Townsville Cricket’s 73 junior cricketers to watch this summer

Townsville’s summer of junior cricket will begin with a bang on Saturday as green shoots sprout at all clubs. Meet the 73 juniors we’re keeping close watch of this summer.

Townsville Junior Cricket. Under 15 Wests against Brothers at Cutheringa. Wests Hunter Brischetto. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville’s summer of junior cricket will begin with a bang on Saturday as green shoots sprout at all major clubs - including ones long dormant in the junior space.

Saints Cricket Club will field its first junior team in nearly a decade when its Under-11 team takes on Sub Parks at Annandale State School.

Club president Chris Llewelyn said years of investment in the Master Blasters format had enabled the club to rekindle its competitive junior grades, having last fielded a team in the 2015/16 season.

“It’s a pretty big day for us,” he said.

“This is our first time back (in juniors) in 10 years. For the last couple of years we’ve been doing our Blasters programs and this is our first foray since ‘15/16, when we last had juniors.

“We’re growing from the ground up. Two years ago we started the Blast Rookies after school, then we moved into Friday night Challengers for 7-10 year olds.

“We tried to get 13 year olds going but fell short but it’s all cool because now we have this base we can grow from next year as well.”

There is hope that steady gains in the juniors will allow Saints to return to the A Grade competition they won premierships in during the club’s glory days.

It follows the model employed by Northern Beaches, which withdrew from A Grade several seasons ago but is slowly working towards a comeback in Townsville’s flagship grade.

In honour of the impending junior season, the Bulletin has interviewed coaches from across the district to uncover the promising juniors who have put in the work to shine this summer.

In total 73 young juniors have been put forward across Wests, Norths, Brothers, Sub Parks, Northern Beaches, Wanderers and Charters Towers.

Included among them are a number of players punching above their weight in age groups in seek of greater challenge.

Some, like Brothers trio Zac Hayes, Oscar Storor and Charlie Crocker, have already tasted A Grade.

Others are rapidly approaching their time in the top division with composed performances in Sunday reserve grade while chipping away in Saturday junior competitions/

Others, at the opposite end of the experience spectrum, are simply playing up to test themselves.

Wests’ Jordan Bye is 12 years old but will take on the best of Townsville’s under-15 competition.

Northern Beaches’ Ethan Banya is nine years old but will take on the under-13 competition.

Wests’ Hugo Collins is eight but will play up in the under-11s.

Those steps will be instrumental when they return to their age groups battle-hardened from their experiences playing against older opponents.

UNDER-17s

Zac Hayes, Brothers

One of the most promising Brothers juniors in recent memory. Hayes made his A Grade debut last season as a 15-year-old and expects to play more A Grade this season, with appearances in the under-17s whenever available. A traditional cricketer who prefers to drive down the ground

Oscar Storor, Brothers

A 2024/25 A Grade debutant who projects as a more regular selection in reserve grade and the under-17s. Storor is a punishing player of the short ball with a fearless pull shot and cut shot among the best in his repertoire.

Charlie Crocker, Brothers

An A Grade debutant of last season who bowls right arm pace. Crocker is a tight line-and-length bowler who excels at tying batters up and building pressure.

Nick Pengelley, Norths

The lack of an Under-17 team at Norths last year forced the Burdekin product to spend a full season in reserve grade, and Pengelley’s development has benefited greatly from playing against men. Pengelley captained the North Queensland under-16s last season and will stand up as the senior voice at Norths U17s. A powerful left-handed batsman who doesn’t mind taking on attacks through the air, and also chips in with left-arm finger spin.

Patrick Fanning, Norths

Captained the NQ U15 team last week as a left handed top-order bat and medium fast bowler. Very strong player through cover.

Jaxson Caswell, Norths

A left-handed bat, left arm spin option. A classical straight bat cricketer.

Brooke Morrish, Norths

Outstanding female cricketer playing state under-19 and under-16s. A right-hand middle order bat and offspinning all-rounder who excels at manipulating the bat. Following in the footsteps of Queensland Cricket star Sianna Ginger who also played Norths U17s before launching her career down south.

Stanley Serovita, Wanderers

The most promising all-rounder at Wanderers, Serovita’s availability for the under-17s will be limited by his A Grade duties.

Serovita will feature in the under-17s as often as available, where he factors as a right-handed No.3 bat and seam bowler.

