The best performing junior batters and bowlers in the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association
The Sunshine Coast cricket season has unearthed some incredible performances by our next generation of stars. Stats reveal the leading young guns who are proving to be the best. See the full list.
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We’re past the halfway mark of the local cricket season and plenty of young stars have emerged in the junior divisions of the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association.
Following the summer break the action will resume from Friday, January 19.
From a pool of 1480 young bowlers and batters, here are the top three players from under 13s to under 17s who have proved their worth in the opening rounds.
To see the full players rankings of every senior and junior, male and female player click here.
Under 13B (North and South)
Bowlers
3. Ekamjit Singh (Maroochydore), 15 wickets, 5.35 economy from 46.3 overs and best figures of 3/18.
2. Hugh Colmer (USC), 15 wickets, 2.5 economy from 40 overs and best figures of 3/10.
1. Caleb Wruck (Caloundra), 18 wickets, 2.77 economy from 28.5 overs and best figures of 5/1.
Wruck has been in fine form this season, leading the way with some impressive figures.
In round four it was as close as you can come to a perfect performance from Wruck who started his bowling innings with a no ball before grabbing his first wicket in his opening over.
He then was called upon again in the seventh over where he bowel six straight dot balls.
His arm must’ve been warmed up by his third spell as he collected four wickets in a row to finish with figures of 5-1 from 2.5.
To add to his day, he scored his team’s’ second highest score with 29 runs from 29 balls.
Batters
3. Angus Halloran (USC), 332 total runs, 49 fours, 7 sixes, 71 high score and an average of 41.5 from 101 innings.
2. Harrison East (Cooroy-Eumundi), 357 total runs, 62 fours, 0 sixes, 56 high score and an average of 71.4 from 10 innings.
1. Blake Catchlove (Caloundra), 408 total runs, 76 fours, 0 sixes, 73 high score and an average of 81.6 from 9 innings.
The Caloundra captain has been on a tear with the bat this season featuring in the team of the weeks or honourable mentions four times.
Catchlove has retired not out on four occasions, which is also how many half centuries he’s been able to record.
Under 13A
Bowlers
3. Caleb Davis (Flinders), 13 wickets, 3.06 economy from 35 overs and best figures of 4/1.
2. Oscar Rose (Tewantin-Noosa), 13 wickets, 3.16 economy from 28.3 overs and best figures of 3/7.
1. Ged Barrett (Maroochydore), 14 wickets, 4.12 economy from 28.4 overs and best figures of 3/7.
It’s close competition in the bowling ranks but Barrett has been leading the way against some worthy opponents.
The Maroochydore Blue side has won nine matches and only lost two games this season as they sit in second spot on the ladder.
Batters
3. Adam Kahts (Coolum), 265 total runs, 41 fours, 0 sixes, 46 high score and an average of 44.17 from 11 innings.
2. Hudson Bourne (Maroochydore), 295 total runs, 47 fours, 4 sixes, 62 high score and an average of 49.17 from 9 innings.
1. Max Bloomfield (Maroochydore), 340 total runs, 53 fours, 3 sixes, 78 high score and an average of 56.67 from 11 innings.
The Sunshine Coast Grammar student, who is in his fourth year of club cricket, has been in solid form at the top of the order.
“I try to maintain a positive mindset both with the bat and in the field,” he said.
“I’m fortunate to be in a supportive club environment, with a fun coach and surrounded by a great team of boys.”
Bloomfield’s Maroochydore Red side is in fourth place this season with six wins and five losses.
“I’m pleased with how things are going, I’m hoping to finish strong to help my team make the finals,” he said.
The rising star said he was eager for the junior competition to resume.
“I love everything about cricket,” he said.
“I enjoy batting, I really like chasing the boundaries, slipping and sliding in the outfield and there’s nothing better than a classic catch.”
Under 15B
Bowlers
3. Cohen Wiedman (Caloundra), 13 wickets, 3.15 economy from 33 overs and best figures 3/7.
2. Kaiden Tallar (Landsborough), 13 wickets, 2.66 economy from 29.4 overs and best figures 4/17.
1. Jacob MacDonald (Nambour) 15 wickets, 1.36 economy from 39 overs and best figures of 4/15.
The rising Nambour star has put his name on the map this season with some terrific opening bowling spells for his side.
Despite being just 13-years-old, the talented St John’s College student is a deadly right arm fast bowler.
“I feel I have been performing well in my cricket because I feel I am in a great environment with my coaches and teammates,” MacDonald said.
“I like to go on the attack with my bowling and I have also had some opportunities to captain the team which has made me think about strategy a lot more.”
MacDonald is in his fifth season of club cricket, his first with Nambour, and hoped he could continue his solid form.
“I’m just happy with how I’m going, I do hope I can keep getting wickets and scoring runs as well,” he said.
Batters
3. Oliver Meuleners (Landsborough), 214 total runs, 34 fours, 6 sixes, 148 high score and an average of 69.75 from 4 innings.
2. Tobey Sawford (Coolum), 221 total runs, 39 fours, 1 six, 94 high score and an average of 73.67 from 6 innings.
1. Baiden Aspinall (USC), 260 total runs, 42 fours, 4 sixes, 109 high score and an average of 43.33 from 7 innings.
In his seventh season of club cricket Aspinall has shown nice promise as a solid top order, right handed batter.
“I’ve been able to perform so well because I have put more effort into practice and I have a great group of mates who help and encourage me to be my best,” he said.
“I would describe my playing style as a very aggressive player that looks to tick the run rate over quickly.”
