It was a solid year for the Under 13s, with the new team Khawaja blending two GBCC sides from the previous season with great success. The boys developed into a tight unit on and off the field, with many of them starting high school together this year. They made the semi-finals and have the potential for more success as they continue to improve. The team has a number of rep players and also a few only in their second year of competitive cricket – but they truly worked great together as a team, enjoying each other’s success and commiserating during the tough times. The boys know they are good enough to beat the teams which finished above them, but more than anything, I can honestly say they are a wonderful bunch of young men who play the game in the true spirit of cricket. There’s no sledging and they show great respect to opposition players and teams. They are a credit to the club and their families for how they conduct themselves on the field.
Khawaja awards 2016-17
Alex Bezuidenhout: Most Improved Player
Alex’s development was a great achievement this season, coming back from the Christmas break a different player to show he has the potential to become a quality fast bowler and terrific batsman. An outstanding year of improvement.
Sam Caparero: Leading Wicket-taker
Sam continues to improve as our opening paceman, taking 14 wickets including best figures of 3/4, but this season he also showed glimpses of his powerful batting potential – scoring 68 in a 200-run partnership with Leo. Also led the sausage eating strike rate.
Rory Delaney: Bowling Award
Rory also showed he is becoming a great opening bowler, taking 12 wickets, plus showing wonderful natural ability in the field and steady improvement with his batting. He has the potential to become a terrific all-rounder in the future.
Eli Hardy: Best Fielder
The captain of the Khawajas led from the front in every game, taking on the responsibility of setting fields and bowling orders. He hit 51 in one match, but even better were some of his other important innings, batting with the lower order when we’d lost early wickets. Again unlucky with the ball, with his spin creating endless opportunities.
Peter Lane: Most Improved fielding
Peter had a solid second year of cricket, hitting his highest score and bamboozling some good batsmen with his bowling, which improved with every game. His fielding also improved in leaps and bounds, taking his first catch this season.
Lachlan Morris: Player of the Season
Lachlan again led with the way for the team with bat and ball, hitting an agonising 99 not out in one match and another half century during the season. He also took 10 wickets, and held on to some amazing catches that had to be seen to be believed
Harry Paag: Best All-rounder
Another good year for Harry, whose ever improving leg spin collected 19 wickets with best figures of 5/7. He’s learning the mysterious art quickly and has developed a dazzling array of deliveries. He also managed a top score of 56 (we think or maybe it was Max as the scorers were confused who was who).
Max Robertson: Wicket-keeping Award
Max is an integral part of the team in all facets of the game, taking vital wickets when needed, opening the innings and seeing off the new ball against some top pacemen and also keeping wicket with great style. He also may have or may not have scored a half century in one match.
James Segon: Most Improved Bowler
James is an important member of the team, not just for his deadly accurate medium pace, which collected him a number of wickets as he took the pace of the ball this season, but also he’s the main chirper in the field, but rather than sledging he’s endlessly motivating his teammates. Worth his weight in gold.
Leo Testoni: Bowling Award
Leo had a lean year with the ball, only collecting a handful of wickets, but maintained a great economy rate. However his fielding was terrific, with a number of run outs and his highest ever score of 77 not out with Sam as part of a 200-run opening partnership was one of the team’s highlights of the season.
Ben Watson: Wicket-keeping Award
Ben missed half the season due to a devastating slip and slide injury, but when he came back after the Christmas break he made up for lost time, showing great improvement with bat and ball and also showing he’s a great team man as well – coming along to cheer on the team when he broke his finger early in the season and slotting back into the team with ease.
Sam Wootton: Most Improved All-rounder
Sam is another great team player and also had a terrific year, developing into a fine paceman, hitting his highest ever score and showing great improvement in all aspects of the game the longer the season went on. Another player to watch in the future.
Coach: Vince Hardy
Manager: Shane Wootton
The GBCC Chronicle 