NSW cricket’s next generation: 60 stars to watch in the Poidevin-Gray Shield
The state’s top under-21 cricketers have already taken to the field in the race for the prestigious Poidevin-Gray Shield. Meet 60 stars from across all 20 Sydney grade clubs.
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It’s been part of cricket’s journey to higher honours since 1926, and once again the state’s top under-21 talents are itching to raise the coveted Poidevin-Gray Shield.
UTS North Sydney will be eager for back-to-back titles, but they won’t have it all their own way. With a long list of current first graders and NSW junior representative stars on show, all 20 Sydney grade clubs are in the mix.
Split across two groups, matches will be contested in 50-over and T20 formats over eight preliminary rounds followed by quarterfinals, semi finals and a grand final in March.
Here’s a list of quality players from each club.
BANKSTOWN (Thunder Conf: 2023-24, 5th)
RYAN FREEMAN
Top order batter
The Bankstown junior continues to bang on the door of permanent first grade selection. Damaging at his best, last summer the right-hander dominated second grade, smashing 592 runs including two centuries.
ANGUS CAMPBELL
Top order batter
The elegant right-hander from the Illawarra continues to get better with every season. A former under-age NSW Country rep, Angus showed his class in first grade last year with 278 runs.
TOMAS CORDINGLEY
Opening batter
Another local, Tomas is a left-hander returning from a consistent season in third grade where he notched three half centuries and topped 350 runs.
BLACKTOWN MOUNTIES (Thunder Conf: 2023-24, 10th)
KUNJ CHANGELA
Batting all-rounder
A Blacktown regular, Kunj had an outstanding PG’s campaign last summer and also bedded down a regular spot in the top grade. A season best 103 against Wests in the U21s competition came after a pair of brisk 70s.
ATHARV DESHPANDE
Opening batter
With an insatiable appetite for runs, Atharv continues to travel far and wide. Last summer the dynamic right-hander blasted 132 for Vic Metro at the U19 national champs, and during the winter he headed north to Darwin, scoring twin tons.
Handy with the ball, his 3-22 in the opening round helped Blacktown defeat Manly.
JAYLEN MALLAWARATCHY
Middle order batter
A former Green Shield (under-16s) captain, the tall right-hander continues to climb the Blacktown ranks. Finished last summer in second grade where he passed 50 on two occasions.
CAMPBELLTOWN-CAMDEN (Thunder Conf: 2023-24, Finals)
BAILEY ABELA
Opening batter
A pillar of strength at the top of the order, the Illawarra leftie returns to the Ghosts where he kicked off PG’s last season with 109. An U19s NSW Country rep, he can be counted on for reliable contributions.
JAKE SCOTT
All-rounder
A major off-season signing from Penrith, the hard hitting all-rounder from Wagga Wagga is arguably among the top players in the competition. A first grade regular, last summer he hit 398 runs at just under 50 per innings.
Bowls handy seam and will lead from the front as captain.
RAHEEM ABDUL
Pace bowler
A tall quick, Raheem delivered on his potential last season where he took 12 second grade wickets at 26.5 and made one first grade appearance.
EASTERN SUBURBS (Sixers Conf: 2023-24, 6th)
MATT SIDHU
Top order batter
The right-hander will pad up as the Dolphins PG’s captain. Enters the new season full of hope after compiling 379 runs in third grade at 31.6.
HAYDEN TIPPING
Pace bowler
A standout in second grade at Campbelltown-Camden last summer, the tall right-armer is one to watch after taking 26 wickets at 15.8 with his accurate pace bowling.
TRYSTAN KENNEDY
Top order batter
A promising right-hander recruited from Gordon, Trystan represented NSW Metro under-19s last summer and also scored a first grade century.
FAIRFIELD-LIVERPOOL (Thunder Conf: 2023-24, 9th)
YUVA NISHCHAY
Pace bowler
The big paceman and former under-age state rep bagged 18 first grade wickets last summer, and continued to show his all-round potential with 174 runs at just under 20 per innings.
