The top performers from the Australian Country Cricket Championships

Victoria claimed the men’s and women’s Australian Country Cricket Championships. Men’s coach Luke Manders reveals his plan to make it happen. Plus, see how every player ranked.

The Victorian men celebrate their win.

When Luke Manders was appointed coach of the Victorian Country men’s team, he came with a plan to win the Australian Country Cricket Championships.

He didn’t simply just want the 11 best players filtered into one side, he wanted a squad all capable of fitting seamlessly together.

It all came to fruition last week as the Victorians claimed the 2025 double — with the women’s team taking out their respective competition.

“When I got the job, I gave the selectors a list of roles I wanted in the team,” Manders said.

“I wanted players who could fill different roles, guys who could finish games, those who could be defensive when we needed them. I wanted us to be the best fielding team during the tournament and I thought that was something we were able to do.

“I think we dropped one catch throughout the entire competition. We had some individual moments but it was a complete team performance.

“We might not have had the best team on paper but the group came together and was able to be the best team out on the field.”

Victoria took home the men’s title after finishing with a 7-2 record across the nine games.

Team of the tournament honours came for skipper Jake Toohey, his deputy Lee Stockdale, wicketkeeper Ben Fulford and Jesse Trower.

Country cricket star Stockdale was named as the men’s team’s player of the tournament with Erica Kershaw winning the honour for the women.

“Everyone had their role to play, speaking to the players after the last game, I said everyone took their moment when it came,” Manders said.

“Jake and Lee were terrific leaders for our team, we had 10 debutantes for the tournament and they played key roles when we won three of the four T20 games which probably proved to be the difference.

“Ben is nearly the best keeper I’ve seen at any level I’ve been involved with. He’s a good teammate who has some remarkable skills.

“Jesse blew my mind. You could tell him where you wanted to bowl the ball for 12 days and he was able to do it consistently.”

Victoria’s win didn’t come without its drama throughout the week with guns Nathan Walsh and Dale Kerr flown in after injuries.

Player rankings

Victoria claims Country Champs double

Victoria has claimed the men’s and women’s Australian Country Cricket Championships.

The men secured their title on the back of a 138-run thumping of Western Australia on Friday as Jake Toohey led the way with 55 runs off 68 balls to help guide the tournament hosts to 9-203.

Then, Bailey Sykes (5-11) and Dale Kerr (3-24) who play in the Geelong Cricket Association did most of the damage with eight wickets between them as Jesse Trower chipped in with two as WA was all out for 65.

SA finished as the competition’s runner-up after beating NSW by four wickets to close out their tournament.

A quick fire century from Josh Pengelley (109 off 46) including seven boundaries and 11 6s capped off the run chase.

Great stuff from Victoria at the national country cricket championships, confirming the title by routing WA today. Under first-year coach Luke Manders, the Vics won seven of their nine matches to finish four points clear on top. pic.twitter.com/jTtSCXtkfm

— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) January 10, 2025

The Vics were just as dominant in the women’s competition after powering to a 59-run win in the final against Queensland.

Earlier in the day, they had won their semi against SA by seven wickets.

In the decider, Makinley Blows (45 off 49) led the way to guide Victoria to 5-109 from its 20 overs before Queensland was rolled for just 50.

Grace Jones led the way with three wickets.

THURSDAY REVIEW

The end of the Australian Country Cricket Championships is almost here.

Thursday marked the penultimate day of the tournament and we’ve taken a look at how it’s all shaping up.

MEN

Victoria remains the team to beat heading into the final day after overcoming NSW by five wickets despite Blues opener Dylan Hunter blasting a brilliant 130 runs off 75 deliveries.

Hunter’s effort guided his side to all out for 226.

Lee Stockdale led the way in the Vics run chase with an unbeaten 95 off 104 balls.

South Australia sits second and four points behind the Vics after overcoming Tasmania by six wickets as Daniel Kerber led the way with an impressive 87 not out, well supported by Tom Plant (42 not out).

Tassie posted 8-208 for victory after Brayden DeVries continued his impressive competition with another half-century.

WA moved to 4-4 on the back of a half-century from Bradman May in a one-wicket win over Queensland, chasing down 183 for victory.

WOMEN

Friday’s finals are set after another exciting day of action.