The 14-year-old is a Siena Catholic College student and credits his leading performances to his coach and the players around him.
“My goal for this season is to try and help my team reach the finals and try and pick up another 50 or two or maybe a 100,” he said.
“I would like to say a big thank you to Pete Rafter who has been my coach since I started playing cricket, he has taught me all I know and has helped me strive to be my best.
“ Over the years I have had some really close mates that have encouraged me and helped me to be the player I am today.”
Under 15A
Bowlers
3. Peyton Meredith (Glasshouse), 14 wickets, 4.39 economy from 31.4 overs and best figures 5/20.
2. Murphy Fleming (Caloundra), 14 wickets, 3.04 economy from 40.5 overs and best figures 3/3.
1. Aedan Mayo (Tewantin-Noosa), 15 wickets, 2.86 economy from 51 overs and best figures 4/22.
Mayo is a rising star in the junior rankings and has skyrocketed this season after some well deserved representative opportunities.
The St Teresa’s Catholic College student is a promising off spin bowler and said he had been playing cricket for nine years.
“I always attend all of the possible training sessions I can go to, including seniors training, which takes place after junior training,” he said.
“When I’m training, I always look for ways to improve my game with the ball as well as the bat.
“I have built consistency with my line and length by placing or imagining a target where I want to aim.
He said the mentorship and guidance from senior players such as Ben Laughlin, Jarrod Officer and Michael Eckard had been a major boost for his confidence.
Mayo’s side sits second on the ladder so far this season with five wins and one loss.
“By the end of the season, a goal I am aiming for is to hopefully play finals with my U15 team along with my fourth grade senior team, as well as getting opportunities to play in higher grades,” he said.
Batters
3. Maximus Holden (Coolum), 224 total runs, 29 fours, 0 sixes, 59 high score and an average of 56 from 7 innings.
2. Cody Emerson (Maroochydore), 241 total runs, 27 fours, 1 six, 81 high score and an average of 80.33 from 6 innings.
1. Peter Mills (Yandina), 260 total runs, 41 fours, 1 six, 103 high score and an average of 65 from 6 innings.
The Yandina side has recorded three wins and three losses so far this season with Mills in terrific form with the bat.
The Nambour State College student, who has been playing cricket for 10 years, generally bats at number four or five and has a cracking strike rate of 112.07 from his six innings.
After his round six performance of 72* from 43 he said he was proud of his performance and credited his in-form season to coaching and his enjoyment for the game.
“Good coaching over the years, having patience and picking the right ball to hit,” he said.
“I would best describe my batting style as sometimes aggressive depending on the situation and the runs needed.”
Under 17
Bowlers
3. Dallas Keast (Caboolture), 12 wickets, 3.98 economy from 45 overs and best figures of 4/7.
2. Hayden Gould (Nambour), 12 wickets, 2.38 economy from 61 overs and best figures 3/6.
1. Oscar Cawse (Maroochydore), 24 wickets, 2.66 economy from 53 overs and best figures 7/26.
Cawse has far and away been a standout in the junior competitions this season.
The 16-year-old Chancellor State College student ranks as the leading junior bowler and sits in fourth spot on the overall rankings.
The left arm off spinner is also the only player inside the top 20 rankings to take more than 20 wickets while only bowling less than 55 overs.
“Sometimes things just click but I think bowling with confidence and trusting myself a lot more has been the main reasons,” he said.
“Sometimes the wickets don’t come but it’s important to know your processes because if you’re bowling well and the ball is coming out right, something’s generally building.
“Working on the mental side is a big part but obviously getting down to the nets and just getting solid repetition to know you can put the ball on a certain spot when you need to.”
Cawse played a handful of senior matches last season but has been a regular name on the Maroochydore fourth grade team sheet throughout 2023/24.
“It’s good experience, sometimes it’s funny seeing the older blokes get a bit fiery because a kid is getting them out but it does just come down to bowling economically.
He said he was proud of his performances so far this season.
“I’m happy with how things are tracking, I’ve been really happy to be getting into a bit of representative cricket like for the U16s Bulls Masters in Bundaberg and playing some Lord’s Taverners cricket at the back end of the season,” he said.
“I’m happy with where I’m at currently because I know that if I keep on being consistent in my performances I can hopefully go further than third or fourth grade.”
Batters
3. Ben Gordon (Coolum), 342 total runs, 31 fours, 15 sixes, 167 high score and an average of 57 from 7 innings.
2. Joe Murray (Cooroy-Eumundi), 353 total runs, 47 fours, 4 sixes, 113 high score and an average of 88.25 from 7 innings.
1. Will Dodunski (Maroochydore), 408 total runs, 44 fours, 2 sixes, 153 high score and an average of 102 from 6 innings.
Dodunkski has continued his super form this season, returning from Scorchers duties and leading the run scorers leaderboards for all junior players.
The 15-year-old currently sits in overall sixth place behind five senior players.
“I love opening the batting which I do in club cricket and then at the representative level I am usually a middle order batsmen,” he said.
“I have been working hard in the nets on my batting and I feel pretty confident at the moment.
“I am seeing the ball well and feeling relaxed, I have a lot more self belief.”
The Matthew Flinders Anglican College student, who has been playing cricket for 10 years, is also a talented leg spin bowler.
Dodunski snagged a hatrick against Caboolture in round six and finished with figures of 4-37 from 10.3.
“Again I am working hard and would like to be back bowling in the 2024 representative side,” he said.
“At the moment I am enjoying my cricket a lot and am excited about my future in the game.
“I have been lucky enough to work with some great coaches and mentors over the years.”
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