He is very technically correct but has a knack for hitting big boundaries when he needs them - including a matchwinning shift in the B-Grade semi-final last season.

Rory Landy, Wanderers

A lanky pace prospect who debuted in A Grade this year but expected to be a regular contributor in B Grade and the under-17s.

Consistent line and length is his weapon, while his height (estimated between 190 and 193cm) produces bounce that can trouble even the most talented of batsmen.

Dane Craperi, Wanderers

Legspining is a tough craft in juniors but Craperi has played two games in B Grade and is starting to find his feet.

Craperi can turn the ball a long way and has found strong consistency after a season in the Monsoons U16s with his Wanderers teammates Serovita and Landy.

Beau McCarron, Wests

A big part of Wests ‘pathways’ B Grade side who has experienced A Grade cricket already this season. McCarron has found more confidence in himself with a full season of reserve grade last year. Coming into 2024/25 this confidence has flowed into his batting. McCarron plays the ‘V’ well and can put away bad balls with prejudice.

Jaecob Prien, Wests

Another strong straight batter who is steadily improving as his cricket experience and knowledge grows. Prien has also benefited from a season against men and a season in Brisbane with the Kings in Brisbane’s Premier League T20 competition.

Hunter Brischetto, Wests

One of Townsville’s brightest rising stars. Coaches rave about left-handed No.3 Brischetto’s textbook batting strokes as he glides the ball around the field. Brischetto’s understanding of the game is impressive and he presents as one of the district’s most exciting young talents.

Harry Pickering, Wests

A representative right-arm seamer who can open the bowling or make an impact first-change. Pickering is a classic country kid whose grit is his defining quality. Can also chip in with the bat in the middle order and is a great fielder and team man.

UNDER-15s

Callum Lindeberg, Brothers

Top-scored for NQ in the under-15 representative tournament last week. Lindeberg is an accumulator of runs who favours the pull shot. An all-rounder who chips in with line-and-length medium pace.

Archie Lansley, Brothers

The opening bat for the NQ U15 team a week ago who loves to play through point as a left-hander.

Riley Fryer, Brothers

A bowling all-rounder who bowls right-arm medium pace and is relentless in targeting the optimal line-and-length, tying the batsman up.

Oscar Bopping, Brothers

The opening bowler for NQ U15 who has developed dramatically over the past 12 months. A season ago Bopping loved his cricket but has taken the next step to become a fearsome weapon with the new ball. Like Fryer, Bopping keeps it tight and entices batters into playing shots they’d prefer not to.

Arlo Kempster-Barry, Charters Towers

A North Queensland U15 representative all-rounder who wields the willow capably and can also spin the ball well. Kempster-Barry bowls with great flight and drift with his right-handed offspin which is not too common in players his age. As a bat Kempster-Barry brings that same attacking attitude to the middle.

Liam Mitchell, Charters Towers

Mitchell scored a classy half-century with the team last season to underline his promise as a cricketer and will embark this summer on a mission to add consistency to his undeniable talent in the pitch. Watch out for Mitchell in the middle order.

Tully Kempster-Barry, Charters Towers

A right arm quick who pushes them through reasonably well on good line and length.

Aaron Murray, Charters Towers

A right arm medium fast who bowls beautifully in the corridor around off-stump.

Lucas Morrish, Norths

Very good rep cricketer. Left arm bowler, right hand bat,

Jack Deyes, Norths

Right arm fast bowler, very good young prospect. He’s kept on growing on, going to be a good cricketer.

Lachlan Taylor, Norths

A representative bowling all-rounder who is another strong prospect.

Tom Bennett, Norths

North’s leading wicket-taker in the Under-15s as a 14-year-old will return to terrorise the division in his final year of eligibility. Not a super fast bowler but has superb control of the seam.

Ricky Paterson, Sub Parks

Paterson has had an unlucky run of injuries over the last couple of years. He is looking to have a breakout season in U15s and fill in for the club’s senior teams when needed. Having made his reserve grade debut a few weeks ago, he looks set for a good season as a right-handed bat and medium fast bowler.

Zakariah Peronis, Sub Parks

If Peronis continues his development from last season in the under-13s he should do very well. With a top score of 56 from nine innings last year he accumulated 194 runs with an average of 48.5 and is a right-handed fast bowler.