Victoria will take on South Australia for a place in the decider after emerging through the pool games with just one loss to their name.

In the other semi-final, NSW and Queensland will do battle.
SA’s Stephanie Beazleigh is currently the leading run scorer in the competition with 279 runs at an average of 27.9.

Evelyn Todd is the leading wicket taker after leading the SA attack.

EARLIER

MEN

The men’s competition is shaping up for a grandstand finish across the next three days after a slate of T20 games turned the competition on its head.

Victoria still remains on top of the ladder with a record of four wins and two losses after splitting its games, including a loss to Tasmania.

Rylea Jones inspired the win against SA to open the day before Keegan Oates played matchwinner for Tassie scoring 44 off 49 to guide his side to a four-wicket win and 3-3 record.

Tassie are one of three teams locked a 3-3 including Queensland who dropped both of their games on Tuesday including a two-wicket loss to SA as Josh Pengelley showed off his power hitting with 47 off 24 to guide the hosts across the line.

NSW picked up back-to-back wins including a 57-run win over WA as Dylan Hunter produced one of the bowling performances of the tournament with 5-17 off his four overs.

WOMEN

SA handed Victoria their first loss of the tournament with a five-wicket win in the first of two T20 fixtures throughout the day.

The hosts prevailed by five wickets on the back of an unbeaten half-century from Brittany Perry who finished with 51 off 52.

SA went onto win both games for the day including a comfortable 43-run defeat of WA.

Other results throughout the day saw NSW climb to the top of the ladder as they won both of their games including a hard fought 16-run win over Queensland with Emma-Jayne Howe picking up four wickets.

Early in the day, Taylor Stumer produced a dazzling display with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 48, leading Queensland to a win against WA.

DAY THREE

MEN

Victoria made it three wins on the trot after being the only side to win both of their T20 games on Sunday.

First up was a comfortable 56-run win over Queensland after posting 4-147 as Nathan Freitag top scored with an unbeaten 74 before rolling Queensland for 91 as Jesse Trower impressed with 3-9.

They then managed to secure a 20-run win over NSW as Jake Toohey led the way with an impressive 4-34.

Ex-Victorian Premier Cricket player Nathan Freitag fired for Victoria.

Queensland was able to bounce back in its second game of the day after overcoming WA by nine runs in a hard fought contest, posting 7-128 after being sent into bat.

Logan Whitfield played a key role with the ball taking 3-17 to help restrict their opponents.

WA won its first game of the day against tournament hosts SA.

Tasmania picked up its second win of the competition after holding on for a 14-run win against SA to close out the day.

Tassie posted 9-123 as Param Uppal top scored with 29 as Louis Smith, James Scott and Hayden Clark-Sullivan all took two wickets.

WOMEN

Victoria remains the only unbeaten women’s team after winning their respective games.

The Vics were able to overcome WA by 59 runs to start the day with Erica Kershaw producing an impressive 65. A thrilling clash with NSW followed as the Victorians held on for a two-run victory.

NSW had won its earlier game, and sits at 3-1 after four games, by getting the better of the tournament hosts by five wickets.

SA posted 4-118 as Stephanie Beazleigh top scored with 33 before Kristen Smith and Claire McGuirk proved to be match winners with knocks of 31 and 30.

Abbey Taylor hit a quick fire 14 to close out the game.

Jaimie-Lee Strang was on fire for Queensland’s women’s team.

Queensland picked up its first two wins of the tournament after overcoming the Cricket East Asia-Pacific development squad then South Australia.

Jaimie-Lee Strang and Meghan McCartney both enjoyed strong days with the ball.

DAY TWO REVIEW

MEN

VICTORIA v TASMANIA

Aidan McKenna and star bowler Lee Stockdale inspired Victoria to a comfortable five-wicket win over Tassie after going down on day one.

Stockdale was the pick of the bowlers with 3-18 as the Vics rolled Tassie for 133 with Brayden DeVries top scoring with 33.

Long Island star McKenna’s half-century was enough to guide his side across the line with no other teammate passing 20.

QUEENSLAND v SA

Queensland maintained its hot start to the competition with a five-wicket win over win as Marcus Berryman shone with the ball in a game played on Adelaide Oval.

