Top 25 SA country cricketers of season 2023-2024 revealed
SA’s country cricket competitions are packed with top drawer talent so we’ve picked the top 25 players of the 2023-2024 season. See who made the cut.
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SA’s country cricket competitions have long been stacked with top talent and this season has been no exception.
With the help of many of the state’s country associations, we’ve listed the top 25 players of the 2023-2024 season.
See who the standouts have been with finals fast-approaching.
Here is our list in alphabetical order.
BEN ANTONIE – Barossa and Light Cricket Association
(Angaston)
A star bowler and standout fielder who can also chip in with the bat, Antonie remains one of the biggest X-factor players in the BLCA.
Has tallied 23 wickets so far this season and made 100 runs, with standout bowling figures of 5/14 against Lyndoch.
GREG BAIN – Barossa and Light Cricket Association
(Angaston)
A leading batter in the BLCA so far this season, Bain has been one of the competition’s most damaging players.
Has consistently impressed at number three for Angaston, producing a number of top innings against the best sides so far including a 76 against South Gawler and 69 not out against Sandy Creek.
Bain has been a big part of Angaston’s charge for finals.
CAM BULLARD - Great Southern Cricket Association
(Noarlunga)
Bullard has been a run machine for Noarlunga in the GCSA this season.
A skilled right-hander who can pour on runs in a flash, Bullard has scored multiple centuries this season including a 113 against Myponga-Sellicks, 100 not out against Mount Compass and a 125 against Port Elliott.
LIAM BURY - Port Augusta Cricket Association
(Quorn)
A star leader for top side Quorn, Bury has been consistent with both the bat and ball throughout his 2023-2024 campaign so far.
An opener for his club, Bury can tally runs quickly or remain composed at the crease to produce important innings.
Has 4o0 runs this season with a season-best performance of 118 against South Augusta.
Can also chip in with the ball and has multiple wickets on five separate occasions.
MARLEY BUTLER - Tumby Bay and District Cricket association
(Colts)
Captain and opening batter for Colts, Butler has produced another standout season.
Also an Eyre Peninsula representative, Butler has top scores of 111, 107 and 42 so far in his 2023-2024 campaign.
JACOB CARGER - Millicent and Naracoorte Cricket Association
(Rendelsham)
Also a superstar footballer for Millicent, Carger has also proved his worth as a cricketer in recent seasons.
Carger’s game is trademarked by scoring quickly through aggressive batting and he can also play as an explosive opening bowler who consistently takes wickets.
The vice captain’s performances as a top order batter and dangerous opening bowler have been a big factor in the Rams’ top three placement on the MNCA ladder.
JAMIE DIENER – Barossa and Light Cricket Association
(Sandy Creek)
A star batter who rotates up and down the Sandy Creek order.
Diener has been as composed as anyone at the crease this season and plays a number of calculated and effective shots.
Has a top score of 194 this season against Mallala and recently added a 153 not out innings to his tally against Lyndoch.
RHYS HANDTKE – Barossa and Light Cricket Association
(Sandy Creek)
Sandy Creek’s captain, Handtke has been a star all-rounder in the BLCA over a number of years.
Can either steady an innings for the top order at number three with the bat or take multiple wickets with a number of different deliveries to keep batters on their toes.
ALEX HENTSCHKE - Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association
(East Gambier)
Captain of the Bulldogs for the 2023-2024 season, Hentschke can produce as a middle or top order batter and remains a weapon with the ball.
Has a number of dominant displays this season, including a 108 not out and 5/47 effort against South Gambier as well as a 5/8 first innings and 3-3 second innings showing against Penola.
TYSON HIGGINS – Tumby Bay and District Cricket Association
(Rovers)
Last season’s association Cricketer of the Year, Higgins should be among the best yet again at the end of his 2023-2024 campaign.
Also an Eyre Peninsula rep, Higgins is a promising off spinner and a classy left-hand bat who can pour on runs when needed.
SAM HUNT – Millicent and Naracoorte Cricket Association
(Millicent)
A young and competitive leg spinner who also opens the batting for the Saints, Hunt has taken the association by storm at a young age.
Has won league Cricketer of the Year as a 15-year-old and is near the top again this season.
Hunt will be one to watch as Millicent approaches finals, and for many more years in SA cricket.
DANIEL KROPP - Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association
(Langhorne Creek)
Langhorne Creek’s standout so far this season, Kropp has delivered with both bat and ball.
A star opening batter for the Tigers, Kropp has made multiple centuries so far including a brilliant 129 off 102 balls in round one.
