Sport
2 October, 2026
Cricket returns this weekend
ROUND one of the Warrnambool Moyne and District Cricket Association premier men’s division kicks off this Saturday with one day fixtures to be played on hard wickets.
At Southcombe Park, Port Fairy will host Nestles.
New to Port Fairy, who finished fifth last season, are spinner Kal Sineth, who crosses from Mortlake, while Vishwa Deemanth joins from Tasmanian club Glenorchy.
Nestles, who finished the home and away season in second place before bowing out in the semi-finals, have added wicketkeeper/batsman Thanura Gunasekara from Jacana among their recruits.
Reigning premier Allansford-Panmure will host West Warrnambool on the Allansford synthetic wicket.
The Gators have added all-rounder Joe Nyikos who will line up against his old club straight away, and teenage wicketkeeper/batsman Josh Campbell who crosses from the Warrnambool CC.
West Warrnambool, who finished seventh in 2025/26, has added Lewis Chard from Warrnambool CC, all-rounder Lahiru Laddusinghe from Melbourne club Southern Rangers and former Russells Creek top order batsman Rukshan Weerasinghe.
Noorat Terang and the Northern Raiders will clash at the Noorat Recreation Reserve.
The Lions, who finished eighth last season, have added new coach Jack Rhodes who has played the last two seasons at Russells Creek and has previous Victorian premier experience with Essendon and Greenvale, and Russells Creek star all-rounder Heshan De Silva.
Noorat Terang also has Tyson Royal returning and has secured promising teenage trio Henry Carroll and Oliver Guthrie (both from Ecklin) and Oliver Delaney (Pomborneit).
The Raiders, ninth in 2025/26, have added English recruit Joe White from Yorkshire club Richmonshire CC, Ashan Fernando from Narre Warren CC and Ryan McMaster-Rowe from Dingley CC.
Warrnambool, who finished 12th last season, will start its campaign against Russells Creek at the Brierly number two oval.
Among the inclusions for Warrnambool are top order batsman Chris Uys from Bendigo club United CC and Riley Chislett who returns after some time away from the game.
Russells Creek finished third in 2025/26 before being eliminated in the first week of finals.
The club has added pace bowler Matt Price who has returned to the WMDCA after a season at Heytesbury-Princetown.
Last season’s runner-up Dennington will play semi-finalist Mortlake at Deakin University’s Hughes Oval.
The Dogs have added Sam Anderson and Izak Fleming to their list, while Mortlake welcome back Geelong CC under 18 player Charlie Mahncke and former division one vice-captain Isaac Wareham who returns after time away from the game.
In the final game, Merrivale will host North Warrnambool at the Harris St Reserve.
The Tigers, 11th last season, welcome English signing Harry Roberts, a top order batsman and new ball bowler.
North Warrnambool, 10th in 2025/26, has not announced any recruits for the upcoming season.
The WMDCA championship division commences on October 10, with division two starting on October 17 and division three, division four and the women’s competitions all starting on October 25.
