The UK imports coming to Australian club cricket in 2025-26
More than 100 overseas cricketers will spend the Ashes summer Down Under after committing to local clubs around Australia. See full profiles and who’s signed where here.
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They’re coming …
In an Ashes summer, dozens of players from the UK have been lined up to play club cricket in Australia next season, many of them placed by the agency CricX.
Here’s the A to Z of imports locked in for 2025-26.
VICTORIA
Seb Allison, Dingley
A tall seamer bowler also capable with the bat, Allison will be part of the Dingoes’ rise to the Championship in Cricket Southern Bayside. “A quality addition to a side with serious ambitions,’’ CricX noted of Allison, who has been a standout for Northumberland in the NCAA and Felling in the North East Premier League. His consistent performances took him to Kent’s Second XI, where he’s pushed for a professional contract.
Tiam Afshar, Sunshine United
United described Afshar, from East Molesey, as a technically sound top-order batter and “sharp wicketkeeper. “Tiam’s temperament at the crease and leadership in the field will bring balance and professionalism to our line-up,’’ the club said.
Josh Barnes, Moorabbin
Described as a “destructive” top-order batter from Gloucestershire, Barnes once cracked a 45-ball T20 ton while playing with Tewksbury. His golden summer was in 2022 when he amassed 992 runs at an average of 45 in the West of England Premier League. He’s also known as an assured slips fielder.
Jacob Binnersley, St Paul’s Oakleigh District
The all-rounder is heading to Melbourne and the Eastern Cricket Association for his first season on Australian soil. Binnersley bowls right-arm seam and bats in the top-order, and has made his name in the competitive Shropshire County Premier League.
Isaac Bird, Highton
Bird is from New Zealand and currently playing in Northern Ireland for Ballyspallen Cricket Club. The right-hander hits the ball hard, is a handy right-arm offie and rounds out his appeal with a NZC Level 1 coaching qualification.
Nathan Birks, Baranduda Rangers
Birks, a right-hand batter and right-arm medium pacer, will bring to Cricket Albury Wodonga the experience of a season in New Zealand, doing well for Pukekohe. His club will also make good use of his coaching credentials.
James Bradley, White Hills
The 22-year-old wicketkeeper is from St Annes, one of the most historic sides in the Northern Premier Cricket League and the first cricketing home of Andrew Flintoff. Bradley is known for standing up to the stumps and maintaining pressure on batters.
Tegan Broughton, St Kilda
Broughton, a seam bowler and middle-order batter, joins the famous Saints for their 2025-26 season in the Cricket Southern Bayside women’s section. Last year the Scotland Under 19 representative played for Wyclif in the Eastern association, doing well with bat and ball.
Ed Burch, Bonbeach
The driven young off-spinner and batsman plays for Yorkshire Academy and the Yorkshire 2nd XI. Burch has played and captained Yorkshire from Under 10s through to the Academy, for which he scored 430 runs at 39 last year. No doubt he’ll give Bonny good service with bat and ball.
George Burrows, Dingley
Burrows returns for another season with the Dingoes after figuring in their Cricket Southern Bayside Division 1 flag in 2024-25. This will be his third summer at Souter Oval and since joining the club the paceman has captured 58 wickets at 16.91. “His pace and precision have been hallmarks of his game, consistently troubling batters by hitting hard lines and lengths and relentlessly challenging their defences,’’ Dingley said. “George has fully embedded himself in Dingo culture, becoming an invaluable club member both on and off the field.’’
Will Burston, Bonbeach
The 22-year-old from Bristol is a skilled and adaptable batter, representing his home club, Keynsham, in the West of England Premier Cricket League. He’s progressed from Under 9s to becoming an important member of the First XI. “Eager to elevate his game further, Will is looking to take on the challenges of overseas cricket, immersing himself in new environments and embracing the culture and experiences that come with it,’’ CricX said.
Corey Chantrill, Nestles
Chantrill has spent the past three seasons in Australia, last year playing for Leschenault in WA, where he hit three half-centuries.
