberts is an all-round talent. He’s got (the Wookey Medal) in the bag,” he said.
