Green Shield cricket preview 2021/22: Guide to all clubs and players
Arguably the world’s greatest u16 cricket competition featuring 300 players from across NSW is set to launch. Meet our future test greats and BBL stars with our AW Green Shield mega-guide.
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The next generation of NSW’s top cricketers are ready to showcase their talents in what is widely regarded as the best junior club competition in the world, the A W Green Shield.
The elite under-16 junior competition has seen players such as Australian Test cricket stars Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner and Pat Cummins emerge through the ranks.
The five-week competition — starting this Thursday — includes seven preliminary rounds, followed by quarterfinals, semi finals and a grand final, featuring all 20 of Sydney’s grade cricket clubs.
A.W. GREEN SHIELD COVERAGE
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ROUND 1 WRAP: HOW BRETT LEE’S SON HELPED INSPIRE THRILLING WIN
ROUND 2 WRAP: PAT CUMMINS’ JUNIOR RECORD TUMBLES IN DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
Round 2 wrap: Pat Cummins’ junior record tumbles in dynamic performance
Meet the 300 young cricketers ready for action.
MANLY WARRINGAH
Captain: Andrew Boulton
Coach: David Gainsford and Andrew Rochford
Players to watch: Captain Andrew Boulten will return for his third AW Green Shield campaign despite being under an injury cloud. The talented top-order batsman and NSW U17 representative was the Manly’s top runscorer last summer and finished second on the wickets tally with nine from eight matches. Boulten is not expected to take the field until after Christmas.
Vice-captain Roopmehar Dhillon, a right arm leg spinner, stylish top-order batsman and NSW Academy player, will lead the team in Boulten’s absence
Towering fast bowler Josh Lawson is expected to challenge opposition batsman at the crease with his swing, recording best figures of 4/22 in his last AW Green Shield campaign.
Why they will be competitive: Up to seven familiar faces will return to the Manly Warringah AW Green Shield squad after featuring in an impressive 2020/21 campaign which ended in heartbreaking fashion. After losing a single match during the seven preliminary rounds, the Waratahs were bundled out in their first knockout match. The team’s experience and tight-knit culture will leave them in good shape to go one step further in the 2021/22 tournament.
Squad List: Andrew Boulton (c), Akshay Joseph, Bailey Foster, Beau Kelly, Billy Kwan, Brodie McDowell, Ethan Buchanan, Gus McConnell, Jack Donnan, Jake Hutchings, Josh Lawson, Preston Lee, Roop Dhillon, Toby Laughton, Will Mathieson (subject to change).
Last season finish: 3rd (qualifying final loss)
Number of titles: Seven – 1941/42, 1942/43, 1944/45, 1952/53, 1953/54, 1959/60, 1991/92
EASTERN SUBURBS
Captain: (to be determined)
Coach: Tahmid Islam
Players to watch: The returning players – including all-rounders Dylan Melvey and Ollie Patterson, wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Marchant and top-order batsman Ansh Tiwary – are all expected to play key roles for the Dolphins across the tournament.
Why they will be competitive: The team’s enthusiasm and work ethic, coupled with a sense of humility, will have the team primed for a strong showing in the AW Green Shield.
Last season finish: 5th (qualifying final loss)
Number of titles: Five – 1943/44, 1952/53, 1963/64, 1976/77 (all known as Waverley) and 2019/20
ST GEORGE
Captain: Sam Konstas
Coach: Peter Jackson
Players to watch: Second in the runscoring charts in the 2020/21 AW Green Shield, opening batter Sam Konstas is tipped to be one of the leading players in the tournament. Across eight innings the teenager recorded 427 runs at an average of 71.17, including two centuries and two half centuries for rivals Eastern Suburbs in last summer’s competition. Wicketkeeper batsman Harry Scowen, hailing from the Hunter region, is one to watch alongside south coast product Jackson Ingram.
Why they will be competitive: St George are hoping to have the answer to most situations which present during a matchm, thanks to a deep batting order and variety of bowling options. With a number of squad members familiar with the AW Green Shield tournament, the additional experience should help the team go deep.
