It’s almost time to put the bat down for the Christmas period with the Haisman Shield about to take leave for the silly season.
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Two months have passed since the first ball was bowled and a stack of players have broken away from the pack and shown demonstrations of power with the leather, willow or both.
From match-winning cameos to consistent conduct, the race to the Lightfoot Medal is by no means a one, two or even three-horse affair at this stage of the competition.
And so, we at The News have knocked our collective heads together to whittle the 214 total players to feature in the Haisman Shield this season down to a list of the top 20.
1) Rehan Bari (Shepparton United)
Statistics: 423 runs @ 84.6, nine wickets @ 24.2
Bari has been United’s blazing blade and a heavy contributor with the ball, currently standing peerless at the top of the Haisman Shield individual charts. The Pakistani all-rounder is enjoying his best season in the Cricket Shepparton comp and if his current trajectory continues, he may just take home his maiden Lightfoot.
2) Mark Nolan (Nagambie)
Statistics: 129 runs @ 43, 22 wickets @ 14.1
Nagambie’s captain fantastic has favoured the ball more than the bat this season, popping up precisely where the Lakers have needed him. His 7-43 at the weekend gave an inkling of the mood ‘‘Barney’’ is in this season, with the two-time Lightfoot medallist not hurting his chances of adding a third to his cabinet.
3) Jesse Trower (Waaia)
Statistics: 12 runs @ 12, 20 wickets @ 8.9
One of the best in the business when it comes to taking wickets this season. Waaia’s fast bowling wiz best showcased his prowess with a 12-wicket match against Tatura. The Bombers sit top for a reason and Trower’s power to not only pick up scalps, but do so efficiently, has been crucial in the opening bowling slot.
4) Kyle Mueller (Kyabram)
Statistics: 403 runs @ 45.6, one wicket @ 12
Despite Kyabram’s patchy start, Kyle Mueller has continued to do what Kyle Mueller does. The Redbacks’ rampant all-rounder has three 50s to his name, including a knock of 158 against Euroa, which stands as the highest Haisman Shield individual score in the 2023-24 campaign.
5) Tim Arnel (Numurkah)
Statistics: 255 runs @ 63.8, eight wickets @ 23.3
Arnel arrived in top form fresh off a fruitful English summer with Chessington CC, flying in primed to wreak havoc in the Haisman Shield. He has not disappointed. With two half-centuries and a ton, Arnel has anchored the Blues’ middle-order superbly.
6) Paul Parsons (Kyabram)
Statistics: 326 runs @ 54.3, one wicket @ 12
If you had predicted this list at the start of the season, not many would’ve reserved Paul Parsons a spot. Yet, the evergreen opener has come in to his own with a haul of runs most Haisman Shield players would envy right now. A ready-made run-scorer at the top of the order is invaluable and Parsons has been exactly that for Kyabram.
7) Charlie McLay (Kyabram)
Statistics: 138 runs @ 23, 17 wickets @ 19
Charlie has been the most in-form of the McLay brothers and, like Mueller, has been Mr Dependable for Kyabram. He smacked a 50 against Nagambie and reeled off a five-for against Katandra on the Saturday just gone, looking dangerous whenever he has the new ball between his fingers.
8) Brayden Carey (Waaia)
Statistics: 291 runs @ 48.5, eight catches, three stumpings
Waaia’s opening bat and wicketkeeper is quietly flying under the radar this season. His classy 128 in the previous round against Northerners came after two half-century knocks. The ex-Waaia skipper has also impressed behind the stumps, with eight catches and three stumpings to his name.
9) Felix Odell (Old Students)
Statistics: 275 runs @ 38, three wickets @ 16.7
Old Students have endured a muddled first half of the season, but Odell keeps on trucking. A trio of half-centuries, the latest of which was vital in securing his side’s only win of the season, have been the feather in Odell’s cap.
10) Louis Sabbagh-Holt (Kyabram)
Statistics: 56 runs @ 18.7, 18 wickets @ 14.2
It takes more than a headband to contain Louis Sabbagh-Holt. He dumbed down his talents when joining Kyabram, but has transformed into the Haisman’s joint second most prolific bowler. The Englishman’s 7-77 in a win over Central Park-St Brendan’s sent a shot across the bows: Sabbagh-Holt is here to play.
11) Stu Turner (Northerners)
Statistics: 159 runs @ 28.7, 11 wickets @ 18.7
12) Mohammad Shahid (Old Students)
Statistics: 132 runs @ 20.8, 14 wickets @ 18.2
13) Ethan Baxter (Central Park)
Statistics: 129 runs @ 64.5, 13 wickets @ 17.5
14) Blake Armstrong (Tatura)
Statistics: 129 runs @ 11.3, 13 wickets @ 21.2
15) Josh Sidebottom (Northerners)
Statistics: 39 runs @ 11, 15 wickets @ 18.7
16) Luke Zanchetta (Mooroopna)
Statistics: 51 runs @ 51, 13 wickets @ 10.5
17) Hadleigh Sirett (Katandra)
Statistics: 170 runs @ 40.3, five wickets @ 18.2
18) Joel May (Mooroopna)
Statistics: 93 runs @ 23.3, 10 wickets @ 14.7
19) Raguvaran Aravinthan (Numurkah)
Statistics: 104 runs @ 20.8, eight wickets @ 15.6
20) Jayden Armstrong (Tatura)
Statistics: 228 runs @ 22.9, six wickets @ 51.5
Senior Sports Journalist