What makes our cricketer of the year winners tick

The newly-crowned Warrnambool and District Cricket Association cricketer of the year is planning a return to the seaside community for a sixth-successive season.

Perera, from the south of the country's capital, Colombo, polled 21 votes to secure the second champion player award of his career on Wednesday night.

It marked a season of statistical and genuine dominance for the 28-year-old. He posted 462 runs, averaging 33, but also chimed in with 38 wickets.

"It's a really good feeling. Finally, I did it. I came runner-up in my third year so I'm really happy to get this one here," Perera told The Standard.

"I'm coming back next year. I'm going back to Sri Lanka in another two weeks to visit my family and friends.

"It's been 18 months (due to coronavirus). I'm excited to go home for a bit."

Perera said the support of Port Fairy's community, including first-year Pirates coach Brian Medew, was strong.

"They've been very good to me, especially in the winter time," he said.

"I've worked with Brian in the winter time and he was really good. He's helped with bowling rhythms and batting.

"Everyone was really involved this season. We had good numbers for training and did well."

RACHEL Sabo knows her way around a cricket pitch.

The mother-of-five spent years plying her trade - last for Dennington's division three men's side - 12 years ago.

When Nestles' Steph Fary and Gary MacLean came calling about a return to the field - albeit this time in the inaugural Warrnambool and District Cricket Association's women's division - she couldn't say no.

And she didn't regret a second of it. Factory romped to a premiership triumph over West Warrnambool in emphatic fashion and cemented their place in history.

"I played a lot when I was younger but Hamilton was the closest women's competition," Sabo said.

"I did play with the men, but that was about 12 years ago. My last game would've been division three at Dennington back then. At that stage, I was the only girl in the competition.

"I just didn't have time after that. When I saw that the inaugural women's season was coming up, I thought, that's a fantastic opportunity. I couldn't say no in the end."

Sabo managed 13 votes which stemmed from her 188 runs and six wickets.

IF Northern Raiders can secure a grand final triumph in their maiden Warrnambool and District Cricket Association campaign, Jake McKinnon will cap a perfect season.

The inaugural Raiders co-captain took out the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association's division two cricketer of the year on Wednesday.

But McKinnon now has his sights set on even bigger things.

He, alongside his brother, Joe, will lead the club into this weekend's division two decider against Dennington.

"It's a good place to be around at the moment," McKinnon told The Standard.

"We're in a grand final - even though I don't know how - but we only just got through.

"We lost six for two and finished on 96. (West Warrnambool) were 1-50 chasing but (we got it done). It's just very exciting to be in a grand final."

McKinnon said he and Joe had juggled captaincy duties well.

"It's been good to do it with him. We haven't played a lot of sport together," he said.

"It's been good to do it with him and (Tim) Bryce."

TIM Cain is bucking a trend.

The Nestles batsman, who took out the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association's one-day prize, isn't a traditional all-rounder.

The best-and-fairest award is typically won by all-rounders due to their ability to grab votes for both batting and bowling.

But Cain, a top-order batsman, let his runs do the talking in 2020-21. He stepped down to skipper Factory's thirds after several seasons in division two and reaped the rewards.

The schoolteacher made three centuries - knocks of 104, 107 and 103 - and came close to a fourth with a 97 against East Warrnambool-YCW.

Cain thanked his father, who watches every game, and partner for their support in winning the gong.

"I came third in the division three cricketer of the year about 15 years ago," he laughed.

"It's been a long time since then. But no, it's been good to play division three with some of the kids and older blokes.

"It's been a bit more fun, a bit more relaxing."

MONDAY is rest night for Flynn Wilkinson.

The talented all-rounder, who played junior cricket for Wesley-CBC and seniors for Merrivale, was recognised as the premier WDCA under 17s player on Wednesday.

Wilkinson trained with Wesley-CBC on Friday night, Merrivale on Thursday, had division one games on Saturday and under 17 matches on Tuesday. He practised with his father, Matt, in the meantime.

He finished with 29 votes overall to claim the extensive victory.

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