Quickie Matt Fotia’s bumper season in Premier Cricket has him vying for a Victorian contract

Ringwood’s Matt Fotia has surged past 40 wickets for the season in Victorian Premier Cricket and his captain, one-time Vics player David King, is adamant another level of cricket is within his compass.

Fotia has played two state second XI matches this season, against South Australia and Tasmania.

Teammates remarked on his pace as he collected 2-10 off 14 overs and 2-50 off 19 against the South Australians.

In 15 matches for Ringwood this season, the right-armer has grabbed 42 wickets at 14.2, highlighted by a haul of 7-54 off 23 overs against finalist Prahran.

He took 3-54 off 23.2 overs against Prahran in last weekend’s elimination final.

“He’s the best bowler in the competition by a fairly big stretch, in my opinion,’’ King says.

“Incredible effort to take more than 40 wickets this year with a large part of it being one-dayers.

“He could very well end up with 50 wickets if we go deep into finals.

“It’s the best I’ve seen him bowl. He’s bowling fast, he’s bowling accurate. Even on the weekend, on a flat wicket, he was able to adjust his plan and we bowled a lot of short-pitched stuff, which worked well for us.

“He’s bowling up a storm. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vics are looking at him, because blokes who bowl 140kmh don’t grow on trees.’’

King adds: “We wouldn’t be into a semi-final without him, that’s for sure.’’

Fotia joined Ringwood as an Under 16 player in the 2010-11 season and made his debut in the first XI four years later.

The Wonga Park product came to attention with 28 wickets at 17.93 in 2015-16.

Two years ago he went to Tasmania and played club cricket for Glenorchy, taking 28 wickets at 23.39.

His return to Ringwood last season was marred by injury – he tore a pectoral muscle – and he played as a batter in the third XI.

Fotia’s re-emergence has been a highlight of Ringwood’s season, according to King.

“He’s like a recruit for us,’’ he says.

“He’s always been fast, but he probably bowled a bit too short. Now he’s got that same pace and he’s bowling in better areas and he’s getting top-order wickets. It’s exciting.’’

King says the Rams have fingers crossed that Fotia and batter Tom Rogers can pick up Victorian contracts for next season.

Melbourne Stars player Rogers has hit 639 runs at 63.9 for Ringwood this season, with two centuries.

The left-hander has hit nine Premier tons in the past years, including a blazing 200 not out in a 50-over match against Prahran.