YASH DESHMUKH
All-rounder
The young Lions leg-spinner continues to improve in the senior grades. Last summer he compiled 23 wickets across second and third grade, and with the stick he struck more than 280 runs with a best of 69.
JAIVEER SINGH DHANOA
Opening bowler
Another Fairfield-Liverpool speedster on the rise. The right-armer made the most of 11 matches in first grade last summer where he walked away with 17 wickets at a super impressive 21.2 apiece.
GORDON (Sixers Conf: 2023-24, Finals)
JOSEPH GILLARD
Opening batter
The Newcastle product adds plenty to Gordon’s top order. The Country rep hit 75 in the opening round of PG’s, and last season impressed in first grade with a pair of 50s among his 348 runs.
TOBY ROBINSON
Opening batter
The busy right-hander captained the Stags to the Green Shield finals last summer, and also had a taste of action in thirds and PGs. In a sign of growing maturity, the opener combined with Gillard in an opening round partnership of 107.
BRYCE COOK
Opening bowler
A North Coast quick, Bryce settled in at Gordon last season taking 22 wickets across stints in seconds and thirds. In a season high, the U19s Country rep destroyed UNSW with a blistering 7/22.
HAWKESBURY (Thunder Conf: 2023-24, 6th)
HEMISH AHUJA
Opening batter
A patient opening batsman, the tall right-hander had a season to remember with Hawkesbury in 2023-24. Playing in seconds and thirds, Hemish struck 410 runs including a best of 137 against Blacktown.
JAKE ROEDER
Middle order batter
One to watch in the T20s, the hard hitting right-hander thrives in the chase for quick runs. A product of the Hawks’ pathways, Jake has the ability to swing the momentum in a couple of overs.
JANBAZ SADDHAR
Pace bowler
Janbaz is a powerful right-armer flying under the Hawkesbury radar. Picked up 23 wickets in the lower grades last summer and was rewarded with three first grade games towards the end of the season.
MANLY WARRINGAH (Sixers Conf: 2023-24, Finals)
ROOP DHILLON
All-rounder
A quality leggie with all the tricks, Roop picked up 17 wickets in second grade last summer and showed his all-round class at the top of the order making almost 300 runs at 35.5.
JOSHUA LAWSON
Pace bowler
One to watch with the new ball, the right-arm quick dominated third grade last season with 33 wickets at 15.3. Blew away Hawkesbury’s best with a stunning 6/25.
JULIAN OSBOURNE
Pace bowler
A rising paceman from Manly’s title winning Green Shield side, the right-arm speedster took the most wickets in the competition and backed it up in the seniors with 39 in fifth grade.
MOSMAN (Sixers Conf: 2023-24, 7th)
RYAN HICKS
Wicketkeeper, top order batter
A key member of Australia’s U19 World Cup winning side who claimed the trophy earlier this year in South Africa, the 19-year-old keeper-batsman rarely performs below his potential.
BROCK FITTON
Opening batter
A hard hitting top order specialist, Brock arrives at the Whales following a big season with Fairfield-Liverpool second grade. Among his 465 runs, the right-hander cracked two tons.
ANGUS PARSONS
Opening bowler
The tall right-armer from Bathurst has been a shining light through the NSW pathways. A Basil Sellers award winner, he has made the most of his opportunities in first grade and last summer took 12 wickets at 29.2.
NORTHERN DISTRICT (Thunder Conf: 2023-24, Runner-up)
CAMERON TUNKS
Top order batter
Another regular on the junior Blues rep scene, the classy right-hander brings plenty of first grade experience and finished last season as the leading run scorer in PG’s with 385 at 48.1.
SAM WEIR
Top order batting all-rounder
An off-season arrival from Easts, the former U19 Country rep provides stability at the top order and is a proven wicket taker with his right-arm mediums.
