Sunshine Coast Scorchers coaches breakdown their 2023/24 senior squads
After the opening rounds of the Queensland Premier Cricket season, Sunshine Coast Scorchers senior men, women and Lord’s Taverners coaches have broken down their 23/24 squads.
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The Sunshine Coast Scorchers’ Lord’s Taverners’, senior men’s and senior women’s head coaches have broken down their complete squads for the 2023/24 Queensland Premier Cricket season.
Hundreds of players spread from Glasshouse to Gympie took part in pre-season selection before coaches whittled their squads down to a top 23 or fewer.
A number of Scorchers players have already made their mark on the state cricket scene with plenty more looking to follow in their footsteps.
See below for what each head coach had to say on their 2023/24 squad.
Lord Taverners (U17s)
New head coach Wayne Anderson has begun the 2023 season in style with the Scorchers Lord Taverners team recording four wins from their opening four matches.
In the pre-season Anderson said he was proud and excited for the season ahead.
“This is the first year I’ve taken the Lord Taverners team for about eight years or so but I put my hand up for something different and most of these boys are either 15 or 16 years old,” he said.
“The majority are new to me but they all know each other and they’ve all played with or against each other for a while.”
Following a series of trials and selection processes, the squad was cut down to 22 players from Noosa to Glasshouse.
“We were going to cut it down further to about 14 or so but the idea was to keep the larger squad together so that those players on the fringe can still train and learn as much as possible,” he said.
“It’s tough because some players are going to miss out on selection every week but it can also keep players on their toes and create some healthy competition.”
Anderson said his aim for the season was to go all the way.
“My aim is to make the grand final, obviously, but as long as we play good cricket and are competitive that’s the main thing for me,” he said.
“The Sunshine Coast hasn’t won the Lord‘s Taverners competition in the recent past and there has been some really quality teams come through so that’s something we’re all striving for.”
Will Noffke (captain)
“Will is our captain and he is an extremely good leader of this group of young men,” he said.
“His captaincy skills are a major factor in our early season success.
“Will is a big lad who bowls quick with good control and bats in the middle to lower order. He is a big hitting batsman who is used as a pinch-hitter at times. This group is fortunate to have him as a leader.”
With the ball Noffke, the son of former Australian player Ash, has recorded 6/107 from 30 overs through the opening four rounds.
Zac Robinson (vice-captain)
“Zac is our vice-captain and number three bat,” he said.
“He’s a very reliable, confident, elegant batsman and has started the season in good form.
“He is developing into a very good top order bat who knows how to bat for long periods and also bowls some handy leg spin.”
Robinson has recorded scores of 63, 37*, 110 and 57 in the opening four rounds.
Elijah Welsh
“Elijah is our wicket keeper and opening batsman,” he said.
“He is a very dynamic wicket keeper with definite leadership qualities and a promising left hand batsman who has all of the shots.”
“He is a very focused individual and we are fortunate to have a player of his calibre in our group.”
Welsh has averaged 32.25 through the opening four matches.
Aryan Sanjay
“Aryan is our other opening batsman and a right arm off spinning option,” he said.
“He’s a very skilful and free flowing batsman and is a very confident player who is not afraid to take the bowlers on at any point of the game.
“His ‘offies’ are also improving everyday and he is a great option for us in the middle overs.”
Sanjay was the top performer for the Scorchers in round two when he recorded 55 from 96 with the bat and took 3/20 from six overs with the ball.
Oli Pitcher
“Oli is our number four batsman and is a player that prefers to take his time and build into his innings when he is at the crease,” he said.
“It’s a style that works well for him as he is a very elegant batsman who just accumulates runs.
“When he truly believes in himself he will be a great batsman.”
Kaidan Jarrett
“Kaidan is our number five batsman and he’s a very laid back character, but on the field he is energetic and dynamic,” he said.
“He is a very busy batsman who just gets the job done.
“He is also a very good inner circle fielder.”
Joe Murray
“Joe is a top to middle order batsman and part time wicket keeper,” he said.
“He came to the squad late but has been able to force his way into the starting side.
“He’s a stylish batsman who loves to use his feet to the spinners.”
Daniel Desmet
“Dan is the youngster of the squad and bats in the middle order,” he said.
“He is mature beyond his years and that is a major part of his success as a batsman.
“Dan is a very technically correct batsman, but is also a very powerful hitter.
“He’s also a gun inner circle fielder.”
Desmet recorded 54 from 87 and 44 from 64 batting at six in round three and round five.
Malakai Pearce
“Malakai is a leg spinner who bowls with good control,” he said.
“He bats in the lower order, although his batting is improving and he is pushing for a batting spot higher in the order.
“Malakai is a deep thinker of the game with definite captaincy potential.”