Xavie Clarke, Oak Park St Francis
The brother of Big Bash league batter Joe Clarke will turn out for Oak Park St Francis in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association. The all-rounder piled on 796 runs and took 21 wickets in Cricket Southern Bayside for Brighton District last summer. Relishing the big occasion, he starred in the semi-final and final, making 75 in the decider against Clayton District.
Jack Collett, Bonbeach
Collett, 18, is a frontline left-arm quick who bowls with good pace and can move the ball both ways. He’s also a more-than-handy right-handed middle-order batter. Collett has been in the Cheshire County Cricket Club pathway system from under-age teams and now the Second XI. At club level, he has impressed in the strong North Staffs and South Cheshire Cricket League for Sandbach, last year taking 42 wickets at 17 for the 1st XI, with best figures of 5-26.
Joe Cotton, Buckley Ridges
What would a Dandenong and District association off-season be without powerhouse Buckley Ridges securing an overseas player? Cotton is a left-arm quick and a developing batter who plays in the Kent Premier League for Hayes.
Josh Court, Orbost
The left-arm spinner, to spend 2025-26 in the Bairnsdale association, plays for Tickhill in the highly regarded Yorkshire Southern Premier League, where he has been a leading performer for a number of years. Accurate and using a change of pace to deceive batsmen, Court picked up 41 wickets at 17 last year. He’s also a reliable right-handed middle-order batter and should do well on the Gippsland scene.
Megan Cureton, Bentleigh
Well-performed batter Cureton is one of a number of players from the Chester Boughton club in Cheshire coming to Australia next season.
Tom Davis, Berwick
Right-arm quick Davis has become a Bear in the competitive Dandenong and District association. CricX suggests his pace will “no doubt have a few opposition batters on edge’’. Davis had experience in the Kent CC Academy and with the county’s Second XI. He’s playing in the Birmingham and District Premier League.
Harry Donelan, Moorabbin
It’s been a battle for Moorabbin in the Subbies for a few years, but Donelan, 23, should help the Binners improve. He’s a left-arm finger spinner and right-hand middle to lower-order batter, and went through the Cheshire County Cricket Club age group system. Donelan has played most of his cricket in Cheshire for Neston Cricket Club in the Cheshire County Cricket League, but in recent times has starred for Thornbury in the West of England Premier League.
Lewis Evans, Mentone
Left-arm spinner Evans captains Shrewsbury Cricket Club and in 2019 bagged eight wickets in an innings for its Academy team. He should be a valuable player for the Tigers in Cricket Southern Bayside.
Harry Fairchild, Coburg
The young opener will test his game in the Subbies as a product of the Somerset County Cricket Club pathway and a Millfield School alumni. He got his ticket to Australia via the International Cricket Program.
Josh Glover, Glen Iris
The 20-year-old is an off-spinner from Derbyshire and bowls with great consistency and control. He has already raised more than 100 games for the Sawley First XI in the Derbyshire County Cricket League and was named captain last year.
Dan Goodey, Brunswick
Subbies club Brunswick has secured an experienced fast-bowling all-rounder who has been a prominent figure in the ECB Premier League and National Counties association in the past decade, winning titles with Bashley in the Southjern Premier league as well as national indoor finals at Lords. The 27-year-old is an ECB Level 2 coach.
Nikhil Gorantla, Ivanhoe
Gorantla, 22, is said to be one of the best non-contracted players in the UK. He dominates club cricket, most recently for powerhouse club South Northumberland in the strong North East Premier League. In the past two seasons he has smashed six centuries and five half-centuries. He was also named NEPL player of the season in 2023 after averaging 75 in league cricket. His excellence at club level led to National Counties selection, firstly for his home county Cambridgeshire and then Northumberland CCC. Now he’s playing County Second XI cricket as he chases a professional deal. “A proven run machine and undoubtedly one of the standout signings of the season,’’ CricX said.
George Gowler, Bentleigh
The 21-year-old quick has been on the books of Northamptonshire. In 2024, he took 42 wickets – including a haul of 8-16 – while playing for Wisbech Town Cricket Club. CricX describes him as a “front line right arm quick who bowls with good pace and control’’ and a “useful lower order batter”.
