Australian Country Cricket Championships: Every player ranked
Queensland took home the men’s and women’s titles from the Australian Country Cricket Championships and it came on the back of some huge performances. See how every player in Newcastle ranked.
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Queensland has stormed home to claim the men’s and women’s Australian Country Cricket Championships in dramatic fashion.
The men’s team came away with the title after claiming their final round game as Victoria went down to NSW on the final day to lose their grip of the trophy.
All three sides eventually finished on 18 points with Queensland taking home the silverware on net run rate.
Queensland’s women’s side finished as competition winners after overcoming Victoria in Wednesday’s final.
The Vics had posted 5-151 for victory before Queensland chased down the total with four balls to spare.
SEE HOW EVERY PLAYER COMPARED AT THE TOURNAMENT IN OUR SEARCHABLE TABLES BELOW.
FOURTH ROUND REVIEW
NSW Country appears the team to be at the Australian Country Cricket Men’s Championships after an eight-wicket win over Vic Country on Friday night.
In a match-up between the only two remaining undefeated sides, NSW claimed victory on the back of a strong bowling performance to restrict the Vics to 4-123 from their 20 overs.
Adrian Isherwood and Ben Parsons claimed the early scalps of openers Brayden Stepien and Cameron Williams, who combined for just one run, to all but set up the win although half-centuries from Nathan Freitag and Lee Stockdale proved critical.
Ethan Debono eventually led NSW to a win on the back of an unbeaten 68-run innings.
Queensland Country prevailed over the ACT by 63 runs as captain Sam Lowry scored an unbeaten half-century.
Meanwhile, SA Country survived a tight finish against WA Country to win by two wickets.
TOP MEN’S BATTERS AFTER FOUR ROUNDS
Stockdale, Lee (VIC) – 181
Lowry, Sam (QLD) – 167
Debono, Ethan (NSW) – 145
Wilkins, Matthew (QLD) – 121
Smith, Jake (Australian Capital Territory) – 114
Case, Hamish (SA) – 106
Clarke-Dehring, Cooper (WA) – 104
Roach, Jake (QLD) – 97
Moran, Jordan (VIC) – 97
Rainger, Callum (NSW) – 95
TOP MEN’S BOWLERS AFTER FOUR ROUNDS
Renton, Liam (WA) – 10 wickets
Watterson, Aidan (QLD) – 8
France, Adam (WA) – 8
Isherwood, Adrian (NSW) – 7
Preddey, Jack (NSW) – 6
Stockdale, Lee (VIC) – 6
Wrigglesworth, Jack (VIC) – 6
Golder, David (SA) – 5
Hays, Tyler (Australian Capital Territory) – 5
Simpson, Lachlan (Australian Capital Territory) – 5
DAY TWO REVIEW
Just two teams remain unbeaten after the opening two games of the Australian Country Cricket Men’s Championships.
Vic Country skipper Lee Stockdale produced a dominant all-round performance as his side posted a win over Queensland Country in a game decided under the Duckworth-Lewis Method due to rain.
Stockdale, who plays locally for Ex-Students in the Cricket Latrobe Valley competition, top scored with 55 from 94 balls before he was dismissed by Aidan Watterson (4-47) as the Vics posted 9-228.
Then he produced an impressive 3-40 with the ball while Dale Kerr and Jack Wrigglesworth took two apiece as the Queenslanders were restricted to 178 in a reduced chase.
NSW Country is the other undefeated team after comfortably getting the better of the Western Australian team.
Adrian Isherwood’s unbeaten 59 off 81 helped NSW post 202 from their 50 overs he finished with three wickets in WA’s run chase.
Jack Preddey also finished with three scalps in a winning effort.
South Australia Country proved to be too good for the ACT after prevailing by four wickets.
The ACT posted 201 for victory after being sent into bat before Nick McInerney’s unbeaten half-century was the difference between the two sides.
In the women’s competition, which started on Thursday, Queensland Country Brolgas started their campaign with a bang, taking just 12 overs to chase down the ACT’s meagre 92-run total in a T20 match.
Brolgas captain Ruby Strange was emphatic with the ball in hand, claiming two wickets including the vital scalp of Rachel Caroll who had earlier formed a worrying 44-run partnership with Stella Wilde after ACT opener Alana Forsfall fell to the first ball she faced, which came from Tarah Staines.