Meah Hodge, Sub Parks

Meah was the recipient of our Sub Parks’ inaugural Margret McKay most promising female player award last season. Her pace bowling figures for last season were 9 for 75 off 24 overs at an average of 8.33. Best figures 3 for 10.

Rob Graham, Wanderers

Just come into the age group who played rep last year. A strong right-handed batsmen who plays straight with good technique.

Ben Abdy, Wanderers

The younger brother of representative star Grace Abdy is a medium fast bowler with an upright stance, good technique and consistency hitting the right line and length.

Summer Christopher, Wests

A representative left arm pace bowling all-rounder hailing from Ingham who combines speed with accuracy to devastating effect. Christopher plays North Queensland under-15s, 17s and North Queensland Country under-17s and the Queensland Under-16s. Strong off the pads and plays well straight and through off-side.

Jordan Bye, Wests

A 12-year-old playing up in the under-15s in search of a proper challenge. Bye is expected to be one of the strongest cricketers in the under-15s division too. A classy left-handed top-three bat with all the shots, beautiful technique and can keep the scoreboard ticking over. Bye unleashes his outswingers right-handed, usually as first-change. To boot Bye is an athletic fielder with safe hands. He is targeting the Queensland under-12 team this season.

Carter Hague, Wests

A right-handed bowling all-rounder who opened the bowling for the North Queensland under-15 team earlier this season. Another product of Ingham, which is fast developing a reputation for producing exceptional cricketers with current youngsters Brandon Hamilton-Kaurila and Pierce Carrara both playing regular A Grade.

Jonty Furnell, Wests

An off-season transfer from Norths, Furnell batted No.3 for NQ U15. As a batter Furnell attacks the game with plenty of scoring intent.

UNDER-13s

Ashton Catalano, Brothers

Represented North Queensland and Northern Schoolboys last year. All-rounder, right hand batsman that hits a hard ball and right arm pace. Awarded the best Primary school cricketer for 2023/24 for Brothers.

Jaxon Leonardi, Brothers

Quality all-rounder who is a handy right arm bowler and strong hitter of the ball. No areas of the field are safe when he gets going.

Myles Catalano, Brothers

The younger brother of Ashton, Myles is playing up a grade in U/13’s to test himself. Similar attributes to his older brother Ashton but a left-handed version.

Harrison Wright, Brothers

Right arm quick who has shown some promise at pre-season training camps run by Queensland Cricket.

Bobby Bethel, Charters Towers

A boarder new to town who appears to be a cricketer of strong technique despite not playing much competitive cricket before. Watching him in training, coaches believes he will bring a strong package of pulls, cuts and straight shots. Bethel is also a fine bowler.

Daniel Brandis, Charters Towers

Brandis has clearly taken another big step forward in his development since last season. Primarily a right-handed straight-bat player.

Ainslie Petersen, Charters Towers

A nice right-arm bowler. As a bat, Ainslie is the team’s designated slogger. When her eye is in she can hit it a fair way.

Connor Stallman, Northern Beaches

One to watch in the batting. Stallman was Northern Beaches’ leading runscorer last season with all the shots. A wristy batter who can work the ball through all angles.

Jack James, Northern Beaches

An up-and-coming batter who is under-11 eligible playing in the under-13s. James is a strong driver off the front foot and plays well in front of the wicket.

Ed Bentley, Northern Beaches

The team’s No.1 bowler from a season ago, Bentley has brought his right-arm pace back in 2024/25 with increased accuracy and some swing as well. Better control of his whippy bowling action promises strong returns in under-13 play.

Mac O’Sullivan, Northern Beaches

A right arm quick with a straight up-and-down action that produces natural inswing. O’Sullivan will captain the team after the side won the under-11 premiership a year ago.

Ethan Banya, Northern Beaches

An incredible nine-year-old talent playing up in the under-13s. Banya is a right-arm quick who is expected to take some major development steps this season.

Jack Munro, Norths

A standout U13, right arm seamer and a very talented batsmen.

Kadon Fulmer, Sub Parks

Kadon had a good season last year in U13s and will have another year in the division to improve on his performances. Batting was his highlight, accruing 137 runs in 9 innings at an average of 22.83 with a high score of 59. Building on last year coaches expect him to do very well.

Ellie Duncan, Sub Parks

Duncan also had a breakout season in 2023/24 and Sub Parks officials expect her to do very well this year. Bowling is her strength and bagged 10 wickets for 152 runs off 39 overs with an average of 15.2. Her best bowling was 3 for 5. She has been working hard in the off season and is looking strong, with appearances set to follow in Subs’ women’s team.