Berryman finished with 4-29 off 10 as his side rolled the tournament hosts for 209.

Josh Nelson was the hero with the bat with an unbeaten 84 while Berryman was not out on 45.

The SA and Queensland teams played on Adelaide Oval.

WA v NSW

WA bounced back from an opening day defeat to secure a 33-run win over NSW, who suffered back-to-back defeats.

Batting first, WA posted 256 all out as Calum How top scored with 48 while Mac Webster impressed with the ball for his side with 4-65.

Gerard McKenna was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with 3-20 alongside Liam Renton and Graham Kennedy’s two wickets apiece to have NSW all out for 223.

WOMEN

Three teams started their tournaments in perfect fashion on a day where teams played two T20 fixtures.

NSW first secured a 26-run win over Queensland as Emma Hughes inspired her side with the ball, taking 3-11 off four.

Claire McGuirk then produced an impressive 42 not out to guide NSW to a six-wicket win over WA who were restricted to 9-83 from their 20 overs as Emma-Jayne Howe took three wickets in just two overs.

Victoria is also unbeaten after its first two games after getting the better of the Cricket East Asia-Pacific development squad and Queensland.

The Vics snuck across the line in their first game by three wickets as Grace Jones impressed with four scalps.

In game two, Makinley Blows fired with an unbeaten 43 to guide her side to a eight-wicket win.

Tournament hosts SA were big winners over WA and the Cricket East Asia-Pacific development squad.

First came a seven-wicket win against WA as Chloe Mackenzie led the way with 34.

They then followed it up with a 57-run win as Chloe Rosenzweig and Evelyn Todd starred with the ball, taking three wickets each.

DAY ONE REVIEW

SA v VICTORIA

South Australia made a statement to the rest of the men’s competition on day one with a thumping 67-run win, inspired by the bowlers — with bat and ball.

After SA Country fell to 8-86, Evan Gregoric, of Tea Tree Gully, posted a sensational 95 not out at number 10 to guide the tournament hosts to 8-214 as Angus Glazbrook finished unbeaten on 33.

Bailey Sykes, from North Geelong, was the pick of the bowlers for the Vics taking 2-36 from his 10 overs with skipper Jake Toohey also taking two scalps.

With the ball, Troy Blackwell gave the visitors little hope as he took 5-39 from his five overs as the Vics were all out for 147.

Toohey top scored with 36.

Troy Blackwell was dominant on the tournament's opening day.

QUEENSLAND v NSW

A monster century from Jayden Zahra-Smith wasn’t enough for NSW to open its account against Queensland.

He hit 141 off 112 balls as NSW was all out for 255, chasing a total of 269.

Aidan Watterson and Marcus Berryman proved decisive with three wickets each for the side from the sunshine state.

A half-century The Glen’s Jeff Case proved pivotal in the Queenslander producing a competitive score of 8-269, finishing on 77.

Jake O’Connell and Mac Webster were the pick of the bowlers for NSW with two wickets each.

TASMANIA v WA

Tasmania has secured a piece of history after winning its first game against WA by three wickets.

This is the first time Cricket Tasmania has sent a team to the tournament.

Brayden DeVries was the hero after hitting aun beaten 61 runs off 49 balls to guide his side across the line as Param Uppal top scored with 73 off 84.

A fighting half-century from Tim Hutchison, who plays for Colts locally, was key in helping WA reach 9-242 from its 50 overs against Tasmania.

Hutchison arrived at the crease for 3-71 and finished his innings with four boundaries and a six.

Caelan Maladay and Jesse Willmott took three wickets each for Tassie.

COMPETITION PREVIEW

Australia’s best country cricketers are set to do battle from Friday.

Over 250 players from men’s and women’s teams will descend on South Australia’s Barossa Valley for the Australian Country Cricket Championships.

The competition will have six teams in the men’s and women’s tournament.

Tasmania will field a team in the men’s with a Cricket East Asia-Pacific development squad set to compete in the women’s competition.

See the elected squads below.

CRICKET EAST ASIA-PACIFIC

Vicky Ara’a (c), Nanda Sakarini, Naoani Vare, Ahilya Chandel, Seri Chang, Wesika Ratna Dewi, Kevau Frank, Hinase Goto, Zamera Ikiua, Mahuta Jayphert, Erani Pokana, Sofia Samuels, Alex Bobbi Yerro Smith, Seika Sumi, Tori Putri Suwandwei.

