Top SA country cricket young guns of 2023-2024 revealed
SA’s country cricket competitions are stacked with up and coming talent so we’ve picked the top young guns of the 2023-2024 season. See who made the cut.
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SA’s country cricket competitions are stacked with up and coming talent and a number of rising stars have put their names on the map again in season 2023-2024.
With the help of a number of the state’s regional associations, we’ve listed the top young guns aged 21 and under as finals fast approaches.
Here is our list in alphabetical order.
TRAVIS BRONSTEIN – Great Southern Cricket Association
(Noarlunga)
Bronstein has opened the batting and bowled first change in Noarlunga’s A Grade team all season.
He has 506 runs and 26 wickets across the Great Southern Cricket Association A Grade, representative matches and T20 competition at 19 years old.
LACHY BATES – Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association
(Lobethal)
Originally a young gun for Echunga, Bates has become one of the competition’s most promising batters since joining Lobethal.
A consistent contributor who usually takes his place in the middle order for the Tigers, Bates is capable of helping his side to key wins with solid innings at the crease.
HARRISON BURGESS – Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association
(Wistow)
A promising all-rounder for Wistow, Burgess has impressed with both the bat and ball this season.
Has played in the top and middle of his side’s batting order this season, often tallying strong totals.
Can also do damage with the ball, recently taking 2/22 against Lobethal.
BRODIE CLARKE – Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association
(Nairne)
Clarke won the Shaun Tait Medal as the best player in the association last season and has continued his strong output for Nairne this year while also playing some cricket for Sturt.
A talented quick who can take wickets in bunches, Clarke has had a fantastic start to 2024 and remains one of the most damaging players in the competition.
TYRON CONGDON – Port Pirie Cricket Association
(Wandearah)
A talented quick bowler who has proved himself at A Grade level at just 15 years old.
Recently took a hat-trick and a five-for against South Port and will be one to watch in the coming seasons.
NOAH DUNN – Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association
(Hahndorf)
Dunn has played for Sturt at Premier Cricket level this season but also remains a top prospect for Hahndorf in the AEHCA.
The 17-year-old has produced as a consistent bowler this season, often taking big scalps for his teams.
BOHDI FAUSER – Port Lincoln Cricket Association
(Tasman)
18-year-old Fauser has already established himself as one of the best opening batters and opening bowlers of the PLCA.
For season 2023-2024, he ranks third for runs at 360 total and ranks first for wickets at 24 total, nine more than the next bowler.
Was unlucky to miss senior EP representative selection.
MARLIE FAUSER – Port Lincoln Cricket Association
(Tasman)
Younger brother of Bohdi, 14-year-old Marlie is the number one spinner at Tasman, with 14 wickets this season.
Broke into the PLCA Henderson Shield side and took combined 5/43 off 20 overs.
Fauser has also been a competent batter in the tough number three position with 167 runs at an average of 42.
SAM HUNT – Millicent and Naracoorte Cricket Association
(Millicent)
Arguably the top young prospect in SA country cricket, Hunt is a 17-year-old leg spinner who also opens the batting for Millicent and has taken the association by storm.
Has won league Cricketer of the Year as a 15-year-old and won it again this season to mark his second senior medal in three years.
Hunt has scored 297 runs at an average of 37 and also has 26 wickets.
LACHLAN KNIGHT – Hills Cricket Association
(Kangarilla)
At just 20 years of age, Kangarilla captain Lachlan Knight has been one of the top batters of the HCA.
Usually playing as the number three for his club, Knight has tallied nearly 300 runs.
Is also a reliable fielder and can pitch in with the ball when needed.
HUGH MARSHALL – Rocky River Cricket Association
(Crystal Brook)
Marshall played in his first year out of U16s this season and has shown promise with both the ball and bat.
Has scored 227 runs at an average of 28.38 with the bat while taking 12 wickets at an average return of 14.92 runs with the ball.
HARVEY MASSON – Tumby Bay and District Cricket Association
(Colts)
At 17 years old, Masson is one of the most promising players in his association.
An aggressive and promising upper order left-hand bat, Masson has a top score of 97 not out so far this season and has shown significant improvement at the crease.
JACK ROBERTS – Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association
(Strathalbyn)
A talented fast bowler who has also played for the Southern District A Grade in SACA Premier Cricket this season, Roberts has been a standout for Strathalbyn in the AEHCA T20 competition.
Bowls a consistent line and length and has been adept at getting the ball to move, keeping batters on their toes.
BAILEY ROWE – Torrens Valley Cricket Association
(Paracombe)
Rowe is an up and coming 16-year-old star for Paracombe.
A left-hand opening batter and a solid left arm bowler who has scored 171 runs so far in 2023-2024 at an average of 34 and taken eight wickets for an average of 11 runs.
AARON THOMPSON – Hills Cricket Association
(Scott Creek Ironbank)
Thompson has emerged as a star of the future for SCIB, earning a consistent spot in the A Grade side through his performances with the bat.
The teenager has been a damaging middle order batter, tallying 455 runs so far at an average of 65.
JACOB TODD – Millicent and Naracoorte Cricket Association
(Millicent)
An opening batter for Millicent who is very attacking and likes to score quickly, tallying 220 runs at an average of 27.
Todd has also been the opening quick bowler for the Black Caps, taking 15 wickets at an average of 11 with his ability to swing the ball at pace.
The 18-year-old has become a dominant force in the MNCA.
JASPA TONKIN – Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association
(Langhorne Creek)
A talented batter and wicketkeeper Tonkin has emerged as a star leader of Langhorne Creek at the age of 20.
Has safe hands and quick reactions behind the stumps and can often lead his side to winning totals at the top of the batting order.
RILEY TONKIN – Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association
(Strathalbyn)
An 18-year-old left hand batter who has shown great potential this season.
Tonkin usually plays in the middle of the Stallions order and has been capable of making a handy total for the club this season.
OSCAR TYDEMAN – Hills Cricket Association
(Meadows)
One of the most promising wicketkeepers in country cricket, Tydeman remains an invaluable asset for Meadows in the HCA.
Tydeman boasts a safe set of hands as a keeper and can also produce with the bat in the top and middle order for the Bulldogs.
BROCK VANDELEUR – Roxby District Cricket Association
(Miners)
Vandeleur has been a consistent A Grader for his club through the last four years and is beginning to emerge as a star at 17 years of age.
Opens the bowling and has represented Sacred Heart College’s First XI side.
Also recently opened the bowling for Roxby Downs in the recent country carnival.
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