Here is a GPS cricket old boys XI who can help the Bulls and Heat in 2022-23 - and beyond

Here is a boom GPS cricket old boys XI set to boost Queensland’s Shield and Heat selection options in 2022-23 and beyond.

Andrew Dawson

3 min read

January 26, 2022 - 2:00AM

Quest Newspapers

Local sport

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It is one of Queensland sports greatest breeding grounds and now it is set to deliver the Bulls’ squad and Brisbane Heat an injection of more selection options in 2022-23 - and beyond.

The GPS Association’s First XI cricket competition has produced a galaxy of stars, stretching back to the 1920s - Ron Oxenham (Gregory Terrace) and Otto Nothling - and continuing down the ages with champions like Ron Archer, Peter Burge, Ian Healy and Craig McDermott.

Only this season BSHS old boy Marnus Labuschagne (world Test No.1 bat) and Churchie old boy Ben McDermott (BBL Player of the Tournament) were rightly put on pedestals.

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And now the next generation of talented players from the elite GPS schoolboy competition are flooding the grade scene.

Below we name a recent GPS old boys XI featuring players capable of knocking on the selection door for the Sheffield Shield and BBL.

Andrew Dawson will again cover the GPS First XI season for the www.couriermail.com.au, with his report posted each Saturday early evening.

Hugo Burdon caught behind by Toby Snell in GPS cricket. Photo by Richard Gosling

1. Tobias Snell (Terrace old boy, Toombul)

The wicketkeeper batsman who was Australia’s first choice gloveman for the under 19 World Cup currently being staged in the West Indies.

Uni batsman and century maker Jack Clayton. Picture, John Gass

2. Jack Clayton (Brisbane Boys College old boy, University)

A classy right handed bat from the powerhouse University of Queensland club who was glimpsed by Queensland cricket followers when he made his debut for the Brisbane Heat.

Hugo Burdon in a Brisbane Heat unifor. Picture credit: Getty Images, Brisbane Heat

3. Hugo Burdon (The Southport School old boy, Gold Coast)

A batting young gun who, in his first season out of school, has already risen to play Queensland Second XI cricket. He was also drafted into the Heat squad during the COVID-19 crisis earlier this month. He had the distinction of fielding for Australia in the First Test as a sub.

Redlands bowler Jack Sinfield. Picture, John Gass

4. Jack Sinfield (The Southport School old boy, Redlands Tigers)

The Brisbane Heat squad member who made the Australian under 19 World Cup squad. Off-spinner and batting gun.

5. Aubrey Stockdale (Terrace old boy, Toombul)

Stockdale was an unlucky omission from the Australian under 19 squad where he was named a shadow player.

Dylan Kritzinger playing for Terrace. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

6. Dylan Kritzinger (Terrace old boy, Redlands)

An excellent batsman, Kritzinger comes from the Redlands and Terrace cricket programs who played First XI last season.

Norths bowler Noah McFadyen. Picture John Gass

7. Noah McFadyen (Nudgee old boy, Northern Suburbs)

Another unlucky Australian under 19 omission, McFadyen is a high class swing bowler and excellent middle or lower order left handed batsman.

Toombul bowler Tom Balkin lets rip. He is the real deal when it comes to promising players. Picture, John Gass

8. Tom Balkin (Nudgee old boy, Toombul)

The wildcard in the pack who is as talented as anyone on this list. Built low to the ground, Balkin generates genuine pace and enjoyed a five wicket Premier first grade haul for Toombul earlier in the season. He is also a promising, hard hitting batsman.

Norths bowler William Prestwidge. Picture, John Gass

9. Will Prestwidge (Terrace old boy, Norths)

Prestwidge is a bit of a wildcard fast bowler. He was unable to bowl during his last season of First XI due to injury in 2020, playing as a batsman. He has been glimpsed by the wider public in the BBL and is a very, very promising with plenty to offer. From the famous Prestwidge cricketing family.

Tom Whitney is an IGS old boy and Aussie under 19 bowler.

10. Tom Whitney (Ipswich Grammar School old boy, Western Suburbs),

Whitney has really come on as a fast bowler, emphasised by his selection in the Australian under 19 side. He generates pace and bounce and is a grand prospect who hits the gloves hard.

11. Matthew Willans (Brisbane Boys College old boy, University)

The talented left arm fast bowler is somewhat of a sleeping giant of Queensland cricket whose workload is being carefully managed by Queensland cricket.