Tom Griffiths, Raiders
Griffiths, heading for Cricket Latrobe Valley, plays for Sentinel in the Shropshire County Premier League. A right-handed opening batter and right-arm off-spinner, he enjoyed a breakout 2024 season after moving into the top-order. His impressive all-round performance earned him Sentinel’s Under 21 Player of the Year and a position in the Shropshire CCC Academy for 2025.
Joe Hawkins, Albury
The Derbyshire Under 18s captain and all-rounder is coming through quickly as a player and last month was called up for the England Under 19s Invitational side. He scored a half-century for Derbyshire’s Second XI against Yorkshire Second XI in June. “Joe is definitely one to watch as he gears up for his maiden Aussie stint,’’ CricX said.
George Hankins, Doutta Stars
The Hornchurch Cricket Club ace is a former Gloucestershire CCC batter who played 38 first-class matches, scoring 1211 runs, with one century. The right-hander hits the ball hard and also bowls tidy off-spin. He’s hit more than 3000 runs for Hornchurch in the Essex Premier League, including seven centuries and a highest score of 201. CricX said Hankin was a “proven run-machine’’ and a “serious signing’’ for the VTCA’s Stars.
Joe Heywood, Bayswater
England under-age representative Heywood will bring pace, swing and skill to Sub-District club Bayswater as he sets out on his maiden season in Australia. He represents Bath Cricket Club’s First XI in the West of England Premier League and at age 16 was part of its title-winning squad. Heywood made his 2nd XI debut for Somerset two years ago and in 2024 earned a List A debut in the One-Day Cup. His rise continued with selection in the ECB Super 4s, where he played a crucial role in the South West Region’s championship-winning campaign, a tournament featuring the top 50 Under 18 players in England. This led to England Under 19 selection for a tri-series against Ireland and Scotland, and involvement in training camps throughout the winter.
Adam Hewitt, Middle Park
A top-order batter from Lancashire, Hewitt joined Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s Under 18 squad in 2025 and has aspirations of progressing further. At club level, he plays for Church & Oswaldtwistle Cricket Club in the prestigious Lancashire Cricket League.
Ed Hopper, Latrobe
Next season Hopper will call home the Peter Siddle Oval, the ground named after the Test man who came through the old Central Gippsland league. The batting all-rounder plays for Folkton & Flixton Cricket Club in North Yorkshire Premier League.
Edward Hurst, Newcomb and District
The 22-year-old batting all-rounder is all-in on cricket after previously giving his university studies his full attention. During his uni years he was a prominent player for the Plymouth University 1st XI, captaining the side from 2021 and guiding it to promotion in 2023.
Frankie Ingram, Mirboo North
Ingram is a composed and stylish left-hand top-order batter who will parade his ability for the Tigers of Cricket Latrobe Valley next season. Also a versatile seam bowler, he has represented County sides Worcestershire and Warwickshire from an early age and also gained experience in the Birmingham Premier League, regularly batting in the top four and competing at a high standard. “Known for his ability to value his wicket and occupy the crease for long periods, Frankie combines patience with the ability to accelerate when needed,’’ CricX said.
Joel Jordan, Ovens Valley United
The all-rounder will be out to put down his stamp on the Wangaratta and District association. He’s from Hucknall Cricket Club in Nottingham and will be making his first trip to Australia.
Noah Kelly, Beaumaris
A return to Beauie and Cricket Southern Bayside for Kelly, Yorkshire County’s 2nd XI captain. He was most impressive in 2024-25, scoring more than 600 runs in the Championship Division.
Finn Kelsey, Port Melbourne
A product of the Somerset County Cricket Club pathway and a Millfield School alumni, Kelsey is among a package of UK players set to line up for the Subbies club. Port believes he will strengthen the top-order and says he has the ability to score runs in all formats of the game. Kelsey is also a handy keeper to back up Jake Rothnie.
Tom and Jack Kesteven, Bendigo United
Oh brother. Not one Kesteven but two for United. Tom is an off-spinner and Jack is a left-arm orthodox slowie and clean-striking middle-order batter who played in the Bairnsdale association in 2023-24, excelling with bat and ball.
