Sam Richardson wins player of season award in Great Southern Cricket Association after thrilling vote count

Experienced Broomehill all-rounder Sam Richardson has won a thrilling vote count to be crowned this season’s champion player in the Great Southern Cricket Association.

Richardson, who was part of Broomehill’s premiership-winning side that broke a 55-year title drought, won by a single vote ahead of teammate Lewis Barritt and Tambellup’s Jedd Herbert at the count on March 25.

Richardson polled 13 votes across the 2021-22 regular season to edge out Barritt and Herbert on 12.

Broomehill’s grand final hero Jack Batchelor and Kendenup all-rounder Darcey Burcham rounded out the top five with nine votes.

Kendenup pair Clinton Gilbert and Scott Hillman, Tambellup’s Flynn Cristinelli and Broomehill’s James Barritt were next on eight.

Richardson took 20 wickets and make 252 runs in his big 2021-22 season, finishing runner-up in both the batting average and bowling average standings.

He was also one of four players from Broomehill’s premiership side named in the GSCA Team of the Season.

Tambellup’s Flynn Cristinelli won the batting aggregate with 405 runs and Kendenup’s Scott Hillman was runner-up with 361.

The batting average award was taken out by Tambellup’s Nathan Willmott (63), who narrowly edged out Richardson (60.5).

Batchelor claimed the bowling aggregate gong after 23 wickets in a terrific season, enough to hold out runner-up Nathan Willmott (20).

The bowling average award was won by Batchelor (6.87) ahead of premiership teammate Richardson (7.33).

Wanderers’ Harry Harris won the fielding award.

The GSCA Team of the Season was named, with six batters, a wicketkeeper and five bowlers.

Flynn Cristinelli and Herbert were named as openers and Clinton Gilbert was selected at No.3, while Wanderers’ Kyle Sinclair, Australs’ Phil Pink and Nathan Willmott were also in the team.

Hillman was picked as the team’s wicketkeeper and Richardson and Batchelor headed up the bowlers, joined by Broomehill pair Lewis Barritt and Ethan Caldwell and Kendenup’s Sebastian Ballard.

GSCA TEAM OF THE SEASON

1. Flynn Cristinelli (Tambellup)

2. Jedd Herbert (Tambellup)

3. Clinton Gilbert (Kendenup)

4. Kyle Sinclair (Wanderers)

5. Phil Pink (Australs)

6. Nathan Willmott (Tambellup)

7. Scott Hillman (Kendenup)

8. Sam Richardson (Broomehill)

9. Jack Batchelor (Broomehill)

10. Lewis Barritt (Broomehill)

11. Ethan Caldwell (Broomehill)

12. Sebastian Ballard (Kendenup)