Premier Cricket: Frankston Peninsula loses star bat, but English Test ace in sights
Frankston Peninsula admits losing a leading player to a rival club is a bitter blow, but the Heat are already plotting their comeback with a mystery England international potentially set to join their ranks.
Frankston Peninsula has described the defection of one of its leading players to a rival club as “disappointing’’, but the Heat are already preparing to move on.
Dual century maker Ryan Hammel has decided to join Dandenong to bat in the top order alongside Premier Cricket champion Brett Forsyth.
“We were on the cusp of building something, and he chose to go to Dandenong, and we are disappointed,” Frankston Peninsula coach Peter Marshall said.
Hammel emerged as one of the best young players in Victorian Premier Cricket during a breakout 2024-25 season, highlighted by knocks of 104 against St Kilda and 100 against Melbourne University.
He totalled 565 runs as the Heat rattled home with three successive wins.
The Heat’s top order will take on a new look.
“We will look to find those runs and it opens up some wonderful opportunities for some of our younger players — and we’ve got plenty,” Marshall said.
“We’ve got a number of boys in the emerging squad. We’ve got some really good talent coming through and we’ve recruited some diamonds in the rough, you could call it.”
Marshall said Frankston Peninsula would fast-track its young players as the club looked to build.
The Heat have landed one of the recruits of the off-season, securing Victorian and Carlton all-rounder Xavier Crone.
INTERNATIONAL RECRUIT?
Another big name could be headed to Frankston, with a former England international on the radar.
“He’s going to be out here after Christmas with his County team and he might look to play some games for us,’’ Marshall said.
“We’ll just wait and see. It might happen or it might not happen. He’s a guy who has played Test cricket and played one day cricket for England. I won’t say who it is, but he’s a spinner.’’
EXCITING TALENT JOINS HEAT
Frankston Peninsula newly acquired “diamonds in the rough” include Clayton District all-rounder Harsh Mohade, Fitzroy Doncaster leg-spinner Tanush Nandini, and Tyabb left-arm spinner Lachlan Hose, who took 43 wickets last summer in the MPCA.
Bonbeach teenager Jamie Matheson, who bowls left-arm orthodox spin, is another recruit. “He looks something special,’’ Marshall said.
Victoria Country U17 batsman Oscar Scott-Waters has joined Frankston Peninsula from Prahran. He’s originally from Mt Eliza.
KEY PLAYERS BACK FROM INJURY
The Heat are also set to regain several players from injury, including opening bat Charlie Maxwell, who made a half-century in the First XI last season, match-winning all-rounder Lochlan Scott, Aryandeep Singh, who was on the Vic U17 radar before a stress fracture, Matthew Stone, who was in the Vic U17s, and star batsman Sam Gove, who missed a chunk of last season with an ankle injury in football.
Marshall was bullish about Frankston Peninsula’s chances in 2025-26.
“How are we going to improve? Oh, we’re going to work hard,” he said.
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“We’re going to get better, we’re going to work on our skills. Our improvement will come from having a year in the program, being a year wiser, a year harder, and understanding Premier cricket.’’
BIG TURN OUT FOR FIRST TRAINING SESSION
Frankston Peninsula had 53 players attend its first training session in late July, with 18 apologies with players overseas or involved in programs.
Originally published as Premier Cricket: Frankston Peninsula loses star bat, but English Test ace in sights
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