Queensland Country’s runs came thick and fast when they started their innings, headlined by Emma Jackson’s 32 off 17 and Mikayla Wrigley’s 31 not-out off 21.
Vic Country is also off to the perfect start after a thrilling five-wicket win over SA Country, hitting the winning runs with just four balls to spare.
SA posted 6-108 from their 20 overs as vice-captain Stephanie Beazleigh top scored with 51 runs.
But in the end, the Vics were helped across the line by Maddie Green’s unbeaten 27.
NSW Country sent a statement to the rest of the competition with a power 113-run win over WA Country.
The tournament hosts posted 2-193 from their 20 overs as Dharmini Chauhan (78 not out) and Jodie Hicks (59 off 44) posted half-centuries.
WA was eventually all out for 80 as Allison McGrath, Claire Murray, Emma-Jayne Howe and Kira Churchland all took two wickets each.
DAY ONE REVIEW
The Australian Country Cricket Championships have started with a bang in Newcastle.
The opening day of competition sw some impressive performances
Queensland Country comfortably chased down South Australia Country with a four-wicket victory on Wednesday.
SA finished with a slightly below par 8/219 after their 50 overs, setting an achievable target for Queensland, led by Hamish Case’s 76.
Brahmans opener and Far North Queensland batsman Matthew Wilkins set the tone for the clinical chase with a cool 69 off 98 before skipper Sam Lowry came in and sped up the pace.
A Lowry six banged off the roof of the stands in the 24th over – one of his seven boundaries of the afternoon – soon after the Queensland Country captain came in and put his team in the driver’s seat with a quick 73 off 82 balls, ultimately scoring the final runs with another four.
NSW Country ran out 23-run winners against the ACT in a game that went down to the final over.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Callum Rainger (55 off 40) and Bailey Abela (52 off 76) posted half-centuries to help guide the tournament hosts to 9-244 from their 50 overs.
Jack Preddey and Nick Foster led the way with the ball for NSW with three wickets apiece as ACT were eventually all out for 221 with just five balls remaining.
In the day’s final game, Vic Country proved to be way too strong for Western Australia after prevailing by 92 runs.
After being into bat, the Vics posted 249 led by Lee Stockdale’s 75 off 104 while Cole Roscholler (50 off 46) also posted a half-century.
The pair shared an important 84-run stand.
In response, Jack Rietschel took 3/20 as the West Australians were restricted to 157.
TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
Australia’s best regional men’s and women’s have descended on Newcastle for the Australian Country Cricket Championships.
Held over a week-long period at the iconic hub of regional sport, the men commence proceedings on Wednesday, with the women starting their campaign on Thursday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
ZAC BEVERIDGE (ACT)
Played his junior and early senior level cricket in Toowoomba and is no stranger to this level of play. An all-rounder with the ability to post plenty of runs and take key scalps with his line and length.
ETHAN DEBONO (NSW)
Hails from Wollongong and has been in outstanding form this season, including blasting a century in a local T20 final. A talented indoor player as well who will be right in contention for the tournament’s leading scorer.
SAM LOWRY (QUEENSLAND)
Got the nod to lead Queensland into the week and brings plenty of experience. The Townsville native has torn his local competition to shreds with multiple MVP honours, as well as being a Queenslad Country player of the year.
COBY CORNISH (SOUTH AUSTRALIA)
Will again captain the boys from South Australia and the Tanunda player will lead from the front the only way he knows how, with strong knocks at the top of the order.
BRAYDEN STEPIEN (VICTORIA)
One of the most credentialed players in the tournament, having had a taste of Big Bash action with the Melbourne Renegades. Played a big part in Victoria winning the last comp and the wicketkeeper-batter will again be crucial to their hopes.
JULIAN CRUDELI (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
Has been a standout in the Bunbury competition and returns to the WA side after his strong play at last year’s tournament saw him earn a spot in the Australian Country XI. A genuine star of an all-rounder.
JIYA PATEL (ACT)
One of the younger players in the side and backs up for the ACT after representing the region at the U19s Championships. A dangerous bowler who will take plenty of confidence to Newcastle after performing well in the underage tournament.
JODIE HICKS (NSW)
Brings a wealth of experience to the NSW side having enjoyed previous stints with the Sydney Sixers and Richmond in the AFLW. The Hay native does it all on both sides of the ball and will provide plenty of leadership for the younger players.