Josh Leach, South Caulfield
The 18-year-old is forging a path through the UK County Cricket system as a left-arm spinner and capable lower-order batter. At club level, Leach is attached to Chester Boughton Hall in the Cheshire County Cricket League, where he has established himself as the first team’s premier spinner. He’ll join CSB power South as part of the International Cricket Program (ICP). “He sees this winter as a vital step in his development as he works toward higher honours in the County system,’’ CricX said.
Suzana Ljubojevic, Lethbridge
Ljubojevic has re-signed with Lethbridge after a 2024-25 season in which she took 25 wickets at 10.68 and scored more than 400 runs.
David Mansfield, Melton
In March, Mansfield snared 5-12 to lead South Australian club Wayback to victory in a grand final. He’s a middle-order batter and off-spinner and has featured in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association before.
Daniel Marshall, Middle Park
The tall off-spinner has linked with the Cricket Southern Bayside club as part of the International Cricket Program.
Jake Marshall, East Sandringham
Marshall tasted country cricket last season, playing for White Hills in the Bendigo association. The right-arm paceman had his best match in the representative game against Cricket Shepparton, taking 4-29.
Cameron Melly, Edinburgh
The hard-hitting Irish all-rounder is sure to cause plenty of headaches in the Eastern Cricket Association, having been part of the Cricket Ireland and Somerset academies. Melly featured on the international stage while he was a member of the Cricket Ireland Academy.
Oliver Metcalfe, St Joseph’s
Metcalfe makes a return to Joeys, where last season he got away to a few starts but never went on. But the club was pleased with him, calling Metcalfe a “committed and versatile player’’ who “consistently brought energy, effort, and team-first attitude to every match and training session’’. “After reflecting on his time with the club, Ollie was eager to return – driven by a strong desire to build on last season’s efforts and make a greater impact on game day in the year ahead. His passion for improvement and deep connection to the playing group make him a vital piece of our plans moving forward.’’
Abbey and Holly Meyers, Edinburgh
A sisterly signing for the Edinburgh women’s campaign in the Eastern association. The Meyers are from Chester Boughton Hall CC and are keen to test their skills in different conditions and climes in 2025-26.
Adrian Neill, Seddon
The ex-international will make the western suburbs his home next season, playing in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association. The 6’9 right-arm paceman played one-day and T20 for Scotland and was also with Gloucestershire’s Second XI from 2017-19.
Alex Nice, Beaconsfield
Nice is a fast bowler for Ashington in the North East Premier League, the home club of England fast bowler Mark Wood. The 18-year-old has excelled in County age-group cricket, captaining the Northumberland Under 18 team. Last year he stepped up as the leading wicket-taker for Ashington’s First XI when the team’s professional was called up to international duty. Opening the bowling, he claimed 25 league wickets, with best figures of 5-33. Nice is also most capable with the bat.
Huey Nield, Newcomb and District
A right-arm medium pace bowler who plays club cricket for Audley, Nield, 18, is a member of the Staffordshire County Cricket Development XI. Playing in the North Staffordshire South Cheshire Premier League, he made his top-team debut at the age of 16.
Tom Odell, Port Melbourne
Odell is from Worcestershire and a left-arm orthodox spinner and accomplished middle-order batter. CricX called him a “natural athlete’’ and a “dynamic presence in the field, with exceptional reflexes, a fearless approach, and a powerful arm that makes him a standout contributor in all facets of the game’’.
Ben Parker, South Caulfield
The speedy Parker has been a prominent player for Leeds/Bradford MCCU in recent years, having also represented the England Under 19s and earned a rookie contract with Worcestershire CCC. He has County 2nd XI experience with Yorkshire, Worcestershire and Derbyshire, marking him out as a top pace-bowling pick-up for South.
Seth Pickering, Brighton Union
Pickering, 18, is a fluent left-handed top-order batter who scores freely all around the wicket and bowls useful right-arm medium pace, making him a good addition to Union and the South East association. The all-rounder plays in the strong Bradford Premier League for Yeadon.
Toby Porter, Sunshine United
Faster bowler Porter, 23, is from Surrey and has been an integral element of his club East Molesey’s recent Premier League success. Last year he grabbed 44 wickets at 13.4, putting him on top of the bowling charts in one of the strongest Premier competitions in England. It earned him a call-up to the Surrey CCC 2nd XI. Watch for him to make run-making tough in the VTCA.
