Cricket stalwarts rate ex-Tallangatta all-rounder James Weighell the best import

Current Bushies’ star Sahib Malhotra has sparked the discussion after racing to the sublime average of 155.7.

The classy Indian batsman has been near impossible to dismiss, racking up five unbeaten knocks in posting 467 runs, with five half-centuries.

The Bushies have had a handful of first-class players in recent years – including former Sri Lankan international Dilhara Lokuhettige and Englishman Paul Coughlin – and the association a number of outstanding imports, but it’s another Tallangatta player who’s stolen the crown.

“James Weighell is the best player I’ve seen in CAW in the past 10 years,” Cricket Manager Murray Region Cricket NSW’s Robbie Mackinlay said.

“I remember the grand final (2014-15), he was able to take it to another level.”

The Englishman’s name will never be forgotten after his match-winning performances in the finals.

He struck two half-centuries and averaged 48 in the wins over Wodonga, St Patrick’s and East Albury and snared 13 wickets at 11.4.

In the grand final against East Albury, Weighell scored 68 and then tore through the Crows in snaring 5-65.

Crows’ coach James McNeil, who had played first grade in Sydney and once claimed the wicket of current Test star Usman Khawaja, was left stunned by the one-man wrecking machine, calling it the greatest individual performance he had been involved in.

“Just his timing (with the bat), hitting the ball late under his eyes, he had all the credentials of a first-class cricketer and as it’s been proven he’s a good first-class player,” Mackinlay said.

The right-arm speedster snared 65 wickets in CAW at 21 and averaged 33 with the bat.

“I reckon Weighell was probably the pick of the imports,” former St Patrick’s and rep star Heath Naughton said.

“Coughlin was a great bowler as well, while (former Tallangatta paceman and English first-class player) Neil Killeen was one of those players that would just bowl and bowl and bowl, but Weighell is number one for me.”

However, the CAW vice-president says Malhotra’s form over the past three seasons has elevated the all-rounder to top-line status.

“I saw him bat against St Pat’s, he was injured (with a quad injury), imagine if he was fully fit?,” Naughton posed.

“The timing and the wrist work, he’s a class above, I reckon he’s the best player in the competition by far.”

If Malhotra maintains form he could challenge the one-season run-scoring record, held by Wodonga coach Robbie Jackson with 1032.