Has also proved to be a weapon in attack, with 21 wickets so far including a 5/41 effort against Strathalbyn.
ANDREW MAPSTONE – Barossa and Light Cricket Association
(South Gawler)
One of the top bowlers in the BLCA, Mapstone has been a major reason for South Gawler’s strong 2023-2024 season.
The Lions captain keeps batters guessing with his clever variety of deliveries and can record big numbers with the ball, most notably a 7/56 effort against Sandy Creek in round one.
Has formed a potent partnership with teammate David Golder.
NICK MCINERNEY – Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association
(North Gambier)
A favourite at North Gambier, McInerney remains one of the competition’s best all-rounders.
McInerney is a strong bat at number four in the order, tallying over 400 runs for the Tigers, and can also pitch in with the ball, often taking multiple wickets for his side.
Showed his ability to begin the new year with a brilliant 86 not out and 4/19 performance against South Gambier.
JACKSON MURPHY – Tumby Bay and District Cricket Association
(Rovers)
An Eyre Peninsula representative and an SA Country player, Murphy’s all-round ability makes him one of his association’s top players.
Murphy is an impressive left-hand opening bowler and a solid middle order batter, recently tallying scores of 44 and 55 not out, as well as a 51-run effort against Colts.
JORDAN NEIS-BEER – Hills Cricket Association
(Mt Lofty)
A superstar leader for Mt Lofty, Neis-Beer has been exceptional with the bat so far this season and will be one to watch in the big games.
Has nearly 500 runs so far in his 2023-2024 campaign with his club sitting at the top of the Hills ladder.
LIAM O’DEA – Port Lincoln Cricket Association
(Southern Eyre South)
A star of the Port Lincoln Cricket Association.
An opening right-hand batter who can clear the boundary with ease, O’Dea has made three centuries so far this season with a top score of 178 not out.
O’Dea can also do damage as an off-spinner and is an SA Country representative.
MATTHEW OVERALL – Great Southern Cricket Association
(Encounter Bay)
A dominant all-rounder in the GSCA, Overall will be a player to watch as Encounter Bay aims for premiership glory.
Often doing damage as a number three or four in his side’s order, the club leader has no issue tallying high amounts of runs.
Can also perform as an inexpensive bowler who takes important wickets.
TOM PLANT – Hills Cricket Association
(Mylor)
A former Redback and Glenelg star, Plant has been playing more regularly for Mylor this season.
Is a star batter and has chalked up over 400 runs at a remarkable average of 70 so far, including a recent 86 not out effort against Meadows.
Will be an integral player for Mylor if it makes finals.
BEN PUGSLEY - Tumby Bay and District Cricket Association
(Lipson)
One of the reasons for top side Lipson’s strong run so far this season, Pugsley has played at a top drawer level with the ball.
Pugsley has taken a strong 24 wickets through his 2023-2024 campaign so far, with season-best returns of 5/11 and 6/18.
SIMON ROBERTS - Great Southern Cricket Association
(Willunga)
A star all-rounder in SA country cricket, Roberts has been at his brilliant best in recent years.
The Willunga champion almost always has an impact with the bat at number five in the Demons order and often takes a number of wickets an innings as an important bowler.
He is also a former GSCA Cricketer of the Year and a former Bradman Medallist with Sturt.
BREDON SMART - Millicent and Naracoorte Cricket Association
(Naracoorte Townies)
The reigning league Cricketer of the Year, Smart has fit Naracoorte like a glove since arriving last season.
Smart is an intelligent and patient top order bat who can also bowl handy medium pace and swing.
Has had another great season despite his side’s inconsistent record.
CALEB WALKER - Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association
(Nairne)
Walker has been one of Nairne’s most consistent players during a strong season for the club.
A dangerous pace bowler who has a habit of taking some of his side’s most important wickets, Walker has 29 wickets in the A Grade one-day competition, most recently taking five wickets in a winning effort over top side Lobethal.
MITCH WEEKS – Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association
(Lobethal)
A standout leader and a top all-round threat, Weeks has been a major key to Lobethal’s hot start this season.
Can make big scores as an opening batter with the ability to either pile on fast runs or produce a steady innings, and can also perform with the ball when needed.
AARON ZRIM - Murray Towns Cricket Association
(Mypolonga)
A dominant all-rounder and one of Mypolonga’s recent greats, Zrim has been at his best during season 2023-2024.
Zrim is a versatile batter who can slot in anywhere on the order and has multiple centuries this season including a 104 not out effort against Monarto.
Can also chip in with the ball, often taking multiple wickets each spell.
Will be important for the top of the ladder Tigers in finals this season.
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