Sam Read, Beaconsfield
The yellow and black of Beaconsfield will be Read’s colours for 2025-26 as he joins the strong Dandenong and District association. The middle-order batter and off-spinner plays for Exeter and Devon, and was recommended to Beacy by fellow Englishman and Beacy star Matt Golding.
Nico Reifer, Wodonga
Reifer, 24, brings a snazzy CV to Wodonga, having played in all formats for Surrey. The right-hander has spent three years playing club cricket in Australia and should keep bowlers busy in Cricket Albury Wodonga next season.
Tommy Rex, Edinburgh
Rex is a classy seam bowler with County Second XI experience, most recently with Leicestershire. Has also been an important part of the Cardiff University MCCU side.
Tabitha Rimmer, Anglesea
Rimmer, 21, is an all-rounder from Surrey and represented the County club in 2014-15. She’s now playing for the University of Exeter women’s team. As a qualified coach, Rimmer will also play a key role in mentoring the next generation of cricketers at Anglesea.
Kian Roberts, Brunswick
The 18-year-old right-hand batter and medium-pacer scored an unbeaten 121 against Hampshire last month for his county Somerset. He’s also taken two wickets five times in Second XI matches since late May. Looks a real prospect and handy addition for the Wicks.
Ryan Roberts, Middle Park
Batting all-rounder Roberts, 18, came through the Northamptonshire County Cricket Club development system and has represented the England indoor cricket team. In his final year with Northamptonshire he was appointed captain of the Academy/EPP, highlighting his leadership and cricketing nous. He’s certain to enjoy his time at Middle Park alongside legendary local cricketer Craig Slocombe.
Harvey Rogers-Collen, Raiders
A product of the Warwickshire County Cricket Club pathway, Rogers-Collen, 22, has blossomed developed into a well-rounded and influential cricketer. He captains the First XI at Olton and West Warwickshire Cricket Club, competing in the Warwickshire County Cricket League, where he continues to demonstrate leadership and performance with his batting and off-spinners. He should be a prominent player in Cricket Latrobe Valley next season.
Tom Saunders, Lethbridge
Saunders, a regular visitor to Australia, links again with Lethbridge, where last season he was a key figure in a flag, scoring more than 650 runs at 41.13 and claiming 20 wickets with his medium-pace.
Kian Schwartz, Aberfeldie
A leading performer in South African and English club cricket, Schwartz appeals as one of the best recruits for the 2025-26 Victorian Turf Cricket Association season. In 2023 and ’24 the all-rounder excelled for Skelmanthorpe in the Drakes Huddersfield League, scoring 1398 runs at 32.51 and bagging 88 wickets at 21.68 in League and Cup cricket.
Charlie Scudder, Bentleigh
Scudder returns to Bentleigh after her decisive role in last season’s premiership, when she scored almost 200 runs and took 18 wickets at 8.89.
Ben Seabrook, Bentleigh
Seabrook is back for another season at Bentleigh, where across three seasons he’s dominated Cricket Southern Bayside bowling, cracking more than 2000 runs at almost 55. He’ll captain the Demons next season.
Jacob Slator, Seddon
The opening batter is set for his first stint in Australia after signing with VTCA club Seddon. The 22-year-old has been in Yorkshire’s academy and captained Bradford and Bingley CC. CricX said he “enjoys anchoring an innings and being able to go through the gears’’.
Alfie Smethurst, Brunswick
Smethurst, an 18-year-old left-arm finger spinner, was recently recruited to the Sussex County Cricket Club (Sussex CCC) Academy. He’ll put his slow bowling skills to work alongside some seasoned cricketers in the Subbies.
Ben Smith, Simpson Tigers
The top-order batter, to line up in the Colac District Cricket Association, is from Hertfordshire and as a qualified coach will run an eye over some young Tigers.
