NSW Community Cup: 32 unsung heroes from far and wide battling for cricket’s inaugural trophy
The bats are already blazing in the race to hoist the inaugural NSW Community Cricket Cup. Check out 32 big guns from across the state looking to inspire their team to a famous T20 title.
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Statewide glory is up for grabs with competition already underway in the inaugural NSW Community Cricket Cup.
From Cudgen in the state’s far north to the Victorian border town of Eden and Dubbo in the central west, there’s diversity among the 24 teams in Cricket NSW’s latest T20 offering.
Boasting some of the biggest tonk merchants to fly under the radar, the fireworks have already started in the race to secure a spot in February’s grand final.
Ahead of Sunday’s next round, we’ve reached out to all the clubs and compiled 32 names from far and wide that will be looking to launch their club to a prestigious first.
Meet the stars of the NSW Community Cup.
METRO SOUTH
ASAD USMAN WARRIACH (AUBURN)
Role: Long-bomb specialist
A punishing right-hander, the Auburn skipper doubles as a gun for hire in Sunday T20 leagues across Sydney. Keeps his eye in all year and last winter blazed a trail of destruction, pounding a frightening 22 maximums in a double ton that came off just 70 balls.
GIHAN EBERT (AUBURN)
Role: First-class recruit
With a background in first class cricket, the Sri Lankan off-spinning all-rounder is a smart operator and one Auburn will bank on when the pressure escalates.
Handy with the bat, the right-hander recently posted 92 in the Sydney Shires top grade.
MITCHELL FLOYD (DE LA SALLE KINGSGROVE)
Role: Punishing gloveman
Known throughout the St George region as a slick gloveman, Mitchell loves nothing better than destroying the new ball with fearless stroke play.
Good enough to change a contest with either discipline, the Kingsgrove vice-captain can never be underestimated.
ADAM EL-DAHER (DE LA SALLE KINGSGROVE)
Role: Elegant perfectionist
The tip for bowlers around the traps is to avoid pitching anywhere near Adam El-Daher’s pads. Easy on the eye, and with a touch of Mark Waugh elegance, the right-hander deals in boundaries on the leg-side.
Capable with the ball, he’s one the captain can turn to.
METRO NORTH
SCOTT GRIFFIN (BEROWRA)
Role: Control freak
Has a mortgage on the run scoring charts in the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai & Hills A Grade competition and rarely finishes on the wrong side of the scorecard.
With an ability to control an innings unmatched in the association, it’s little wonder Berowra have won six of the past seven premierships.
BEN KNOX (BEROWRA)
Role: Spinning whippet
Only the bravest deliver spin in T20 cricket, and in local junior Ben Knox, Berowra have one with a quality resume.
Lightning in the field, Knox returns from a two-year hiatus and brings a raft of knowledge gained from UTS North Sydney in the elite Kingsgrove Sports competition.
CHRIS RUDDOCK (WILBERFORCE)
Role: Shrewd operator
A proud South African with a true-blue Aussie heart, Ruddock offers stability with the stick and nous in attack.
The Wilberforce newbie props up the middle order and delivers medium pace to carefully placed fields.
TOMMY KAAL (WILBERFORCE)
Role: Captain camaraderie
There’s a fair chance you’ll hear the affable Wilberforce club president before you see him. Dabbling in cheeky banter, Tommy Kaal lives for niggle.
Admits to slowing with the bat, but with the ball, the 37-year-old all-rounder more than holds his own with the new rock and can strangle an innings at the death.
DAN LENEHAN (ROSEVILLE)
Role: Stats king
With a list of club achievements longer than England’s tail, the Roseville all-rounder continues pounding out the hits after more than 20 seasons.
The prodigious left-hander is a member of the club’s Team of the Century, and last month bagged 5-35 off 22 nagging overs.
ANTON MAHESWARAN (ROSEVILLE)
Role: Primetime star
Big books, big bash. That’s Anton Maheswaran, Roseville’s prized Ranji Trophy recruit.
The 25-year-old arrived from India focused on a Masters of Sports Management at UTS, now at Roseville, he’s spinning a web in the Sydney Shires top grade.
OSCAR STEWART (CAMMERAY)
Role: Mr Cricket
Loves the game so much, there’s rumours Oscar sleeps under a Mike Hussey emblazoned doona. That said, the 25-year-old’s infectious enthusiasm makes him a popular member at Cammeray.
Opens the bowling in the top grade, and started the Community Cup in sizzling form, crunching a match winning 51 off just 32 balls.
KUNDAN REDDY (CAMMERAY)
Role: Silent assassin
Still finding his feet on the pitch since arriving from India, Kundan continues to climb the grades at Cammeray. A top-order specialist, the 25-year-old was a key performer in the side’s opening round Community Cup win over Epping Bulls.
ANDREW PARK (CAMMERAY)
Role: Community legend
If there’s one player that sums up the spirit of the Community Cup, it’s Andrew Park.
“Our club is very fortunate to have Andrew as one of its members,” said Cammeray club president Steve Si.
“Parkie has been a stalwart in the Deaf Cricket NSW and Australian side since 2010 and has captained the state and national sides in various tournaments around the world.
“Having played at a high level, the 39-year-old quick brings valuable T20 experience to the team. He’s the ultimate club man, who happily provides advice to our young players.”
ROB HENRIQUES (GEORGES RIVER)
Role: The whole box and dice
Rob is a dynamic all-rounder who bowls right-arm fast and is a punishing stroke player in the middle order. He is also a gifted fielder with a throwing arm that batters should take on with caution. If that rings a bell, it’s because older brother Moises does the same thing for the Sydney Sixers.
