REVEALED: The players to watch for the 2024-25 Mackay Cricket Association season

The first ball of the 2024-25 Mackay Cricket Association season is just around the corner, and it’s time to find out which players are looking to play a critical role this summer.

The Mackay Cricket Association’s first grade season is set to get underway, so it’s high time we take a look at the players set to have a major influence over the 2024-25 season.

Shaun Austin - 437 runs @ 62.43, 5 wickets @ 15.00

Souths skipper Shaun Austin dominated the run tally throughout the 2023-24 season, finishing as the leading run gatherer in the competition, almost 150 runs ahead of his nearest rival.

Austin has continued to showcase his talent in the Mackay T20 Smash, currently sitting on 274 runs at an average of 68.50, with a grand final still to be played on Friday.

Shaun Austin for Souths Sharks.

Isaac Borg - 6 wickets @ 20.83, 35 runs @ 11.67

While the raw numbers from last season don’t quite jump off the page, Magpies off-spinner and 2024-25 captain Isaac Borg looks primed for a strong campaign in 2024-25.

The Queensland country player showed flashes of what he is capable of in the T20 Smash, picking up six wickets for the tournament including best figures of 2-16 from four overs, and the Magpies will be looking for more of that out of him throughout the season.

Cody Filewood - 15 wickets @ 16.73, 213 runs @ 30.43

Pioneer Valley’s star all-rounder Cody Filewood will be looking to produce another exceptional season for the reigning premiers, after finishing top six in run tally and top two in the wicket tally for the entire MCA.

Another player who put together an impressive T20 Smash showing, PV will fancy their chances at defending their title if he has another strong season.

Cody Filewood.

Joseph Hackney - 289 runs @ 36.12

Magpies’ linchpin at number three, Joseph Hackney will be looking to build on a solid 2023-24 season which saw him finish second in the run tally for the MCA.

Hackney has also plied his trade in the Bowen competition, and will be looking to build towards an even stronger 2024-25.

Luke Jackson - 236 runs @ 59.00

Walkerston’s first drop batsman and Australia over-4os representative will be looking to put together a longer season this time around, after he notched up his 236 runs in just four innings for Scrubbies in 2023-24.

With plenty of cricket experience behind him, Walkerston will look to him for another strong - and hopefully longer - season.

Darryn Dyer - 182 @ 45.50

Perhaps the biggest coup of the off-season, the rich have gotten richer as the premiers picked up one of the most dynamic batsmen in the competition in Darryn Dyer.

Coming off an extraordinary T20 Smash tournament in which he notched up a mind-boggling 144 not out off 65 and finished up the tournament with 323 runs at an average of 64.60, if that form continues then PV could be nigh unstoppable.

Darryn Dyer (left) pictured with former Australian cricketer Ben Laughlin.

Chris Day - 259 runs @ 37.00

Norths opener Chris Day showed what he is capable of in the early part of last season, with 196 runs to his name (including an innings of 126) within two weeks.

Now his side needs him to do it more consistently, as he added just an additional 63 runs to his tally from five more innings (with 43 of those coming in one knock), so Norths will be hoping the gap between his worst and best performance has shrunk.

Liam Burgess - 13 wickets @ 15.00, 142 runs @20.29

A consistent performer with the ball and a streaky batter, Liam Burgess was a key player during Souths’ campaign which came ever so close to a premiership.

He’ll look to build confidence and consistency with the bat, with more than two-third of his runs coming out of just two innings, but if he can bring that level of performance each week, look out.

Liam Zurvas - 8 wickets @ 23.12

The most speculative inclusion on the list, Zurvas’ stats in first grade aren’t anything to write home about just yet, but his five-wicket haul in the T20 Smash alone merits him a place on this list.

The young leggie showed flashes with both bat and ball during his time in first grade last year, and with age on his side he’ll be looking for a breakout 2024-25 season.

Liam Zurvas will be looking to build on an impressive 2023-24 campaign along with his superb 5-15 in the Mackay T20 Smash. Picture:Michaela Harlow

Conor Bryant - 7 wickets @ 9.71

Despite limited showings for Magpies last season, Bryant has the potential to tear through an opposition’s batting order single-handedly.

With figures of 4-10 and 3-21 (both off seven overs) to his name last season, if he’s a consistent in for his side this season then he has the potential to pick up wickets in spades.

Adam Knezevic - 8 wickets @ 6.25

Another bowler who had just three opportunities to showcase his abilities last season, Walkerston will be looking for even more from him this season after performances like his 4-17 against Magpies, along with 2-10 off six against Norths.

He hasn’t been at his finest in the most recent T20 Smash, but opposition sides would count him out at their peril.