Dan Smith, Heidelberg
The 23-year-old, lined up for a season in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association, is an all-rounder. He has cemented his place at the top of the order for his club, Fylde, and bowls good leg spin. In 2023 Smith was outstanding with the bat, scoring 789 runs at 46.41 and taking 19 wickets at 12.32. He enjoyed another successful season in 2024, this time standing out with ball with 51 at 11.35 as captain.
Sam Smith, St Bernard’s
A season in the time-honoured Subbies awaits Smith, 18, from Berkshire in England. A product of the Berkshire County CC pathway, he shapes the ball away from right-handers and operates at a sharp pace. “His cricketing intelligence sets him apart; he reads conditions and opposition batters well, allowing him to adapt his strategies accordingly,’’ CricX said. “A trusted option at the death, he possesses an excellent range of slower balls and cutters to deceive set batters.’’ His batting is more than useful too and he’s good in the field. Smith will play for the Snowdogs as part of the International Cricket Program.
Will Tripcony, Elsternwick
At 6’6, it will be hard to miss Tripcony as he broadens his cricket experience with historic Elsty in the Victorian Sub-District association. The 21-year-old is a top-order batter out of the Dorset County pathway system and has represented the county at every age level. He captained the Dorset Under 18 team and is now a regular in the NCCA First XI as an opening batter. At club level, he plays for Bashley Cricket Club in the highly competitive Southern Premier League. In his breakthrough 2022 season he hit 695 runs at 46.33, earning an elevation to the Hampshire County 2nd XI. In 2023 Tripcony gave a notable performance in National Counties cricket, blitzing 92 against a Hampshire attack featuring Pakistan international Mohammad Abbas and South African veteran Kyle Abbott. He started his 2025 season with the bang of a stunning 216 for Cardiff UCCE against Glamorgan CCC 2nd XI. CricX called him a “versatile, high-potential cricketer who offers quality with both bat and ball’’ and a “valuable asset to any club looking for a motivated overseas player’’.
Max Turner, Bayside
Turner is well credentialed for his summer with the Stingrays, being part of the Derbyshire CCC pathway talent. He opens the bowling for Golcar CC in the Huddersfield ECB Premier League and can add punch with the bat in the middle-order.
Patrick Turner, Dingley
The Dingoes have secured a tall opening bowler for their 2025-26 Cricket Southern Bayside season. Turner has experience playing ECB Premier League Cricket, turning out for Langley and now Tickhill in the Yorkshire Southern Premier League. The right-arm seamer has spent a season in New Zealand, taking 30 wickets at 19 for his Canterbury club.
Joe Vaughan, Bentleigh
Vaughan turned out for the Demons last season and was a notable player for the Division 3 team, scoring a century and four half-centuries.
Ed Wade, New City
Wade, 21, has a strong background in club and university cricket, and in his final youth game scored 217 against Cornwall Under 18s. Last year he hit 977 runs at 41 across all competitions, including 759 league runs, and took 27 wickets. His performances were instrumental in Clifton Alliance securing its first Yorkshire League title.
Ben Walkden, Airport West St Christophers
Walkden has re-signed with his VTCA club after a strong season with bat and ball last season. His performances included a knock of 96 against Deer Park and a six-wicket bag against Keilor.
Cam Ward, Westmeadows
The wicketkeeper-batter will link up with close friend and teammate Ben Willsdon at the VTCA club.
Harry Warwick, Keilor
Warwick, 31, is a seasoned cricketer, having appeared in Premier League ranks for more than a decade. Representing Cleethorpes in the Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League, Warwick has scored runs consistently and bountifully, as when he hit just shy of 800 runs in 2004.
Harawal Wassam, Golden Point
Top-order batter Wassam, 27, is expected to quickly set down his stamp on the Ballarat association. He plays ECB Premier Cricket in the South Wales league and is also a member of the Cardiff UCCE squad in South Wales, playing against County teams.
Liam Webb, Longwarry
Webb will send down his left-arm seam in the Warragul and District association in Gippsland, and he’ll also be part of the club’s junior coaching panel.
Zach Webb, Bonbeach
Webb, 18, is an exciting batting all-rounder with a fine record at school level. He’s from the Tunbridge Wells club, a powerhouse in the Kent Premier League, where he’s broken into the top team. CricX said Webb was a “talented, driven cricketer ready to make his mark overseas’’.