Squad List: Sam Konstas (c), Tom Forrester, Minol Jayawardana, Ed Anderson, Harry Scowen, Jackson Ingram, Johnny Konstas, Tomas Phelps, Manraj Kahlon, James Brown, Ashwin Sathiyaseelan, Krish Surana, Taran Shah, Aryan Dhongade, Lewis Keenan (ruled out by injury)
Last season finish: 12th
Number of titles: Twelve – 1937/38, 1938/39, 1939/40, 1940/41, 1948/49, 1955/56, 1972/73, 1974/75, 1980/81, 1983/84, 1987/88, 2011/12
CAMPBELLTOWN-CAMDEN
Captain: Andrew Salian
Coach: Shane Eva
Players to watch: Opening batter Andrew Salian will skipper the side after being the club’s top performer across the 2020/21 campaign. The youngster has recently scored a second grade half century and will look to go from strength to strength. Bowling all-rounder Angus Campbell will challenge opposition batsman with his speed, enjoying best figures of 4/29 in his last Green Shield campaign. Other players to keep an eye on are Bailey Abela and Riley Kingsell.
Why they will be competitive: With seven returning players, including some returning for their third successive campaign, the time is now for the Ghosts to strike. Club insiders are expecting the squad to be very competitive across the tournament.
Squad List: Andrew Salian, Riley Kingsell, Isaac Gasson, Bailey Abela, Angus Campbell, Lachlan Stanley, Callum Cox, Lachlan Fitzpatrick, Coby Holland, Timothy Saunders, Luke Doria, Tanmay Mehta, Raghav Sharma, Arjun Sudith Nair, Keiran Creighton
Last season finish: 14th
Number of titles: Four – 1995/96 (as Campbelltown), 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07 (as Campbelltown-Camden)
RANDWICK-PETERSHAM
Captain: Joshua Bird
Coach: Sanjiv Dubey
Players to watch: Hailing from western Sydney, Sydney Boys High student and bowling all rounder Udey Gill is tipped to have a strong campaign after taking ten wickets at an average of 17.6 for grand finalists Penrith in the 2020/21 Green Shield. Captain Josh Bird, who took nine wickets with best figures of 4/21 last campaign, is also one to monitor across the tournament.
Why they will be competitive: A connection to Randy Petes winning culture will help the developing cricketers reach their potential across the summer, with the team’s humble and respectful approach hoped to play dividends. A dangerous spin bowling attack, coupled with tall pace bowlers, will challenge opposition batsmen. Club insiders say the team will have capable batters right through to number nine in the order.
Last season finish: 15th
Number of titles: Three – 1949/50 (as Randwick), 1967/68, 1971/72 (as Petersham-Marrickville)
SUTHERLAND
Captain: Saul Spyrides
Coach: Jake Wilson
Players to watch: Skipper Saul Spyrides is ready to lead from the front after shining for the Sharks in a disappointing 2020/21 AW Green Shield campaign. The all rounder has the ability to score runs with the bat and swings the ball around in the air with the potential of catching an edge when bowling.
Why they will be competitive: A talented all-round squad with ability spread across the 11 is the Sharks strength for this AW Green Shield campaign, with players involved in the development program for a number of years.
Squad List: Lachlan Clark, Lachlan Ritchie (vc), Saul Spyrides (c), Kobey Freer, Jake St John, Blake Mackrell, Kobey Lillis, Jack Heselhurst, Sam Newton, Sam Niu, Max Carr-McCarron, Thomas Sheehy, Marcus Jewell, Vir Jamwal.
Last season finish: 18th
Number of titles: Six –1970/71, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1989/90, 1992/93
SYDNEY
Coach: Matt Kent
Last season finish: 8th (qualifying final loss)
Number of titles: Four – 1956/57, 1966/67, 1967/68 (as Balmain), 2016/17
GORDON
Captain: Sidhant Singh
Coach: Nick Miller
Players to watch: Captain Sidhant Singh, who scored 158 runs last Green Shield campaign with a handy average of 31.6, is expected to play a key role with the land. Batting all-rounder Joel Austin, also no stranger to Green Shield, is tipped to be a key contributor to the squad following some strong fourth grade performances, including a classy 79 from first drop against Western Suburbs.