JAIMIE-LEE STRANG (QUEENSLAND)
An up and coming star who is back in Australia after an overseas stint to play in the UK. A Toowoomba talent who is still only 19, but impressing with her composed batting and off-spin bowling.
TIEGAN KAVANAGH (VICTORIA)
Created a bit of history as the first woman to play in men’s open age cricket on the Central Coast, and has been a long-time performer at this level. Now with Geelong Kavanagh is sure to fire in another impressive tournament.
OLIVIA BIDWELL (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
The Geraldton all-rounder has been firing at a local level and could be the key to a Western Australia resurgence. Also a talented Aussie rules player, Bidwell will be pushing for higher honours.
FIXTURES
Check out the full fixtures for both divisions in our interactive below.
MENS SQUADS
ACT
Guy Gillespie, Eric Bell, Robert Trickett, Daniel Leerdam (captain), Raakin Rahman, Dave Dubey, Tyler Hays, Jake Smith, Lewis Evans, Lachie Simpson, Ethan Fitzpatrick, Zac Beveridge, Brad Thomas, Jak Willcox
NSW
Nick Foster (captain), Bailey Abela, Aaron Bills, Ethan Debono, Matt Everett, Jeff Goninan, AJ Isherwood, Simon Keen, Josh McTaggart, Ben Parsons, Jack Preddey, Callum Rainger, Hamish Starr, Logan Weston
QUEENSLAND
Aidan Watterson, Andrew Phelps, Claye Beams, Jake Roach, Joe McGahan, Joshua Nelson, Justin Dixon, Lachlan Ford, Logan Whitfield, Luke McInnes, Matthew Wilkins, Sam Lowry (captain), Sam Yabsley, Travis Busch
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Coby Cornish (captain), Nichalos McInerney, Adam Clements, Evan Gregoric, Zach Fielding, Liam O’Dea, Angus Glazbrook, David Golder, Thomas Plant, Benjamin Roenfeldt, Hamish Case, Zac McCabe, Troy Blackwell, Angus Handke
VICTORIA
Nathan Freitag, Wade Hancock, Dale Kerr, Shane McNamara, Jordan Moran, Jack Rietschel, Cole Roscholler, Luke Stagg, Brayden Stepien, Lee Stockdale (captain), Jake Toohey, Nathan Whitford, Cameron Williams, Jack Wrigglesworth
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Daniel Abel, Bevan Bennell, Clayton Bruce-Cherry, Cruize Ciallella, Coope Clarke-Dehring, Nathan Crudeli, Julian Crudeli, Adam France, Tim Hutchison (captain), Lincoln Joy, Gerard McKenna, Hayden Slodecki, Jeremy Wood
WOMENS SQUADS
ACT
Rachel Carroll, Charlotte Waring, Erin Carroll, Chelsea Moscript (captain), Amber Smith, Stella Wilde, Jiya Patel, Alessia Montefiore-Gardner, Chloe McGann, Vivien Field, Tara Craig, Alana Horsfall, Jess Galeano
NSW
Kira Churchland (captain), Dharmini Chauhan, Rochelle Davis, Jodie Hicks, Emma Jayne Howe, Joanne Kelly, Lisa Kuschert, Aimee Longhurst, Ally McGrath, Claire Murray, Kelly Rowlings, Kirsten Smith, Abbey Taylor, Clare Webber
QUEENSLAND
Grace Abdy, Abbey Harvey, Courtney Hewitt, Emma Jackson, Felicity Koch, Meghan McCartney, Chloe Murphy, Tarah Staines, Jaimie-Lee Strang, Ruby Strange (captain), Taylor Stumer, Abby Toshach, Ryleigh Wotherspoon, Mikayla Wrigley
VICTORIA
Steph Townsend (captain), Amy Yates, Tiegan Kavanagh, Madi Albers, Maddie Green, Alyssa Humphries, Jess Bohn, Hannah Rooke, Kate Shallard, Megen Wrigglesworth, Grace Jones, Sarah Mannes, Renee Moffitt, Tammy Norquay
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Emily Allen, Megan Bam, Olivia Bidwell, Laura Croft (captain), Ava Dodds, Drew Epis, Molly Lincoln, Lauren Newman, Hollie Perkins, Matilda Richings, Meg Spalding, Ashlyn Thompson, Jo Walker, Ruby York
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