Ben Whitehouse, Darley
A product of Loughborough MCCU, Whitehouse is a young quickie who has regularly been clocked between 80-85mph and combines natural inswing with sharp seam movement, making him a handful for batters. He is now focused on breaking into the Leicestershire County 2nd XI as he pushes for higher honours in the UK.
Louis Whitmore, Moorabbin
Another top-order player from Tewksbury, where he plays with Josh Barnes. He stands 6’5 and as well as being known for his elegant strokeplay at the top of the order, he can send down some handy medium pacers. He’s only 21 yet already has about 2000 First XI runs to his name.
Shay Williams, Newcomb and District
The right-arm spinner calls Colwyn Bay home. It’s a prominent club in the Liverpool and District competition and in the past five years Williams has taken a total of 120 wickets across the firsts and seconds. “Shay is not only a skilful bowler but also a reliable contributor with the bat,’’ CricX said. “His ability to dig in and add valuable runs makes him a well-rounded player and a vital team asset.’’
Ben Willsdon, Westmeadows
Willsdon is a top-order batter and plays for Sussex Premier Cricket League power Cuckfield. Attending the prestigious Hurstpierpoint College, he excelled in school cricket, peeling off a highest score of 112 and captaining the first team.
Lawrence Wilson, Portarlington
The all-rounder will strengthen a team that has fallen short in the past two semi-finals.
Myles Wood, Bentleigh
Wood, 19, will keep for Cricket Southern Bayside’s Demons next season. He is from the Hanging Heaton club in the Bradford Premier League, where he has made his name with sharp glovework and clean ball striking, with his right-hand batting said to be composed and technically sound.
Henry Woolf, Richmond City
Woolfe spent last season playing for Parkdale in Division 1 of Cricket Southern Bayside, opening the bowling and taking a useful 24 wickets. The 23-year-old also got involved in junior coaching at the Dales, using his qualification as a UKCC Level 2 coach.
A PACKAGE
John Moon, James Meggitt, Dan Blatherwick, St Albans
A trio of re-signings for the VTCA club. Blatherwick did his bit with bat and ball, Meggitt averaged 37 in the top-order and Moon contributed 321 runs.
NSW
Thomas Lindsay, Marist Brothers Lismore
Lindsay, 23, presents as a good package for his club. From Yorkshire, he’s a right-arm paceman with good control and a hard-hitting, right-handed batter through the middle. He plays for Hanging Heaton in the strong Bradford Premier League, where he has contributed with bat and ball this year.
Joe Thorne, Rohan Vallabhaneni, Epping Bulls
A double signing for the Bulls in the Sydney Shires competition. Both players are part of the Warwickshire CCC pathway system. Vallabhaneni plays for Newcastle & Hartshill CC in the strong North Staffs South Cheshire League and made his first ton last year as his side went through unbeaten. In 2024 he made 2077 runs across all cricket and contributed 546 runs to the First XI.
WA
Mo Arabi, Secret Harbour Dockers
Heading for the Peel Cricket Association, the 22-year-old is a stylish top-order batter out of the Buckinghamshire County Cricket Club Academy and U18s pathway. “His goal is to immerse himself in a new cricketing culture, test his skills in unfamiliar conditions and take his game to the next level,’’ CricX said.
Nathan Ashford, Roleystone Karragullen
The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Manchester is making his mark at Spring View in the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition, doing well with the bat and the gloves. Last year he had a successful stint in New Zealand and will be looking to draw on that experience when he lands at Cross Park.
Etienne Beukes, White Knights Balvidis
Beukes, who is studying at the University of Western Australia, was a Namibia Under 19 representative in 2019. The left-hand batter and a left-arm orthodox spinner grew up in South Africa and was recently invited to join the Titans franchise in Pretoria.
Jaime Cooper, Rockingham Mandurah District
The seamer will make her first trip to Australia to play female WA Premier Cricket.
Sam Critchley, Warnbro Swans
Another player to line up in the Peel Cricket Association, Critchley is a batting all-rounder.
