The final club preview ahead of the opening match of the KFC T20 Max competition and it covers two strong squad line-ups from the Valley club. CAM VELLACOTT and ELISE HART have run their eyes over the Ashgrove powerhouse and are excited by what they see.
T20 Max Preview - Valley
Men
Coach: Andrew Gode
Captain: Josh Neill
Home Ground: Peter Easton Oval
After a disappointing 10th place finish in last years KFC T20 Max, Valley will aiming high in this seasons campaign. With a strong squad of local talent and some excellent interstate recruits, the boys from Yoku Road will be hunting for silverware.
Valley boast a fierce bowling line up, with Queensland Bulls trumps Mark Steketee and Jack Wildermuth at the forefront. Interstate player Muhammad Irfan Jnr, who is originally from Pakistan and now resides in Sydney, will also be troublesome for batters. Standing nearly 200cm, Irfan bowls good pace off a ‘wrong footed’ action. He has played for multiple teams in the Pakistan Super League and is an experienced operator. Local quicks Donal Whyte, Benji Floros and Flynn Thomasson will provide more than handy support to Steketee, Wildermuth and Irfan.
International cricket superstar Usman Khawaja will again feature this KFC T20 Max. Usman oozes class, and is as good a player as any to watch when he’s in. Expect Usman to open with fellow Brisbane Heat batter Max Bryant, who has made the switch to Valley this season from the Gold Coast.
Bryant's potential can attract scrutiny, and the T20 Max offers him the opportunity to show the public why he warrants selection in Heat and Bulls games. Khawaja and Bryant batting together, with the clean-hitting of interstate recruit Jake Weatherald in the mix, will be must-watch cricket.
Rounding out the Valley batting line-up are strong local players Jack Beath, Josh Neill, Paddy Cotter and Dylan McLachlan.
The Valley list boasts both great firepower and reliable performers across the board. A well balanced local list with the injection of interstate recruits Harry Manenti, Jake Weatherald and Irfan, so don’t be surprised if Valley make it to the final day of the tournament.
Player to Watch- Cameron Boyce and Zanden Jeh – In a side with such strong fast bowling talent, the spin duo of Jeh and Boyce will be the ones to watch. Both bowlers are incredibly accurate and crafty with their abilities. At opposite ends of their careers, Jeh’s left arm orthodox and Boyce’s right arm leg spin give skipper Josh Neill plenty to work with. With the excellent pace battery Valley have, batters could target Boyce and Jeh. However, expect wickets to follow due to their exceptional skills and quality.
Player to watch – Jake Weatherald – He may just be the player to watch across the entire tournament, Weatherald will be looking to start his switch to Tasmania off with a bang. Weatherald is a genuine BBL superstar and will be looking to get back to his brutal best. With over 7000 professional runs, he has been a consistent performer for the Adelaide Strikers and South Australian sides over the last six seasons. Valleys will be hoping to get the left hander into form and at his best across the tournament.
Women
Valley is leaving no stone unturned in their quest for glory. With their sights set on the championship title, the team has undergone meticulous preparation under the astute guidance of coach Leteysha Randall and the spirited leadership of captain Kira Holmes.
The Valley women will be itching to take their campaign one step further this year, after falling short in last year’s Final. At the forefront of Valley's mission is Holmes, whose leadership qualities and dynamic ability with both bat and gloves will be integral to the team's success. Holme’s unity of her players under a common goal, with the assistance of a fortifying influx of recruits, will be Valley’s driving force this year.
The acquisitions of Emma DeBroughe, Angelina Genford, Maisy Gibson and returning local legend, Georgia Prestwidge reinforce the team's batting and bowling arsenals. These additions, which bring BBL and WNCL experience, deliver a fresh perspective and diverse skill sets to the squad, contributing to a versatile and balanced playing XI.
Alongside these recruits are nine returning players, including recently capped Queensland Fire and Australian Under-19 squad allrounder Sianna Ginger.
Their inspiration, Jess Jonassen. Valley will need to continue their strong emphasis on adaptability and match-awareness as the unpredictable nature of T20s will undoubtedly be delivered again this year.
With a proven track record and a renewed determination, Valley is all set to stake their claim for the championship title. Make sure you head to Allan Border Field to witness their Grand Final rematch against the University of Queensland as they attempt to get their 2023 campaign off to a winning start.
Coach: Leteysha Randall
Captain: Kira Holmes
2022 Placing: 2nd
T20 Premierships: 0
Players In:
- Emma DeBroughe (SA)
- Angelina Genford (NSW)
- Maisy Gibson (TAS)
- Georgia Prestwidge (VIC)
Players Out:
- N/A
Players to Watch:
Sianna Ginger – the threatening Townsville prodigy has shown just how troubling she can be to lineups across the globe, and this year will return as a key bowling assassin to Valley’s roster. Her recent impressive form in the U19 T20 World Cup for Australia, twice taking career best figures of 3/13 has laid the foundation for her prospective continued form in the T20 Max. Her ability to adapt her batting style to align with her side’s needs given any game situation and deliver; she might be the linchpin Valley needs to make T20 Max history.
Emma DeBroughe – the Scorpion’s Lauren Esbary Award recipient for most outstanding young cricketer joins Valley as an opening batter standout. DeBroughe’s innovative batting has rewarded her with the SACA T20 Player of the Series and numerous classy innings, putting her name up in lights. This young brimming star’s inclusion will renew the Valley’s lineup, setting them on a path for high honours.