Juniors in Ballarat for School Sport Australia cricket titles
The state's best primary school cricketers will chase national glory in Ballarat starting this weekend. Meet the next generation of stars.
Lismore
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The cream of NSW’s rising cricket talent will take to the field next week with the return of the School Sport Australia 12 Years and Under Championships for the first time since 2019.
Famous for helping launch the careers of current legends Steve Smith (Alfords Point Public School) and Ellyse Perry (Beecroft Public School), this year’s tournament will take place over seven days in the regional Victorian city of Ballarat.
Having missed out on a place in the boys’ grand final three years ago, NSW will be eager to turn the tables, while the girls will be out to repeat the deeds of the title winning 2019 combination.
During a three-day preparation camp at Raby Oval in Sydney’s southwest, boys’ coach Jason Ellsmore said selection provided an opportunity for players to forge lifelong bonds.
“We’ll field talented teams, but the main objective is to make sure the group represents the state and their families in the appropriate way,” Ellsmore said.
Teams were selected from playing groups representing the state’s CIS schools, two Catholic zones and 12 public school regions.
“The boys squad was chosen following the NSW PSSA cricket championships held in Dubbo last month,” said Ellsmore. “However, a series of practice events were used to select the girls squad after the championships scheduled in the Riverina town of Barooga were washed out.”
Weather pending, the majority of matches in Ballarat will be played on turf wickets over a mix of Twenty20 and 35-40 over formats.
Meet the NSW stars in our player profiles below.
NSW BOYS, coach Jason Ellsmore (Dorchester Education and Training Unit)
Ethan Natkuna, The King’s School
Still in Year 5, Ethan heads to Ballarat in peak form. His 83 in Dubbo last month caught the eye of the selectors, and with 6 for 5, his right-arm leggies proved unplayable.
Rayyan Kazmi, Carlingford Public School
In a team stocked with all-round talent, Rayyan is among the best. Last week he plundered 95 not out for North District reps, and on one occasion in Dubbo, his leg spin returned a remarkable 4 for 7.
Alish Hirani, The Hills Grammar School
A member of the Kissing Point Cricket Club, Alish is equally comfortable keeping wickets and bowling leg-spin. A damaging right-hander, last month he struck 81 for Hornsby reps.
Ronav Aparajit, Westmead Public School
Ronav is a reliable top-order left-hander who knocked up a ton for Parramatta reps last season. Playing for Sydney West in Dubbo, his top score was 43 and he also made a handy contribution with his right-arm pace.
Aarham Shah, Gosford East Public School
The Terrigal batting all-rounder showed his class with the ball last month taking 3 for 1. But it was in Dubbo where he cemented his place in the NSW squad, a classy 94 for Sydney North proved too hard to ignore.
Preston Jolliffe, Biddabah Public School
The Lake Macquarie paceman is as strong as an ox, and in Dubbo he backed up a competent 3 for 37 with a solid knock of 48 to showcase his all-round ability.
Cooper Williams, Our Lady Help of Christians, Lismore
In an amazing display of resilience following the Lismore floods, Cooper maintained his composure and secured his selection with a defiant 92 for Polding Schools at the Dubbo carnival.
The lefty didn’t stop there, and three weeks ago he hit 100 for Northern Rivers against Ballina.
Edward Byrom, West Pennant Hills Public School
Edward is a right-arm swing bowler known for rushing his opponents with sizzling heat. Representing Sydney North in Dubbo, he took three wickets in one match and enhanced his reputation for bowling tight line and length.
Ulrich Vosser, Cherrybrook Public School
Ulrich is a member of the West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Cricket Club. A handy left-hand batter, it was his right-arm offies that set Dubbo alight. Playing for Sydney North, he helped roll CIS with an impressive 4 for 32.
Archie Hetherington, Lindfield East Public School
Tall and lean, Archie has the perfect build for an opening paceman. Blessed with an outswinger, the Lindfield quick’s best performance in Dubbo was a 3 for 8 for Sydney North.
Reyansh Sharma, Bella Vista Public School
Batting for Rouse Hill Rams, the left handed Reyansh recently finished unbeaten on 68 against Winston Hills. A top order specialist, the Bella Vista student has a knack for pacing his innings according to team requirements.
Reif Leach, St Patrick’s Griffith
A right-arm pace bowling all-rounder, Reif plays his club cricket for Griffith Leagues in the Riverina. Representing MacKillop in Dubbo, his NSW selection was stamped following a brilliant 50 and an outstanding spell of 2 for 7 from eight overs.
NSW GIRLS, coach Leonie Coleman (Condell Park Public School)
Bronte Morgan, Hamilton South Public School
A right-hander, Bronte is a hard hitting all-rounder who bowls with the new ball for her club side Newcastle City.
Brooke Moran, Ben Venue Public School
From the Northern Tablelands city of Armidale, Brooke is a multiskilled livewire. Capable of hurrying batters with left-arm pace, the Easts Juniors star has also represented North West in soccer and touch football.
Aishi Wijesekera, Northmead Public School
Another multi-talented performer. Aishi spends her Saturday’s bowling right-arm mediums for Winston Hills and propping up their middle order. On her days off, she likes to unwind with dancing and netball.
Matilda Brown, St Luke’s Grammar School
A powerful figure at the Harbord Devils cricket club, Matilda causes just as much trouble for the opposition with the bat as she does with her nagging medium pace.
Yuhansa Jayakody, Mowbray Public School
A busy right-hander, Yuhansa heads to Ballarat in great form. In a recent outing for North Sydney, her right-arm leggies returned 3 for 15 and with the stick, she remained unbeaten on 23.
Eloise Lawry, Pymble Ladies College
Another gifted athlete across numerous sports. Lawry’s exceptional hand-eye skills for AFL and basketball are the perfect foil for her development as a wicketkeeper. Playing club cricket for Lane Cove, she likes to take her time to build an innings, and in recent weeks has not been dismissed.
Milla Bruce, Camden South Public School
Milla is a right-arm tearaway with a deadly outswinger. With the bat, the Camden Rams all-rounder prefers to play it safe. With only two matches to her name this season, watch for her to improve as the tournament progresses.
Christine Fernance, Adamstown Public School
Christine’s game has risen to another level this season. Two weeks ago, the right-arm Newcastle City quick finished with an eye-watering 3 for 1 in a Women’s division-1 T20 match. She also suits up against the boys in the local under-14s competition.
Gayathri Naik, Riverstone Public School
Gayathri is a left-hand batter just like her favourite Indian player Smriti Mandhana. But it’s her dangerously flighted right-arm leg spin that is causing the biggest headaches. Just last week, the Blacktown Workers youngster took two scalps without conceding a run.
Ava Gaughan, St Luke’s Revesby
Playing for St Christopher‘s Panania in her local competition, Ava is fast making a name for herself as a reliable all-rounder. Tall and fast, last week she rattled her opponents with 3 for 15 and backed it up with the willow striking 34 not out.
Willa Pearson, Seaforth Public School
A genuine sports all-rounder, Pearson was a member of this year’s NSW side that was crowned School Sport Australia Under-12 Football champions. With ball in hand, the Mosman Club cricketer bowls impeccable right-arm outswing.
Taylor McMahon, Bangor Public School
Another with an insatiable hunger for cricket. Taylor plays club games for Bangor/Barden Ridge and Bankstown under-15s. Tall and strong, two weeks ago the right-hander hit 57 for Bangor and caused havoc with her right-arm pace.
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