Shakeel Faizer, Tye Beer among 15 players selected for Team NT
The Junior Boys’ Strike League returns with a fresh new format and fierce competition, as three top teams go head-to-head in a condensed format. Meet Team NT here.
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The Junior Boy’s Strike League is back, this time with a new look.
A smaller competition that will see just the three sides battle it out - down from six entrants 12 months ago - the tournament will be held across June 30 to July 4.
An important cog in the under 17s male pathway in the Territory, this year’s squad will see 14 Darwin and Districts players and one Alice Springs player fill out the 15 person roster.
Team NT will play two Twenty20 matches and two 50 over matches against South Australia’s Cricket for All and the Victoria Big Cats.
Several fresh faces have been named in the squad, including Wests’ Shakeel Faizer — the only Alice Springs player — who was selected by NT Cricket Talent and Pathway coach Trent Keep during a recent Talent ID trip to the Red Centre.
“Shakeel impressed greatly with his leg spinners and what stood out was a high level of consistency, as well as his character with local coaches speaking very highly of him,” Keep said.
A number of familiar names are returning for the series, Darwin’s Ralph Stephens back in the fray after captaining the side to a grand final berth last year, and rising star of Tracy Village Tye Beer is another who has earned reselection.
This year’s side will see PINT’s Rhys French take on the role of head coach while Nightcliff’s A-grade stalwart Jai Allman has taken up ranks as assistant.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the boys,” French said.
“Several of these players will go on to represent NT at the National Championships, so we will be looking to perform strongly as a team and implement the many lessons that have been trained throughout the Academy this season”.
Meet the Squad
RALPH STEPHENS (Darwin)
Stats - Matches: 11, Runs: 157, Batting average: 17.44, High score: 64, Wickets: 0, Bowling average: n/a, Best figures: n/a, Total catches: 3
Info - The leader of the group is back for another age representative side. One of the more senior figures in the squad and with more than half a season of B-grade under his belt this season, he will be spearheading the charge in NT’s grand final redemption hopes.
ARLO EVERETT (Waratah)
Stats - Matches: 22, Runs: 105, Batting average: 10.5, High score: 19, Wickets: 17, Bowling average: 23.18, Best figures: 2/10, Total catches: 5
Info - Already boasting a 30 plus wicket season, the right-arm fast-medium has continued to elevate his game this season. A consistent wicket-taker that’s usually relatively economical, he’s spent time in the Tahs’ U18, D, B-grade, Sunday 1 and T20 sides.
BILLY O’TOOLE (PINT)
Stats - Matches: 20, Runs: 165, Batting average: 20.63, High score: 57, Wickets: 17, Bowling average: 27, Best figures: 3/31, Total catches: 6, Run outs: 6
Info - A bowling all-rounder and one of the best young fielders in the Top End, O’Toole is an ever present threat, whoever his opponent. To date he’s played for PINT in its U18, Sunday 1 and C-grade sides this season.
TYE BEER (Tracy Village)
Stats - Matches: 21, Runs: 181, Batting average: 18.1, High score: 50, Wickets: 19, Bowling average: 27.47, Best figures: 4/20, Total catches: 9
Info - Recently making the U15 School Sport Australia All Australian side, Beer has been on fire in 2025. The left-arm off-spinner and handy bat has been elevated by the village this season, playing almost exclusively in its A-grade side across T20, One and Two-Day competitions.
NOAH MACDONALD (PINT)
Stats - Matches: 23, Runs: 321, Batting average: 21.4, High score: 73, Wickets: 2, Bowling average: 70.5, Best figures: 1/30, Total catches: 8
Info - An opener who frequently finds himself anywhere in the order, MacDonald has cemented his spot in PINT’s first XI this season. With one half century to his name and half-a-dozen starts, he’ll be hoping to finally get reward for his hard work and score big this series.
RITHUN RAMANAN (Waratah)
Stats - Matches: 31, Runs: 425, Batting average: 21.21, High score: 86, Wickets: 11, Bowling average: 27, Best figures: 4/32, Total catches: 18
Info - Last season’s U15’s top run scorer and fresh off a hat-trick at the U15 nationals earlier this year, the Warrior is a triple threat. The right hand bat and pace bowler is also a menace in the field, constantly taking meat pies. This season he’s laced up the spikes for Tahs’ U15, D, B and A-grade sides as well as Sunday 1.