Why they will be competitive: An impressive spin attack – featuring three leggies including vice-captain Dylan Ranjan and Zac Winslow – are tipped to keep opposition batters on their toes and Gordon highly competitive in the field. A positive batting line up should see the team accumulate runs at a handy pace.
Squad List: Sidhant Singh (c), Dylan Ranjan (vc), Joel Austin, Jaeden Douglas, Vivaan Ghandi, Ben Hocking, Sam Jackson, Aayush Madan, Beau Mainey, Oscar Patterson, Toby Robinson, Nicholas Stanwell, Will Sutton, Matt Toohey, Zac Winslow
Last season finish: 7th (semi final loss)
Number of titles: Four –1950/51, 1951/52, 1955/56, 1986/87
MOSMAN
Captain: Will Adlam
Coach: Ash Doolan
Players to watch: The team’s top runscorer last campaign with an average of 41, Will Adlam has scored a lot of runs in recent years and most recently chalked up a half century on his third grade debut. The skipper is tipped to be one of the Whales key contributors this tournament.
Why they will be competitive: A strong batting line up will provide the team with a strong foundation going into the tournament, with the added advantage the squad is stacked with in-form all rounders. A number of the players have been impressing in school cricket and the lower grades, signalling the potential for a strong tournament.
Squad List: Will Adlam, Will Allen, Darcy Aylmer, Axel Bailey, Jacob Callaway, Austen Hiskens, Alex Lee-Young, Josh Malone, Tom Malloy, Will Nutt, Sam Scott, Jonty Snyman, Jamison Veitch, Kel Wilson, Sam Wright, Jack Blazey
Last season finish: 17th
Number of titles: Five –1950/51, 1951/52, 1955/56, 1981/82 (as Mosman-Middle Harbour), 1986/87
UTS NORTH SYDNEY
Captain: Hamish Reynolds
Coach: Jason Krejza
Players to watch: Skipper Hamish Reynolds is no stranger to AW Green Shield, featuring for a number of years, and will emerge as a senior player in the squad with the potential to single-handedly turn the tide in matches. The opening bowler and top order bat has the potential to make his mark this campaign. Dylan Johnson has impressed in trial matches alongside opening bowler James Edwards, who pitches the ball up and swings the ball away from the right hander.
Why they will be competitive: A number of high quality players across the squad has the club hoping for a successful campaign, with the team filled with cricketing abilitythanks to holding trials early in the year. Bowling weapons includes strong spin options combined with towering quicks, set to be a challenge for any batsman.
Squad List: Dilraj Singh, Harry Gianoutsos, Dylan Johnson, Hamish Reynolds (C), Pat Heuzenroeder, Thor Harradine, Ben Champion, Everett Oxenhaml, Kai Brunker, Henry Riseborough, Henry Charles, James Edwards, Pranav Sampath, Kishna Dhawan, Cooper Brown
Last season finish: 10th
Number of titles: One – 2008/09
UNSW
Coach: Sutha Thanabalasingam
Players to watch: Vice captains and opening bowlers Max Nathan and William Walker, who both featured in the 2021/21 campaign, are also tipped to be dangerous for the Bees.
Why they will be competitive: The team’s spin attack has been described as “formidable” by club insiders, with a trio of spinners expected to feature prominently in most matches. The threesome could prove to be the difference as the team pushes to go deep in the tournament.
Last season finish: 11th
Number of titles: None
BANKSTOWN
Captain: Daniel Louka
Coach: Chris Ridley
Players to watch: Promising leg spinner and top order batsman Jake Smith, based in the ACT and recently debuting in ACT Premier Cricket first grade for ANU, is tipped to be a handful each time he is involved in the action.Smith has started the summer in a purple patch taking 12 wickets at an average of 10.3 across seven matches in a range of competitions. Harjapan Singh, a fellow leg spinner, took seven wickets in his last AW Green Shield campaign and has most recently been impressive for Bankstown third grade. Tall fast bowler Michael Amadio, who has been making inroads in the NSW Country Cricket pathways program, is also expected to be dangerous with the ball in hand.
