By David Nagel
There are so many factors to consider when attempting to pick the winner of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) Terry Stephenson Medal.
Named after a long-standing administrator of the formerly known West Gippsland Cricket Association, the medal has become a symbol for individual excellence; being won by some champion players over the years.
There is no better example than last year, when Pakenham superstar Chris Smith added a third ‘Stevo’ to his collection after previous wins in 2015/16 and 2021/22.
Smith hasn’t had the season of 2023/24; but did provide the innings of the summer, making a magnificent 229 not out against Devon Meadows in the recently-abandoned round-13 clash at Glover Reserve.
Those aforementioned factors include vagaries in voting for the award, with Smith’s masterpiece innings one of several magnificent performances that will not be recognised when the winner is announced at the Tooradin Sports Club on Sunday.
Performances on day-one (of two-day games that are abandoned) are not considered for votes; while games in round one, between Clyde and Kooweerup, and Upper Beaconsfield and Pakenham, also won’t be counted after play in their one-day contests was abandoned after one innings.
Taking wickets and making runs in games that don’t go the distance won’t hurt Smith this year; but it may impact the chances of one of the serious contenders for this year’s coveted award.
Kooweerup’s star import, Shiran Rathnayake, also dominated on the opening day of round 13, making a brilliant 160 not out against Upper Beaconsfield.
He was also in contention for votes after making 47 against Tooradin in their cancelled round-six clash.
Rathnayake has been a revelation for Kooweerup this season, but the main challenge to him winning this year’s award – apart from making runs in games that don’t count – may come from within his home club at Denhams Road.
His skipper Chris Bright and star all-rounder Luke McMaster have taken the spotlight away from some of Rathnayake’s greatest performances this year.
In round two, McMaster is a good thing to take home three votes after 66 and 4/26, while Rathnayake is likely to gain two votes for his classy knock of 61 with the bat.
In round three, McMaster made 53 and took 6/17 to once again likely earn best-afield honours, while Rathnayake top-scored with 58 to more than likely earn two.
And the ultimate insult will probably come in round four, where his incredible all-round performance of 6/106 and 102 will probably earn him two votes.
Bright made a sensational 205 not out against Merinda Park; with Cobras star Daniel McCalman also likely to be stiff; making 181 in the same game.
Rathnayake appears likely to poll in three other games, but McMaster may be awarded three in those games as well.
In round eight McMaster made 41 and took 3/16; in round 11 he took 2/40 and backed it up with 65 with the bat, while his round-12 performance; taking 3/33 and making 93…should also earn him top honours.
You don’t even have to think like an umpire to fully believe that McMaster will poll a full 15 votes from the aforementioned five games.
The problem for McMaster…he is not likely to poll any more votes until the current round 14, where his day-one output of 4/36 and 42 has him well-placed to earn a sixth multiple-vote haul from the umpires.
So, what other players can challenge McMaster…who is likely heading for a 17 or 18 vote finish?
THE ‘STEVO’ CONTENDERS
Based on our analysis, Cardinia pair Yohan Arumadura and Alex Nooy – and Tooradin openers Cal O’Hare and Josh Lownds – look the main challengers to a McMaster victory this year, alongside Rathnayake.
Nooy should poll two or three votes in six games this season, while Arumadura could quite easily match that total.
O’Hare looks set to poll heavily in at least five games, while Lownds could be at the pointy end of the umpires’ thoughts on at least a handful of occasions.
Here’s a close look at the key contenders with one-day left to play.
• LUKE MCMASTER – KOOWEERUP
ALL-ROUNDER/QUICK
406 runs at 36.91; 4 x 50s. 24 wickets; 1 x 5fa.
Things never run to plan in these awards, but McMaster’s vote tally heading into the final round of the season appears cut and dry. Has clearly been best on ground on five occasions, and appears to be heading that way half way through round 14. The player to beat!
• CAL O’HARE – TOORADIN
OPENING BAT
501 runs at 55.67; 2 x 100s, 3 x 50s.
The Seagulls skipper should poll maximum votes in rounds one, nine and 10, with also guaranteed votes to arrive in rounds three and five. Failed to fire on Saturday in a performance that may see him fall a little short of the mark.
• ALEX NOOY – CARDINIA
OPENING BAT
464 runs at 51.56; 4 x 50s.