SHAKEEL FAIZER (Wests)
Stats - Matches: 20, Runs: 445, Batting average: 40.45, High score: 107, Wickets: 21, Bowling average: 10.71, Best figures: 4/23, Total catches: 9
Info - The lone Alice Springs representative in the side, Faizer will need to dust off the cobwebs as his home competition is currently in the off-season. With two tons and three fifties to his name last season, the youngster is also a huge threat with the Kookaburra.
HARVEY MCCORMICK (Waratah)
Stats - Matches: 24, Runs: 379, Batting average: 31.58, High score: 82, Wickets: 18, Bos
Info - An all-rounder through and through, the left-handed bat is capable of batting up and down the order, and can trundle out 10 overs of offies if required. The Warrior has made appearances this season in the U15, Sunday 1 and B-grade competitions.
RILEY SUTER (Nightcliff)
Stats - Matches: 13, Runs: 54, Batting average: 7.71, High score: 20, Wickets: 3, Bowling average: 84.33, Best figures: 1/11, Total catches: 2
Info - The left arm quick will be looking for a succesful campaign after an average season to date per his lofty standards. He’s played for the Tigers across its B-grade, T20 and C-grade sides.
DHRUV SHANDILYA (Tracy Village)
Stats - Matches: 13, Runs: 144, Batting average: 14.4, High score: 30, Wickets: 10, Bowling average: 22.2, Best figures: 3/12, Total catches: 5
Info - Last year’s leading wicket-taker (10 wickets at 6.3) has been up and down the grades this season. With caps in the A-grade T20/Two-Day side, B-grade and Sunday 1 outfits, the spinner is one to watch.
LUCAS NIXON (Tracy Village)
Stats - Matches: 24, Runs: 297, Batting average: 15.63, High score: 52, Wickets: 10, Bowling average: 10.8, Best figures: 4/10, Total catches: 13 (7 wkc), Stumpings: 3
Info - A player that is the epitome of a utility, the Villager can do it all. Whether he’s batting in the middle, behind the stumps or throwing down half a dozen overs, he’s the ultimate team player. Nixon has taken to the field in U15, Sunday 3, B and C-grade this year.
ANGAD PANWAR (Southern Districts)
Stats - Matches: 9, Runs: 62, Batting average: 10.33, High score: 30, Wickets: 8, Bowling average: 32.63, Best figures: 3/30, Total catches: 3
Info - The young right-arm off-spinner’s played just the nine matches this season, but has been honing his skills with the Croc’s B-grade outfit in which he’s bowled a total of 71 overs.
DEEPANSHU PANWAR (Southern Districts)
Stats - Matches: 12, Runs: 205, Batting average: 17.08, High score: 59, Wickets: 7, Bowling average: 27.57, Best figures: 2/20, Total catches: 3
Info - Typically a top three batter, Panwar is a quick scorer that has had a pretty rocks and diamonds season to date. One of the more experienced players in the squad, the Croc has played matches in Sunday 1, 2 and B, D-grade.
TY JENNINGS (Waratah)
Stats - Matches: 23, Runs: 416, Batting average: 24.47, High score: 59, Wickets: 18, Bowling average: 18.18, Best figures: 3/3, Total catches: 17
Info - Routinely among the top performers come the end of year awards, Jennings boasts the ability to flick through the gears when required with bat in hand. He is another who can bat anywhere in the order, can take wickets if needed and is a gun in the field. He’s played in U15, U18, Sunday 1 and D-grade matches this season.
NATE WATSON (Southern Districts)
Stats - Matches: 19, Runs: 273, Batting average: 24.82, High score: 47, Wickets: 6, Bowling average: 23.83, Best figures: 2/19, Total catches: 9
Info - A middle order bat that can throw down some overs when required is a steady scoring, low risk type at the crease. He has played in the U15, D and C-grade competitions this season.
Team NT’s Draw
1) Monday - June 30, 9am at Cazalys (T20) vs. Victoria Big Cats
2) Monday - June 30, 1pm at Cazalys (T20) vs. Cricket for All
3) Tuesday - July 1, 10am at DXC 2 (50 over) vs. Cricket for All
4) Wednesday - July 2, 9am at Cazalys (50 over) vs. Victoria Big Cats
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