Why they will be competitive: Three leg spinning options will look to deceive the opposition batsmen and be a major advantage for the Bulldogs across the 2021/22 AW Green Shield tournament.
Squad List: Aaran Sarna, Aryan Rodrigues, Daniel Louka, Dylan Devoy Paino, Harjapan Singh, Hassan Jamil, Jake Smith, Jordan King, Luca Croft, Maximilian Condon, Michael Amadio, Muhammad Talha, Reagan Sidhu, Tomas Cordingley
Last season finish: 20th
Number of titles: 15 – 1962/63, 1964/65, 1965/66, 1969/70, 1982/83, 1988/89, 1990/91, 1998/99, 1999/00 (as Bankstown-Canterbury), 2002/03, 2003/04, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15
HAWKESBURY
Captain: Kyle Wheeler
Coach: Hameed Kherkhah and Luke Kelleher
Players to watch: Opening batsman and opening bowler Kyle Wheeler will play a key role for the Hawks with bat and ball, using his experience in the NSW pathways system to make his mark on the tournament. An aggressive batter who is not scared to play his shots, Wheeler also has the ability to send down quick pace deliveries. A 14-year-old leg spinner,Aarush Soni, has the ability to turn a match on its head.
Why they will be competitive: A squad featuring a number of hard hitters will see the Hawks take the game on, with the batting line up not expected to take a backward step across the tournament. A handy combination of batsman who have been identified by the NSW Cricket pathways system, alongside batters who can find the ropes, is hoped to be a winning formula.
Squad List: Kyle Wheeler, Ben Boxshall, Mehul Bisht, Thomas Karnaghan, Jake Roeder, Max Ingram, Jack Izzard, Tanav Singh, Aarush Soni, Sumair Sira, Mikayel Ali Farooqi, Lachlan Boyd, Gurjit Singh, Gurpartaap Singh, Tanay Tripathi
Last season finish: 13th
Number of titles: One –1994/95
PARRAMATTA
Captain: Joel Wright
Coach: Nick Bertus and Luke Dempsey
Players to watch: Wicketkeeper Dhanvi Vemulappali, described by those inside the club as one of the best NSW glovemen of his age group, will be a key figure in the Parramatta line-up batting at first drop. Skipper Joel Wright, batting a no. 4 and opening the bowling, will return for his third Green Shield campaign and is tipped to be a leading contributor.
Why they will be competitive: An impressive batting unit is tipped to provide a strong foundation for Parramatta across the tournament, with trial match form seeing more than handy contributions from the hard hitting bottom order. A number of the top-order players have been making a mark for Parramatta’s third and fourth grade outfits.
Squad List: Aayush Lekhwani, Abhinav Kamsali, Blake Noorbergen, Dhanvi Vemulappali, Joel Wright (c), Joshua Robson, Liam Roche, Lucas Sassen, Neel Kanbargimath, Nilaathan Kulendran, Nitesh Samuel, Rajeev Navaratnam, Ryan Gupta, Sebastian Akle, Tom Macdonald, Advith Boreddy (shadow player)
Last season finish: 9th
Number of titles: Six –1960/61 (as Cumberland), 1975/76 (as Central Cumberland), 1997/98, 2000/01, 2007/08, 2017/18.
PENRITH
Captain: Ethan Haldane
Coach: Shannon Finemore
Players to watch: Fast bowling all rounder James Lennox is tipped to be a key player for Penrith, already involved in the NSW pathway system, with his batting set to go from strength to strength. Skipper Ethan Haldane will lead the team with his cricket maturity set to benefit the team tactically, as well as the teenager’s ability with the bat in hand to score big totals.
Why they will be competitive: A number of returning Green Shield players from last summer’s grand final defeat will have the young Penrith team knowing what to expect and a step ahead of last season’s preparations. Those inside the Penrith club say there won’t be a reliance on standout players for success in the AW Green Shield with a number of all-rounders leading to a high number of possible contributors each match.