Connah Moore, Sub Parks

Legspinner Moore looks to be set for her breakout club season. She is looking to dominate the age group and get a taste of U15s when possible. She is also playing in Subs’ Women’s league team.

Will Duncan

Duncan is preparing for a leading role in the Under-13 competition this season after an impressive debut year in 2023/24. He is a solid top order batter and handy quick bowler. He also likes to wicketkeep.

Jack Stanley, Wanderers

An under-12 representative player who is a beast for his age and size. A right-handed batting all-rounder who will be a strong cricketer when he grows up. Can bowl pace and finger spin.

Tavia Triffett-Driessen, Wanderers

A medium pace bowler and mid-order batsmen who has played representative cricket. A solid female cricketer who is also helping out with the coaching of an all-girls team at Wanderers.

Victoria McQueen, Wanderers

A bowling all-rounder who shapes as another important contributor to the Wanderers U13s.

Xander Allan, Wests Lets Meat (Gold)

Right arm opening bowler with good pace and is handy for a few runs in the mid- to lower order.

Charlie Collins, Wests Lets Meat (Gold)

Collins has shown vast improvement in the last 12 months. Short in stature but a top order developing all the shots. Also wicketkeeps.

Logan Hampson, Wests Opteon Solutions (Gold)

A first-change bowler who bowls medium- to fast and is improving almost daily. The right-hander can chip in with runs in the lower order also.

Emmerson Hague, Wests Opteon Solutions (Gold)

A representative opening bowler for the North Queensland under-13 team. A pocket rocket in every respect, blessed with pace that will give every batter in the division pause. Hague is no slouch with the bat either.

Archie Christopher, Wests Tide Cafe (Blue)

A wicketkeeper and middle order bat unmissable in the field with his bright red hair. When given the chance to bowl Christopher has shown he is a capable medium pace, bowling and batting with his left hand.

Jordan Manno, Wests Tide Cafe (Blue)

A young power hitter. When Manno is confident he can swing with the best of them, with cow corner his favoured boundary.

Mila Hanrahan, Wests Maccas Townsville (Blue)

A female player who joined Wests this season and is already showing signs of immense promise. Hanrahan has already played some representative cricket and shapes as a batting all-rounder of the future. She bowls medium pace and bats right handed.

Ashton Bye, Wests Maccas Townsville (Blue)

A left-handed all-rounder like his elder brother Jordan (U15), who is still working out whether to stick with his medium pace or wicketkeeping. At this age group Bye is proving a dependable option in both disciplines. Notably Bye is just nine years old but is playing against competitors up to four years his senior.

UNDER-11s

Tallen Bell, Northern Beaches

A fresh addition to a Northern Beaches team chasing back-to-back premierships in the under-11 division. Bell has hit the ball hard in training to all parts of the ground.

Josh Fredericksen

A returning player from last year’s team who coaches expect will take plenty of wickets this summer. Fredericksen is a right-arm quick who bowls as fast as he can with each delivery but balances that aggression with good line-and-length in an age group where many struggle to land six balls on the pitch in succession.

Yenuka Kodithuwakku, Norths

The gun player of the Norths under-11 side.

Flynn Llewelyn, Saints

Joined the club from Wanderers this season. Has received special dispensation to play under-11s to bolster Saints’ first junior side in a decade, having missed out on the opportunity to play for the club a season ago. A wristy right-hand bat who enjoys playing the ball off his pads.

Matty, Saints

Right hand batter who made a big impression in Master Blasters in March. McClean is a strong player of short bowling.

Lewis Jones, Saints

Jones tries to bowl as fast as he can with every delivery, and is improving his accuracy.

Halley, Saints

Another pace bowler with promise.

Samuel Adams, Wanderers

On Friday night challengers form from last season, Adams is a gun for his age group. Fast for his age, and only nine years old, Adams brings a lot of skill. A brilliant bowling action is complemented by his willingness and ability to swing the bat in the other end of the game - a true all-rounder.

Hugo Collins, Wests EMA Electrics

A young wicketkeeper-bat who is still Master Blaster eligible at only eight years old.

Patrick McKinnon, Wests NQ Electrical

An all-round cricketer.

Originally published as Townsville Cricket’s 73 junior cricketers to watch this summer