Mackay and Whitsundays representative cricketers named

Elite with bat and ball, dynamic in the field, and deadly behind the stumps, some of Mackay’s junior cricketers have been rewarded with representative selection. READ THE FULL LIST

Some of Mackay and Whitsundays’ top junior cricketers will take to the field in five major carnivals across the state.

With the best the region has to offer with the bat and ball, the under-12s through to under-16s are poised to challenge the Far North, Central Queensland and North Queensland.

The tournaments are set to follow a successful U18s competition held in Mackay on December 3-6, where Mackay-Whitsundays won all three matches to take the title.

Read the full team lists here.

U16s Bulls Masters Youth Cup – Bundaberg

Joel McFarlane – 180 runs (average of 25.7)

McFarlane has been a strong contributor for Walkerston this season. He has scored 180 runs for a batting average of 25.7, including two half centuries against Pioneer Valley in U17s and Souths in third grade.

Liam Zurvas – 119 runs (average of 19.5), 12 wickets (average of 12.3)

Haiden Mellifont – 242 runs (average of 34.6), 10 wickets (average of 4.3)

Mellifont has recently found strong form with the bat for Pioneer Valley. The junior has played across the U17s and second grade for the club, and has scored 242 runs for a batting average of 34.57. In a single weekend of cricket, Mellifont scored 74 on the Saturday against Brothers in U17s, then 99 not out against Brothers on Sunday in the second grade. Mellifont has also taken nine wickets in the U17s, including a 5/19

Mackay Whitsundays U15's player Haiden Mellifont bowls against CQ during the U15 NQ Championships in Mackay. Photo: Callum Dick

Cooper Spencer – 145 runs (average of 18.1)

Kayne Smith – 21 wickets (average of 11.1)

Smith has been a solid contributor for Brothers across multiple grades this season. The bowler has played consistent cricket in the first grade side where he has been one of the side’s top bowlers. Smith has taken 21 wickets in 50 overs, including a 4/8 off four overs against Pioneer Valley’s first grade side, and 4/19 off four overs against Souths Sharks in the T20 Shootout.

Ben Schembri – 199 runs (average of 16.6), 12 wickets (average of 25.08)

A consistent performer with bat and ball, Schembri’s good recent form has been rewarded with representative selection. After an inconsistent start to the season with the bat in the T20 Shootout competition, Schembri began scoring runs in the longer forms of the game. He has scored 176 runs at an average of 25.14, with a top score of 54 against Magpies. He has also taken 12 wickets in 51.2 overs.

Lucas Algate – 62 runs (average of 20.7), 2 wickets (average of 18)

Algate has only managed four games for Pioneer Valley this season, but he has proven enough in limited opportunities to warrant selection. The middle-order batter has scored 62 runs at an average of 20.67, including a top score of 36 against Walkerston. Algate has also taken two wickets in 11.2 overs.

Bennet Reginato – 89 runs (average of 29.7), 8 wickets (average of 26.4 )

Nicholas Beardmore – 11 wickets (average of 18.9)

Harry Kirkwood – 7 wickets (average of 10.7)

Tyler Sign – 5 wickets (average of 14.2)

Mark DiFrancesco – 11 wicket (average of 23.7)

DiFrancesco has been one of the better U17s bowlers in 2021-22. The Walkerston quick has taken 11 wickets in 50.5 overs while rarely getting a chance with the bat. DiFrancesco has made just one run in six innings, but was left not out twice.

U15s Challenge Carnival – Mackay

Etienne Pretorius – 189 runs (average of 17.2)

Karmichael Dee – 109 runs (average of 36.3)

Charles Lott – 245 runs (average of 24.5), 12 wickets (average of 13,6)

A strong top-order batter, Lott has found runs relatively easy to score this season. With a top score of 95, Lott has scored 245 runs for an average of 24.5 across the U15s, U17s and third grade matches for Brothers. He has also taken 12 wickets in 36 overs, including a 4/16 off five overs against Pioneer Valley.

Grady Turner – 429 runs (average of 143), 8 wickets (average of 16.78)

Turner has started the 2021-22 season strongly with the bat, scoring 117 not out and 101 not out to begin the U15s season for Proserpine. The top order batter has played in U17s as well, and has only been dismissed three times in 10 innings this season. Turner is currently averaging 143 with the bat across all grades for Proserpine.

Proserpine U15s cricketer Grady Turner scores 101* in the Mackay Cricket Association competition, October 23, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Cameron Tomerini – 203 runs (average of 22.6), 17 wickets (average of 10.9)

A handy spinning all-rounder, Tomerini has developed nicely through the season as he gained senior cricket experience. Tomerini is averaging 22.6 with the bat across U15s and senior third-grade cricket this season. He has also taken 17 wickets in 40.4 overs, including a 5/21 for the Brothers’ senior thirds team.

Cameron Tomerini for Brothers U13s cricket, October 25, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Jack Muller – 85 runs (average of 42.5), 7 wickets (average of 8)

Liam Newbery – 167 runs (average of 23.9), 15 wickets (average of 16.1)

Darcy Milne – 194 runs (average of 38.8)

Typically a top order batter, Milne has enjoyed opening the innings as well. He has scored 194 runs across U15s and U17s for Proserpine, averaging 38.8, and has taken four wickets for 79 runs off 20 overs.