Luke Horgan, Rockingham Mandurah
A summer of WACA Premier Cricket awaits Horgan, who will be hitting Australian shores for the first time. Alongside his club commitments, he will be part of the world-class International Cricket Program in Perth, enhancing his development on and off the field.
Ethan Hutchins, Secret Harbour Dockers
A left-arm seam bowler, Hutchins is from Wiltshire and has played previously in Australia for Moorooduc, Brighton Union and North Albury.
Ben Kavanagh, Warnbro Swans
The 19-year-old is an emerging quickie from Cambridge who bowls with good pace and control and is a useful lower-order batter. Kavanagh plays for Histon Cricket Club in the Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Premier League, and has also been part of the Warwickshire County Cricket Club Under 18 side and elite player pathway for two years.
Iden McCleave, Rockingham Hornets
McCleave has recommitted to the Peel Cricket Association club after a brilliant debut season with the Hornets in which he piled up more than 700 runs across all competitions and snared more than 30 wickets.
Charlie Parkinson, Ocean Ridge
The Lancashire Cricket pathway quick will let his right-armers fly in the WA Suburban Turf Cricket Association. Last year the 18-year-old played for the Lancs 2nd XI, in one match showing his capabilities with the bat with an even 50 down the list.
Anthony Quinn, Dunsborough
Quinn is back at Dunsborough after his outstanding 2024-25 season in the Busselton Margaret River Cricket association campaign. He grabbed 58 wickets at an average of just 8.55, earning a spot in the CricX team of the year; he was indeed the mighty Quinn.
Oscar Smith, Luca Doyle, Halls Head
Both players will embark on their maiden seasons in Australia, showing their wares in the Peel Cricket Association.
Jess Willathgamuwa, Perth
Set to step up to WA Premier Cricket, Willathgamuwa is the US women’s national team’s left-arm seamer. The 24-year-old – who was born in Baulkham Hills, NSW – has played 14 matches for the States.
TASMANIA
Owen Smith, Sheffield
The Yorkshire County Cricket Club Academy and 2nd XI wicketkeeper will become a Mountaineer next season, lining up for their Tasmanian Cricket North campaign. Smith can bat anywhere in the top-order, as he has displayed at Barnsley Woolley Miners in the strong Yorkshire Premier League, where he made his top-team debut at age 15.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Thomas Burton, Greenock
Burton is back in the Barossa and Light association after hitting a century and more than 300 runs last season.
Charlie Hood, Unley
Hood will return for a second season with Unley in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association after blitzing more than 700 runs and having 30 dismissals behind the stumps last season.
Archie Houghton, Unley
The Adelaide Turf Cricket Association will see an exciting bowling all-rounder in 21-year-old Houghton. The left-arm spinner is a Northamptonshire County Cricket Club pathway graduate and represented the County from Under 9 through to Under 19, earning a place in the Academy for two years and featuring in the 2nd XI on multiple occasions. While he narrowly missed out on a professional contract, he has continued to thrive at a high level.
Sunshine Osmont, Encounter Bay
From Cornwall, “Sunny’’ Osmont bowls right-arm seam and is out of the Cornwall County Cricket Club pathway system. He’s done well for his club, Helston, in the Cornwall Premier League. “The all-rounder is no doubt a huge talent,’’ CricX said.
Matt Smalley-Harris, Encounter Bay
The 27-year-old is an experienced player and coach making another trip to Australia, this time in the Great Southern Cricket Association. From Buckinghamshire, he has excelled at club level in the past six seasons and is captain of Boxmoor in the Hertfordshire Cricket League. Off the field, Smalley-Harris is the founder and head coach of Elevate Cricket Academy UK, a growing development program where he works full-time with cricketers of all ages. A qualified ECB Level Two Coach, he is working toward his Level Three accreditation.
QUEENSLAND
Finn Bryan, Glasshouse Districts
A return to Steve Irwin Way and the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association for Bryan, who averaged 33.09 with the bat and 18.11 with the ball last season.
Ethan Walsh, USC
The left-arm spinner is returning to USC, where last season he was exceptional with 43 wickets at an average of 9.05. He also became a role model for the club’s juniors.
Originally published as The UK imports coming to Australian club cricket in 2025-26
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