NSW COUNTRY MEN

Nick Foster (captain), Bel Balcomb, Aaron Bills, Cooper Brien, Dylan Hunter, AJ Isherwood, Pat McGann, Jake O’Connell, Ben Parsons, Mac Webster, Logan Weston, Kerrod White, Aaron Wivell, Jayden Zahra-Smith, Anthony Kershler (head coach).

NSW COUNTRY WOMEN

Kira Churchland (c), Callee Black, Alice Caldow, Rochelle Davis, Emma-Jayne Howe, Emma Hughes, Allison McGrath, Claire McGurk, Clare Murray, Kirsten Smith, Maddison Spence, Kelly Rowlings, Abbey Taylor, Ella Tilburg.

QUEENSLAND COUNTRY MEN

Matthew Wilkins, Joshua Nelson, Jeff Case, Sam Lowry (c), Claye Beams, Joe McGahan, Marcus Berryman, Jake Roach, Lachlan Ford, Aidan Watterson, Steven Graham, Sam Yabsley, Travis Busch, Logan Whitfield.

QUEENSLAND COUNTRY WOMEN

Taylah Schutt (c), Emma Jackson, Tarah Staines, Elisah Holdsworth, Olivia Winter, Meghan McCartney, Taylor Stumer, Grace Abdy, Catherine White, Mahli Rea, Abbey Harvey, Jaimie-Lee Strang, Meg Mettam, Kiana Dunn.

SA COUNTRY MEN

Coby Cornish (c), Nick McInerney (vc), Troy Blackwell, Joey Brown, Cameron Bullard, Hamish Case, Elliott Fisher, David Golder, Angus Glazbrook, Evan Gregoric, Daniel Kerber, Patrick Page, Tom Plant, Sean Williams, Paul Pasculli (coach), Ian Graham (team manager).

SA COUNTRY WOMEN

Stephanie Beazleigh (c), Cara Fiebig (vc), Madelon Camilleri, Emma Faint, Emily Hinze, Zali Kerley, Tahlia Keylock, Chloe Mackenzie, Mackenzee McCauley, Brittany Peryy, Chloe Rosenweig, Keely Stone, Evelyn Todd, Fiona Young, Kevin Frick (coach), Steve Kavanagh (team manager).

TASMANIA 

Keegan Oates, Tom Dwyer (c), Sam Voss, Brayden De Vries (wk), Param Uppal, Sam O’Mahony, Jesse Willmott ©, Louis Smith, James Scott, Jack Montgomery, Hayden Clark Sullivan, Riley Whitelaw (wk), Caelan Maladay, Lachlan Clark.

VIC COUNTRY MEN

Jake Toohey (c), Nathan Freitag (VC), Campbell Love, Ben Fulford, Joshua Henry, Jesse Tower, Dale Kerr, Tyler Larkin, Kyle Mueller, Tom Le Lievre, Bailey Sykes, Chris Galvin, Lachie Sperling, Aiden McKenna.

VIC COUNTRY WOMEN

Stephanie Townsend (c), Grace Jones, Hannah Rooke, Amy Yates, Erica Kershaw, Maddie Green, Sarah Mannes, Stacy Rockliff, Madi Albers, Annabel Glossop, Jessica Bohn, Makinley Blows, Alyssa Humphries, Tia Davidge.

WA COUNTRY MEN

Bradman May (c), Calum How, Cooper Clarke-Dehring, Cruize Ciallella, Gerard McKenna, Graham Kennedy, Julian Crudeli, Liam Renton, Lincoln Joy, Michael Tassone, Regan Hill, Tim Hutchison, Zane Marwick.

WA COUNTRY WOMEN

Laura Croft (c), Jo Walker (VC), Ashlyn Thompson, Drew Epis, Hollie Perkin, Lauren Newman, Madison King, Mahalia Upton, Mali Vanderstoep, Matilda Richings, Megan Bam, Molly Lincoln, Ruby York, Tayla Flowers.

Originally published as The top performers from the Australian Country Cricket Championships