Cricket
28 March, 2026
Our HCA team of the year
The Horsham Cricket Association 2025-26 season was arguably one of the best yet, with the introduction of new teams and players helping to produce high-quality cricket all year. To celebrate the season that was, Wimmera Mallee News has debated and discussed who we thought the best 12 players in the competition were
With the talent in the association close to an all-time high, it was a tough task, but ultimately, here is our HCA team of the year.
1. Brad Alexander (West Wimmera)
Who better to open the batting than the league-leading batsman and Cec Hopper Medallist.
Including the finals, Brad Alexander totalled 686 runs at an average of 62.36, hitting three centuries across the season, including an incredible match-winning knock of 124 not out against Donald Jeffcott.
The Warriors opener also showed his class in the field, taking 16 catches and picking up 13 wickets with his spin bowling.
2. Aiden Graveson (Swifts-Great Western)
The Combine skipper made his mark in his first season in the HCA, finishing with 438 runs at an average of 31.29, including four half-centuries.
Graveson’s aggressive batting was often a game changer, including an extraordinary 67 not out off 40 balls in the last round to help lift the Lions into the final.
3. Dylan Ruurds (Donald Jeffcott)
The top order batsman immediately put the competition on notice when he opened the season with 68 runs off 48 against Laharum in the opening round.
Ruurds consistently produced in the top order, finishing the season with 411 runs at 34.25.
4. Zac Marrow (Swifts-Great Western)
The all-rounder was Mr Do-it-all for the Lions, scoring 414 runs at 37.64, taking 27 wickets at 14.70 and taking 16 catches, both with and without the gloves.
Marrow’s spectacular season was highlighted by a top score of 109 against Lubeck Murtoa, as well as match figures of 10/81 against St Mary’s.
5. Matthew Combe (Noradjuha Toolondo Bullants)
One of the competition’s leading cricketers for numerous seasons, Combe had another standout year, finishing with 403 runs and also taking 29 wickets.
Combe’s ability to win a game with either bat or ball makes him an obvious selection.
6. Koby Westerland (wicketkeeper, Donald Jeffcott)
One of the many talented keeper-batsmen in the competition, Westerland was given the nod after hitting 376 runs at 31.11, including a top score of 80 against the Warriors.
Westerland was also reliable behind the stumps, taking 13 catches and a stumping.
7. Nathan Alexander (captain, West Wimmera)
The Warriors skipper produced the best individual performance of the season, hitting 230 runs off just 126 balls in a one-dayer against St Mary’s.
Alexander also proved yet again that he is the most feared bowler in the competition, producing 35 wickets at 7.86, including season-best figures of 6/19 against Donald Jeffcott.
Having led his side to the 2025-26 premiership earns him the role as captain.
8. Chaminda Gamage (Laharum)
Moving to the Demons for the 2025-26 season, Gamage always contributed with either bat or ball to help lift Laharum to the semi-finals.
Arguably the best spinner in the competition, Gamage took 26 wickets at 10.73, including a 10-wicket haul against the Mudlarks, while also scoring 284 runs across the season.
9. Tony Caccaviello (Noradjuha Toolondo Bullants)
The Bullants skipper had an outstanding year with the ball, taking 33 wickets at an average of 10.88.
Having Caccaviello come in at nine undersells how impactful he was with the bat but highlights just how talented this team is, as he scored 312 runs at 31.20.
Caccaviello led by example numerous times throughout the season, highlighted by his semi-final performance against Laharum (54 runs, 5/46) to lead his side into the grand final.
10. Jay Couch (Colts)
The left-hand paceman was one of the most consistent performers of the year, taking 24 wickets at 14, and being a valuable lower-order batsman, scoring 149 runs.
Couch’s season was highlighted by a great allround performance against St Mary’s in round four, scoring 50 runs and taking 5/28 with the ball.
11. Lachlan McGinniss (Brim KSH)
While not the quickest of opening bowlers, McGinniss’s nagging line and length consistently proved a problem for the opposition.
Having taken out the bowling aggregate award for 28 wickets at 10.61 during the home-and-away season, McGinniss is more than deserving of a spot and, like Couch, showed he can throw the bat around when required, totalling 178 runs.
12th man: Cooper Anderson (Donald Jeffcott)
Whether with the bat or ball, Anderson was a consistent contributor for the new team, and his all-round ability (264 runs, 24 wickets) makes him a suitable replacement.
There were some tough exclusions to the side, so here are some honourable mentions who were unlucky to miss the cut: Mitchell Dahlenburg, Josh Lees, Daniel Griffiths, Joel Pymer, Josh Colbert, Isaac McPherson, Cameron Newell, Jayden McCartney.
