Revealed: Warrnambool cricket's top 20 players

Weigh up statistics, reputation, experience and impact and opinion will still rule.

At The Standard we're lucky enough to hear opinions of coaches, captains and players every day and that has helped us compile this list.

Number one is a two-time cricketer of the year who does it all.

He leads the association's wicket tally, with 20 to date, and has 239 runs.

The former East Warrnambool captain-coach is known to be a devastating batsman at his best, but has proven his bowling and fielding to be just as game-changing.

He edges two star batsmen who are at the peak of their powers and a bowler who has secured Victoria Country captaincy for the sixth-straight year.

Here it is - NICK ANSELL'S Warrnambool and District Cricket Association top 20.

Oozes quality and is exactly the kind of player Brierly-Christ Church needs to secure its maiden two-day premiership this season.

His statistics are incredible but Murphy's all-round prowess makes him a tough opponent to play against. He bats, bowls, fields and can keep the wicket.

The Bulls' acquisition of Matthew Love has only eased pressure on the all-rounder and Murphy could be in the box seat for another cricketer of the year gong.

Leads by example and is a dangerous short-form player. Averaging 39.8 with the bat and 11.6 with the ball.

Murphy's only downside is that his aggressive playing style opens the door for early dismissals.

Modern cricket, however, favours those who are willing to take risks - with more weight given to short-form matches - and that's right up Murphy's alley.

Arguably the competition's best.

The point to make with Nick Butters is that outstanding leaders don't come along often.

Butters led his team through a tough patch earlier in the season and his form and leadership are largely why Woodford is sitting pretty in second place.

The 25-year-old was number one when I last did this list two years ago and is unlucky not to hold his spot. They say the mark of a good player is one who can stand up in big matches. Butters never fails to do so. He blasted 94 to help Woodford win the one-day premiership in December and is firing on all cylinders.

Victoria Country's first-choice wicketkeeper and the premier gloveman in the association who can hit a ball. Williams' leadership has been on show to help Russells Creek claim the last two premierships but this season will be another test with Brierly-Christ Church the flag favourite.

Leads the association in stumpings, with eight, and has 20 catches behind the stumps. Not hit his best yet this season but can pull a rabbit out of the hat.

Veteran bowler. Six-time Vic Country skipper. Champion wicket-taker. Boyd has been walking the walk for what feels like decades. Boyd traditionally thrives with longer-form cricket and will bank on a big post-Christmas period.

He's already claimed 18 wickets - just three less than his overall total from last season - and he's still stumping batsmen with his bag of tricks.

Has a strong case to be one of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association's greatest-ever bowler.

The form batsman of the competition. Threlfall has long been one of the competition's best but a new role at West Warrnambool - allowing more creative freedom - is paying off. Threlfall, a former Victoria Country representative, has blasted 376 runs already and is averaging an incredible 53.7.

More impressively, three of Threlfall's early knocks were recorded before any genuine sun had hit the region, meaning pitches were more bowler-friendly. Technically strong and a genuine chance for best run-scorer this season.

His record speaks for itself. The former Victorian Premier Cricket captain-coach is yet to really get going this season - niggling injuries haven't helped - but you can't help but feel his best is just around the corner.

Love's experience will be vital for Brierly-Christ Church as it pursues a two-day premiership. His presence will also benefit the Murphy brothers - Nathan and Mark - as they find form.

Showed his class from day dot. The Sri Lankan all-rounder has shouldered more responsibility for Port Fairy this season, and has demonstrated good resilience.

Perera was untouchable in his first Warrnambool and District Cricket Association season, grabbing a cricketer of the year, and has shown resilience to burst out of form slumps since.

Currently fourth for runs and eighth for wickets overall, but isn't yet on track to recapture the form which yielded 40 wickets and more than 500 runs last season.

Classy medium-pacer who is no stranger to the odd wicket. Petherick is Creek's Mr. Reliable. Rarely does the keen athlete let skipper Cam Williams down when tossed the ball.

Petherick's economical bowling has been a cornerstone of Creek's recent dominance and his star should shine brighter after a winter plying his trade in the United Kingdom.

Almost 20 wickets to add to his 46 from last season is too good to resist for eighth place.

Evergreen batsman who is still churning out the runs for Brierly-Christ Church.

Has been needed to shoulder the load quite often in the last few seasons but now has the luxury of support in the top-order.

Murphy has blasted 5256 runs in the last decade and his 310-run total from this season, which has generated an average of 44.3, is nothing short of impressive.

Has been a welcome inclusion for Nick Butters' side. The former cricketer of the year is one of the association's finest batsmen, underpinned by his 107-run century against Wesley-CBC earlier this month.

Told The Standard he was regaining confidence in his rebuilt knee early in December and is one to watch with more two-day cricket on the horizon.

Capable of big scores.

Renowned as one of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association's fastest bowlers and can claim enormous bags of wickets on his day.

Schlaghecke - well suited to longer-form cricket - struck 25 times in the two-day format last season to lift his total to 46 for the season.

The seamer's form - he's claimed 11 wickets so far this season - has been OK but he'll be looking to really impact the scoreboard in the new year.

Meticulous best sums up Alastair Templeton.

The diminutive leader is ultra-professional in his approach to coaching and opposition analysis and is just as talented with bat-in-hand. Templeton's best, on show in a dominant 124-run stand against Russells Creek in 2018, was one of the greatest innings in recent times.

Classy all-rounder who spent a chunk of the season on the sidelines with a hernia complaint.

Elford's pace, ability to score with the bat and fielding skills make him a dangerous proposition for opposing clubs. Will add to his six-wicket, 102-run totals with more match fitness.

The big Tiger has had an injury-interrupted season but his best is still as damaging as anyone in the competition. Had a huge 2018-19, blasting 554 runs. Could be in line for another country week call-up.

Reliable top-order option who was recently described as Allansford's "best bat" by coach Jake Bloom. Has leadership skills and accumulates runs well.

Makes runs consistently on the mammoth Reid Oval. Shoulders a lot of top-order responsibility and is a genuine leader at the Factory.

Tries hard and does it all for Merrivale. The co-captain has stood the test of time and is still a super-consistent performer.

A good leg-spinner who is hard to pick. Just edges Jason Greer based on his unpredictability.

Creek's most consistent performer this season who has only missed cracking 20 runs on three occasions.

Future superstar who will surely rise beyond Warrnambool cricket. Has 201 division one runs and 10 wickets to date as a number three in the Bulls' high-flying side. Ready to make an impact now as a 17-year-old.

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