Pearce had a standout performance in round three with figures of 4/20 from eight overs.
Ben Gordon
“Ben is a quality fast bowler, decent lower order bat and very good outfielder,” he said.
“His pace for such a young player is very impressive as he also has good control and moves the new ball enough to trouble all batsmen.
“Ben is a rising star.”
Gordon has recorded 5/113 from 33 overs in the opening four rounds.
Aidan Cushan
“Aidan is one of our three left arm quick bowlers,” he said.
“He bowls with good control and is very handy through the middle overs.
“Aidan is also quite a handy bat who could bat higher with a little work on his batting.”
Ashton Schultz
“Ashton is another of our left arm quick bowlers,” he said.
“He is deceptively quick and moves the new ball around significantly.
“Ashton is a great example of someone who doesn’t realise how good he is but when he grows stronger and gets that self belief, he will bowl at premier grade level.”
Through the first four rounds Schultz has recorded figures of 5/95 from 31 overs.
Finn Mayo
“Finn is one of our leg spinners,” he said.
“He’s continuing to improve everyday with his control, his pace and his variations are becoming a feature of his bowling.
“Finn is not a big lad, but once he fills out his bowling will go to another level.”
In the first two matches Mayo bowled in this season he recorded 3/37 from 11.3 overs.
Zaden Melverton
“Zaden is the third one of our left arm quicks,” he said.
“His action is a little bit different, but very effective.
“He is very pacey and when he gets it right he makes it very difficult for batsmen to score.”
Will Dodunski
“Will is a middle order batsman,” he said.
“He is a very busy batsman who is naturally attacking.
“Will uses his feet very effectively to spinners and despite his smallish stature he has great hitting power.
“Will is also going to be a great fieldsman when he grows stronger.”
Riley Woolmer
“Riley is a very promising right arm fast bowler,” he said.
“He’s a strong young player who bowls with a slight slinging action and he will get considerably faster as he grows and fills out over the next few seasons.
“Riley is also potentially a very good batsman and with some hard work he could eventually bat in the middle order.
“He’s also a very solid fielder.”
Angus Hetherington
“Angus is a tall, slightly gangly young lad at the moment,” he said.
“He bowls decent right arm medium pacers and works very hard on his bowling as he is developing at a rapid rate.
“Once Angus grows stronger and gets control of his body he will be a handful for any batsman.”
Riley McDonald
“Riley is a middle order batsman,” he said.
“He is a bit unfashionable at the moment but he just gets the job done more times than not.
“He is an enthusiastic player with contagious energy and one to look out for next season.”
Oscar Cawse
“Oscar is a left arm orthodox spinner and potentially very good middle order batsman,” he said.
“He has had a growth spurt recently and he is still trying to get control of his body.
“His left arm orthodox is potentially very, very good, as he has a great action.
“Once Oscar matures the sky’s the limit for him.”
1st Grade Men
For the senior men’s team, new head coach Brad Wigney is optimistic with what his young side can achieve in 2023/24.
The T20 and one day competition has already concluded as the first round of the Bulls Masters began on September 30.
The Scorchers underwent a series of player turnover after the 2022 season with not a single player featuring in their opening T20 match when compared to their round one side last season.
“From that team last year there’s probably half a dozen who are overseas travelling or playing some cricket which is great for them I think,” Wigney said.
“A call went out at the beginning of the year to see if any players or younger talents from any local clubs wanted to come along and have a crack at playing for the Scorchers.
“We got some great feedback and there’s probably 30 per cent of that list training with us which has been good.”
Wigney said he hoped to turn the club into a powerful force both on and off the field.
“It would be great to see improvement of individuals, we’d like to have guys come into contention for higher honours but I think there’s real focus on retention,” he said.
“I want a club that people want to come and play at whether they’re from the Sunshine Coast or all around the district.
“We’ve got great coaching resources so we want these younger players to come to us and stay here as oppose to them driving up and down the highway to play for another club.”
Sam Truloff (captain)
“A seasoned bat that has represented Queensland in the top order,” he said.
“Is a prolific scorer at grade level and exceptional fielder.
“Truloff averages 40 across six matches for Queensland in one day games.”
Josh Matthews (vice-captain)
“An exciting bat with the ability to take the game away from the bowlers,” he said.
“Had an indifferent season last year but we’re expecting Josh to take the next step.
“Is a top order bat.”
Nick Selman
“Like Truloff, Selman is a prolific run scorer,” he said.
“Is a seasoned ex professional county player with Glamorgan and is the backbone of our team.
“Opens the bat and can bowl some overs when required.”
Harry Clark-Burnham
“A top order bat who had a consistent year last season with plenty of starts but couldn’t quite go on with it,” he said.
“Hopefully scoring heavily in the UK recently will transfer into this season.”