Had a modest start to the season, apart from a nice half-century in round two, but had a purple-patch between rounds eight and 12. Will poll votes in those five-consecutive games, it’s just the number value that matters? Via our calculations; might be one or two behind McMaster coming into the final round of the season, so a big innings this Saturday could be vital.
• YOHAN ARUMADURA – CARDINIA
ALL-ROUNDER/SPIN
253 runs at 23.00; 1 x 50. 20 wickets; 1 x 5fa.
Apart from his 5/5 against Upper Beaconsfield in round eight; it’s not the quantity of his runs and wickets that puts him in contention, more the timing of his performances. Should poll in six games; with twos and threes possible in four of those. Took 4/59 on Saturday to put himself in pole position to once again poll multiple votes.
• SHIRAN RATHNAYAKE – KOOWEERUP
ALL-ROUNDER/SPIN
619 runs at 61.9; 2 x 100s, 2 x 50s. 21 wickets; 1 x 5fa.
On pure numbers, #1 in batting and #5 in bowling, Rathnayake has been the best player in CCCA Premier Division this season. Should poll in at least six games, but, unlike his exquisite batting; his timing hasn’t been great. Huge games from teammates Luke McMaster and Chris Bright might stop him from taking his place at the top of the podium. Made scores of 160 not out and 47 in games that were abandoned and don’t count. Is 17 not out overnight, and could make things interesting with another big score.
• JOSH LOWNDS – TOORADIN
ALL-ROUNDER/SPIN
451 runs at 41.00; 3 x 50s. 15 wickets.
Has been a regular at the top of the ‘Stevo’ leaderboard for a few years now, running third last season behind Pakenham pair Chris Smith and Dale Tormey. His 17 votes from last season would likely win this year’s award; but we doubt he will go that deep this time around. A handful of wickets against Pakenham on Saturday would do his chances no harm.
• ANKUSH RANA – CLYDE
OPENING BOWLER
27 wickets; 4 x 4fa.
Rana has taken more wickets than any other player (27) this season and should poll votes in at least five games. Also took 4/47 in round six; but that performance won’t count due to the game being abandoned on day two. Along with Tyler Evans; the leading chance for pure bowlers. Can he cause some damage against Cardinia on Saturday and really increase his chances?
• TYLER EVANS – TOORADIN
ALL-ROUNDER/QUICK
234 runs at 46.80; 2 x 50s. 25 wickets; 1 x 5fa.
Has nine times taken multiple wickets this season, but Tyler’s timing might be a little off. For example; he took his best figures of 5/74 against Devon Meadows in round four, but Chris Cleef (64 and 7/88) and Lucas Ligt (97) should poll votes ahead of him. By our calculations, he might poll in more games than anyone; but a collection of ones and twos will cost him. Made 40 on Saturday; and a handful of wickets would certainly see him at the pointy end of the votes.
• CHRIS BRIGHT – KOOWEERUP
575 runs at 52.27; 1 x 200, 3 x 50s.
Wombat should poll well in four games, possibly five, and has scores in the 40s in two others that could attract the minor end of the votes. Has a phenomenal year, highlighted by his 205 not out against Merinda Park in round four. Will probably be leading the count after round eight, but six innings without a 50 from that point forward. Likely to finish third in the pecking order for Kooweerup.
• DOM PAYNTER – PAKENHAM
475 runs at 59.38; 4 x 50s.
A bit like Arumadura, Paynter will poll votes in games where his statistics don’t give a true indication of their worth. He played some terrific innings for the Lions earlier in the season, getting his team across the line with gutsy knocks rather than spectacular. Has three votes locked away in round seven (164) and might repeat the dose in round 10 (81)…although Alex Nooy (81) might edge him out by playing in the winning team. Paynter’s teammate Jason Williams might also poll well for the Lions.
TERRY STEPHENSON MEDAL – THE LAST 12 WINNERS
PREMIER PLAYER CLUB VOTES
2023/24 Chris Smith Pakenham 22
2022/23 Dale Tormey Pakenham 22
2021/22 Chris Smith Pakenham 17
2020/21 Jake Prosser Cardinia 16
2019/20 Russell Lehman Tooradin 26
2018/19 Dale Tormey Pakenham 19
2017/18 Jess Mathers Kooweerup 22
2016/17 Mark Cooper Kooweerup 23
2015/16 Chris Smith Pakenham 18
2014/15 Russell Lehman Pakenham 21
2013/14 Aaron Avery Tooradin 15
2012/13 Callum O’Hare Tooradin 17