ANDREW MCGUINESS (GEORGES RIVER)
Role: Mid-order banker
Built for T20, Andrew is a strong middle order batter whose only currency is boundaries. Has a career high score of 189 in a 50-over match which shows that he will be looking to score quickly. He’s a panther in the field, roaming around the cover/mid-wicket areas and stopping anything in its tracks.
COUNTRY NORTH
BROC HARDY (THE ENTRANCE)
Role: The sniper
A local junior, Broc has climbed the ranks and is now captain of the Central Coast rep side. Known for his uncompromising power at the top of the order, he can also change the course of a game in the field with his deadly accurate arm.
SIMON KEEN (THE ENTRANCE)
Role: BBL beast
Arguably the highest profile player in the comp. Simon is a former U19 Aussie rep who has tasted BBL with the Sixers and Thunder.
Now 37, his all-round skills with the new ball and destructive ability in the top order are sure to turn heads as the competition unfolds.
ANU GREWAL (NORTHERN DISTRICT REBELS)
Role: Trusted kingpin
Anu is the leader of the Woolgoolga based side located on the state’s Mid North Coast, and with over 250 wickets, he’s the Rebels’ go-to guy and opening batter.
TAJ DOSANJH (NORTHERN DISTRICT REBELS)
Role: Dependable bat
Put simply, if Taj could take guard every day he would. Recently passed 3,000 runs for the Rebels, and among 16 fifties and two tons, is best remembered for a brilliant unbeaten 172.
ALEC WILLIAMS (CUDGEN)
Role: Trophy hunter
The freestyling former Country rep has the explosive power to shut down a contest from the get-go. In round one, the 27-year-old Cudgen skipper blasted 97 off 54 balls in a comprehensive victory.
Has played first grade for the club since he was 15, and with eight premierships, he’s definitely one to have in your side.
HAYDEN WILSON (CUDGEN)
Role: Explosive expert
Speaking of round one, there was no better hit and run mission than Hayden Wilson’s rapid fire 50 off 13 balls. In a blink-and-you-miss-it knock, he sent the ball flying over the fence on seven occasions.
JAMES JULIUS (CUDGEN)
Role: Strike weapon
The leader of the Cudgen attack is closing in on 400 wickets and continues to get better with age. Recognised as the best bowler in the region, if James has a fault, it’s that he’s easily persuaded. Once played for NSW Country before turning the other cheek, and suiting up in Queensland colours.
JACOB MONTGOMERY (WALLSEND)
Role: Cagey fox
The Wallsend all-rounder arrives at the Community Cup with significant clout. A former U19 ACT rep, the gifted right-hander is a former player of the year in the Newcastle first grade comp, and with his pinpoint seam, he destroyed rivals Belmont in round one en route to 4-11.
THOMAS NELSON (DUBBO CYMS)
Role: Gatekeeper
Still only 22, Nelson has been in the top grade at CYMS for seven years. Now vice-captain, the right-hand former Country rep puts a high price on his wicket at the top of the order, and does whatever he can to bat through the innings.
BEN KNAGGS (DUBBO CYMS)
Role: Fan favourite
Cricket fans west of the Blue Mountains say the CYMS skipper is the best all-rounder in the region. Blends feistiness with the bat and deceptive mediums to influence favourable outcomes for every side he’s in.
Alongside Nelson, the pair are credited with being at the forefront of the club’s recent resurgence.
COUNTRY SOUTH
JOEL ROBINSON (SOUTH WAGGA BLUES)
Role: Mr Fix-it
With South Wagga Blues pumping through his veins, the former club president and life member has just about done it all for the Riverina based club.
Now captain-coach, Robinson is set to feature at the top of the order and contribute with his slow left-armers.
JED GUTHRIE (SOUTH WAGGA BLUES)
Role: Fiery spearhead
Never mind Jed’s form as a tailender, he’s on the books to lead the Blues attack. A rapidly rising local junior, the right-arm quick has already opened a few doors, and at October’s U19 Country Colts tournament he destroyed the Central Coast top order with a blistering 3-10.
PUSHPINDER JASSAL (WOLLONGONG)
Role: The level-head
In a squad packed with master blasters, Pushpinder is the voice of reason capable of a long innings. The experienced 35-year-old can also clear the rope, and bamboozle with his right-arm leggies.
DAVID WOOD (WOLLONGONG)
Role: The enforcer
Lively and passionate, the 29-year-old is made for cricket’s short formats. Super slick with the new ball, Wood is in the form of his life and can answer the call for quick runs.
TOBY DODDS (WOLLONGONG)
Role: Captain consistent
Harder to remove than a beetroot stain, Toby usually has a big say on the outcome of any game in the Illawarra. Averaging 52, the top-order specialist is absolutely flying at the moment.
LAWRIE MUDALIAR (EDEN)
Role: Young gun
Eden is the most southerly based team in the field and also boasts some of the youngest stars on the books.
Still only 14, Lawrie Mudaliar shows promise in the top-order and the Country junior rep continues to add big scalps with his left-arm orthodox.
The son of club president and 12-time premiership winner Drew, Lawrie lives and breathes the game.
RORY SMITH (EDEN)
Role: Loyal clubman
Another of Eden’s youngsters, Rory hasn’t been selected to make up the numbers. A gun off-spinner, the 15-year-old picked up a 5-fa on first grade debut and is the club’s leading wicket-taker.
Always busy off the park, last season he was crowned club person of the year.
For results and full draw CLICK HERE
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