Sam Gardiner
“A seasoned cricketer who had a very consistent year last season,” he said.
“Is a reliable leg spinner and an exceptional clubman.
“Sam held the reigns as captain last year and will now take over as club captain, a newly formed role as part of our leadership group.”
Tom Engelbrecht
“An ex NSW/ACT leg spinner that has represented the NSW second team,” he said.
“Tom relocated to Sunshine Coast as a builder and is an exceptional leg spin bowler who we will rely on heavily to partner Sam Gardiner.
“Tom is a very capable middle order bat as well, a very good pick up for Scorchers.”
Chad Soper
“An all-rounder from Sydney that has relocated to Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“Chad is a PNG representative and has played many international games.
“He’s a crafty medium pacer who will excel on any wicket that seams and is a very handy middle order bat.
“An all round intelligent cricketer with a team first mentality, hence his inclusion in our leadership group.”
Alex Maidment (wicketkeeper)
“Hard working cricketer with a fantastic work ethic,” he said.
“Can open the innings or bat middle order and is very much a team man who gets the job done.
“Is the fittest of our squad and not much more to say as he flies under the radar, doesn‘t say too much.”
Lleyton Chick
“A quick bowler who’s had a few injury problems of late,” he said.
“He hits the wicket hard on a great length and is still learning the art of bowling but a listener with a big heart.
“Has influenced games with the bat as a tail ender due to the value he puts on his wicket.”
Oli Bembrick
“An opening and natural bowler that bowls what's commonly known as a first-class length,” he said.
“Has very raw natural ability and after making his debut late last year he now soldiers our attack.
“Is a very good listener who will only get better as the years progress.”
Ben Baker
“An off spin bowler with a highly intelligent game sense,” he said.
“Still in school finishing his final year but has forced his way into the team purely based on performance.
“Is a future leader who bats well and while we’re not rushing Ben, his performances in white ball cricket of late have meant we can’t leave him out.
“Is obviously continuing to learn the art of spin bowling and we will be patient with him in the red ball game.”
Dan Cummins
“A middle order bat who had a very good year in red ball cricket when given the opportunity last year,” he said.
“Showed consistent performances made him a regular by seasons end.
“Has the ability to be a very good first grade cricketer.
“Can bowl off spin which Dan is working on given we have a large contingency of all-rounder‘s and positions in the team will be competitive.”
Cody Pyne
“A top/middle order bat that is a powerful hitter finding his way in cricket,” he said.
“Has the ability to take the game away from the opposition in white ball and unfortunately didn’t get an opportunity in the T20’s as we didn’t lose many wickets.
“Is an ex wicketkeeper that’s now bowling very handy medium pacers.
“Has potential x-factor once he knows his own game.”
Jack Whisker
“A top/middle order bat who likes to keep the scoreboard ticking along,” he said.
“Has a solid natural game sense and will form part of the club’s leadership group.”
Michael Wostear
“A player that’s new to the club from Gympie Gold and lives near Kingaroy but has decided to have a go at grade cricket,” he said.
“Bowls medium fast and debuted in a night game against Wynnum where held his own.
“Has had a couple of niggling injuries but we expect him to play a role throughout the season.”
Kuchu Ekanayake
“Is a mature age top order bat,” he said.
“Another Gympie lad with Sri Lankan heritage and has represented the Sri Lankan U19’s.
“Is a fluent player that is very exciting when he takes the game on.
“Is starting to find his feet at present and we’re hopeful we can see Kuchu in full flight.”
1st Grade Women (Katherine Raymont Shield)
The Scorchers women’s team have started the year with four wins and one loss and head coach Brady Barnett was confident with his overall squad.
“The squad has been bolstered with the inclusion of former international and WBBL player Rachel Priest,” he said.
“Rachel brings a wealth of experience within a relatively youthful batting line up.
“Mikayla Wrigley again will be the one to watch out for this season.
“She finished as last year's player of the year and will be out to emulate another fantastic year.
“Wrigley has also been appointed captaincy until England star Georgia Boyce arrives at the end of October.
“Queensland contracted cricketers Bonnie Berry and Lucy Hamilton will again lead the bowling attack.
“Both players are full of talent and will be eager to put some match winning performances together for the Scorchers.
“Tarah Staines has already shown her abilities this season with a match winning 76 against University in round one.
“Her ability to assert dominance with both bat and ball as well as her lightening fielding will be a big key to the success of the team.
“The emergence of youngsters, Mahli Rea, Brooke Kington and Catherine White will all get useful opportunities throughout the year.
“All three have huge amount of potential with all tasting success within the team in previous years.
“To add to this, we have season campaigners Maddy Duncan, Chelsea Baker, Phoebe Murphy and Margit Cruice rounding out our squad for this season.”
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