Jackson Riley – 35 runs (average of 11.7), 8 wickets (average of 6.3)

Kohan Mau – 54 runs (average of 10.8), 6 wickets (average of 26.3)

Kouper Minnieco – 3 wickets (average of 14)

Max Campbell – 54 runs (average of 13.5), 10 wickets (average of 4.2)

The Brothers bowler has been used effectively in the 2021-22 season. Campbell has taken 10 wickets across 17 overs for just 42 runs, as well as taking an impressive 8/7 off five overs against Magpies. Campbell is also handy with the bat, scoring 54 runs for an average of 13.5.

U14s Challenge Carnival – Townsville

Lachy Doolan – 48 runs (average of 48), 5 wickets (average of 6.4)

Tarynt Davidson – 11 wickets (average of 20.6)

Zac Miles – 29 runs (average of 14.5)

Marcus Sammut – 192 runs (average of 48)

Sammut is the second-leading run-scorer in the U15s competition this season, with the Walkerston opener enjoying a strong fortnight in November. The opening batter scored an undefeated 110 and 50 in back-to-back games, giving him a healthy batting average of 48 from his 192 runs in the season.

Ben Valmadre – 325 runs (average of 36.1), 7 wickets (average of 27.9)

Valmadre made his debut century in what has been a strong 2021-22 season so far. The typical second drop has played up in U17s as well as U15s competition this year, and has been consistent across all grades. Only once has Valmadre made less than 10 runs in the U15s competition.

Ben Valmadre will play in the U14s Challenge Carnival in Townsville.

Wes Homewood – 5 wickets (average of 9.6)

Lachlan Newberry – 2 wickets (average of 44.5)

Nate Jackson – 31 runs (average of 31), 7 wickets (average of 14.3)

Rory Franklin – 6 wickets (average of 31.3)

George Fortescue – 81 runs (average of 17.8), 5 wickets (average of 21.2)

Jamon Smith – 34 runs (average of 34), 3 wickets (average of 5.7)

Miles Cochrane – 96 runs (average of 24), 4 wickets (average of 19.8)

U13s Challenge Carnival – Home Hill

Donovan Pettiford – 77 runs (average of 15.4), 9 wickets (average of 12.7)

Corey Stroud – 48 runs (average of 24), 6 wickets (average of 11)

Jack Law – 65 runs (average of 16.3), 5 wickets (average of 4.8)

Cooper Boyce – 73 (average of 18.3), 3 wickets (average of 28.7)

Lachlin Ipson – 100 runs (average of 100), 4 wickets (average of 19)

Jack Valmadre – 97 runs (average of 10.8), 5 wickets (average of 24.2)

Jack Valmadre with all his cricket trophies. Photo: Contributed

Cael Landt – 64 runs (average of 10.7, 4 wickets (average of 19.3)

Connor Muller – 21 runs (average of 10.5, 5 wickets (average of 10.4)

Ky Porter – 109 runs (average of 21.8, 7 wickets (average of 12.7)

Brayden Manttan – 20 runs (average of 6.7, 45 runs (average of 15)

Ishan Rana – 1 run (average of 0.5, 2 wickets (average of 29.5)

Eli Johnston-Greenham – 24 runs (average of 4.8, 2 wickets (average of 27.5)

U12s Red Challenge Carnival – Mackay

Aarnav Reelh – 27 runs (average of 6.8), 4 wickets (average of 18.5)

Patrick Wicks – 47 runs (average of 15.7), 2 wickets (average of 26)

Jack Rock – 183 runs (average of 22.9), 8 wickets (average of 8.6)

Dane Wayman – 27 runs (average of 9), 4 wickets (average of 14.75)

Emerson Baker – 21 runs (average of 5.3), 5 wickets (average of 9)

Matthew Hatherly – 35 runs (average of 7), 6 wickets (average of 9.3)

William Keen – 21 runs (average of 4.2), 8 wickets (average of 8.6)

Flynn Ryan – 92 runs (average of 23), 2 wickets (average of 27)

Luke Dwyer – 30 runs (average of 7.5), 11 wickets (average of 6)

Xavier Trone – 44 runs (average of 14.7), 3 wickets (average of 14.7)

Edan Beel – 74 runs (average of 12.3), 5 wickets (average of 20.6)

Haydn Faulkner – 46 runs (average of 15.3), 3 wickets (average of 19.7)

U12s Blue Challenge Carnival – Mackay

Callum Snow – 131 runs (average of 26.2), 9 wickets (average of 5.6)

Cooper Newbery – 118 runs (average of 39.3), 5 wickets (average of 6.8)

Harper Shields – 134 runs (average of 67), 3 wickets (average of 16.7)

Akshaj Shrivastava – 79 runs (average of 26.3), 5 wickets (average of 17.8)

Reuben Beardmore – 93 runs (average of 18.6), 4 wickets (average of 23.3)

Tyler Peters – 131 runs (average of 65.5), 1 wicket (average of 21)

Liam Anderson – 76 runs (average of 15.2), 4 wickets (average of 18)

Jacob Whitby – 99 runs (average of 33), 2 wickets (average of 20.5)

Tighe Mohan – 82 runs (average of 27.3), 3 wickets (average of 27)

Kai McLoughlin – 76 runs (average of 19), 7 wickets (average of 10.4)

Hayden Zeller – 33 runs (average of 11), 6 wickets (average of 11)

Soham Rana – 42 runs (average of 14), 9 wickets (average of 6.9)