Squad List: Leo Astill, William Bell, Angus Cornish, Harveer Dhaliwal, Mark Gardner, Ethan Haldane, William Hicks, Fletcher Hyde, Campbell Kean, James Lennox, Cooper McLean, Kayden Myburgh-Sisam, Flynn Nicholls, Mitchell Shanahan.
Last season finish: 6th (grand final defeat)
Number of titles: Two – 1996/97, 2001/02.
WESTERN SUBURBS
Captain: Thomas Thorpe
Coach: Josh Clarke
Players to watch: vice-captain Damien Guild has been honing his craft in fourth grade in recent weeks, scoring a strong 61 against Manly late last month. The top order batsman is tipped to feature strongly across the Green Shield campaign as well as skipper and batting all-rounder Thomas Thorpe, who was a shining light in last summer’s competition.
Why they will be competitive: The team will look to build on a strong 2020/21 campaign where after a strong performance across the preliminary rounds, got bundled out in the first knockout match. About five players will return to take the their place once more, with the a strong mix of Western Suburbs lower graders and local players. The club expects the strengths in this squad will be more with the bat in hand, compared to last tournament’s dangerous spin attack.
Squad List: Adiyat Hassan, Zariyat Hassan, Ethan Anderson (vc), Damien Guild (vc), Thomas Thorpe (c), Tyson Deebank, Nicholas Audet, Charlie Gray, Jack Clarke, Jakob Lindberg, Jamaal Tuman, Harshil Bhatt, Kanishk Ruhil, Brayden Wood, Aadithya Thilak
Last season finish: 2nd (qualifying final defeat)
Number of titles: Three –1936/37, 1973/74, 1975/76,
BLACKTOWN MOUNTIES
Captain: Ruan Muller
Coach: Matthew Mortimer
Players to watch: An express fast bowler Riley Keen, based in the country areas, is set to terrorise batsmen with his speed to set him apart from the field. Ruan Muller, of South African heritage, will return for his second Green Shield campaign and is talented with the gloves, bat and ball in hand. Left arm swing bowler Moses Balbi is tipped to be dangerous with the ball in hand and can also cause damage with the bat, with club insiders praising his impeccable timing.
Why they will be competitive: A cricket-loving community will see Blacktown once again having a wealth of young talent emerge in the AW Green Shield campaign. The club has the young cricketers involved in development programs for a number of years, meaning they are ready for action when the tournament begins.
Squad: Moses Balbi, Roop Bhooi, Proteet Foisol, Nikhil Hemadri, Ajitesh Kamboj, Riley Keen, Peter MacCallum, Jayden Mallawaratchy, Ruan Muller, Blake Phillips, Raakin Rahman, Saim Raza, Nikhil Thokala, Darsh Uppili, Shaurya Vajhula.
Last season finish: 4th (semi final defeat)
Number of titles: None
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY
Coach: Andrew Wilkinson
Last season finish: 16th
Number of titles: None
NORTHERN DISTRICT
Captain: Riley Mackay
Coach: Josh Miller
Players to watch: A talented batsman from northern NSW, Sam Weir has been scoring lots of runs in country cricket with hopes the form will translate across the AW Green Shield tournament. All rounder Peter Murray has a match winning ability with his left arm orthodox bowling, strong middle order batting and top efforts in the field.
Why they will be competitive: A high quality quartet of spin bowling options combined with a youthful pace attack with see the team frequently in the hunt for wickets across the campaign. The key to a successful tournament will be how the team executes in the field and with the ball in the hand with alert players ready to pounce on any opportunity to change the game.
Squad List: Lachlan Bailey, Thomas Bermingham, Will Byrom, Harry Campbell, John James, Jye Johnson, Riley Mackay, Riley McDowell, Peter Murray, Jordan Netto, Jasper Scott, Jaden Sequira, Jack Slater, Krish Thakur, Sam Weir
Last season finish: 1st (undefeated champions)
Number of titles: Five – 1968/69, 1969/70, 1977/78, 1978/79, 2018/19, 2020/21
FAIRFIELD-LIVERPOOL
Last season finish: 19th
Number of titles: Two – 1993/94, 2012/13
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