SPENCER WHITE
Middle order batter
Backing up his three half centuries in second grade last season, the right-hander immediately raised the bar in the opening round of PG’s. In an unbeaten 105 off 97 balls, Spencer clubbed the Sutherland attack for five sixes.
UTS NORTH SYDNEY (Sixers Conf: 2023-24, Premiers)
JAMES MOORE
Opening batter/wicketkeeper
The talented gloveman pouched 25 catches last summer, and showed his class with the bat in first grade with an aggregate of 201 runs.
In the first round of PG’s, the left-hand opener blazed 72 off 62 balls.
THOMAS HOGAN
All-rounder
The rising all-rounder from the ACT has been a regular for Norths since his Green Shield days. A hard hitting right-hander, Tom backs it up with his wicket taking left-arm orthodox.
FERGUS FERGUSSON
Fast bowler
A genuine quick on the rise, Fergus picked up 18 wickets in third grade last summer. In a danger to all opening batters, the right-armer returns bigger and faster to start another campaign.
PARRAMATTA (Thunder Conf: 2023-24, Finals)
PATRICK XIE
Top order batter
The Parra PG’s skipper comes off a big 2023-24 where he compiled one first grade century in a summer that yielded 450 top grade runs at 34.6.
BLAKE NOORBERGEN
Middle order batter
The teenage superstar smashed down a host of doors last summer. A punishing right-hander, Blake dominated Green Shield and followed it up with two third grade centuries and another in seconds.
Doubles as a handy off-spinner.
RYAN GUPTA
Leg-spin bowler
Ryan is a right-arm leggie with loads of junior state rep experience. Had a breakout season with Parramatta last summer where he embraced the rise to first grade with 17 wickets at 27.9.
PENRITH (Thunder Conf: 2023-24, 7th)
HARRY ROSCAREL
Top order batter
The dashing right-hander from Western NSW helped U17 Country to its maiden title at last season’s national championships. Scores all around the wicket and is rarely tied down.
DAVE DUBEY
All-rounder
The ACT rep has exploded into action with Penrith this season. Put his name in lights in the opening round of the Kingsgrove T20 competition, blasting seven sixes in a knock of 93 from just 46 balls.
Also bowls sharp right-arm pace.
ALEXANDER KERKHAM
Pace bowler
A rising paceman with a textbook action, Alex played Green Shield last summer and also turned heads with 21 wickets in fourth grade at 15.2.
RANDWICK PETERSHAM (Thunder Conf: 2023-24, Finals)
ZAK KEOGH
Top order batter
Since scoring a ton in PG’s last summer, the right-hander has kicked on in spectacular fashion.
Playing first grade in Canberra last season, Zak hit four centuries in a summer that returned 970 runs and saw him called up to represent the ACT in the Toyota Second XI comp.
ZACK NARAYAN
Pace bowler
Zacks bowls lively pace and last season across thirds and fourths he picked up 25 wickets.
THOMAS COADY
Wicketkeeper
The reliable keeper has been named PG’s skipper this season. Also handy with the bat, Thomas scored a tick under 300 runs in second grade last summer.
ST GEORGE (Sixers Conf: 2023-24, 8th)
HARRY SCOWEN
Wicketkeeper
A tough top order batter and gloveman from the Hunter Region, Harry doesn’t know how to give up. Seemingly done for the day after retiring hurt for NSW Country at last season’s U19s nationals, he returned to the crease and steered the side to victory on one leg.
MANRAJ KAHLON
Pace bowler
The under age state rep continued his progression in third grade at Saints last summer. Bowls with good pace and is a weapon in the lower order where he hit 108 against Sydney.
THOMAS FORRESTER
Opening batter
In a club full of quality batters, Thomas was steady last summer in compiling 251 at 25.1 in fourth grade.
SUTHERLAND (Sixers Conf: 2023-24, 5th)
KOBE ROSS
Opening batter
After progressing through the NSW Country reps, the Illawarra left-hander has settled in at Sutherland. Scored a ton in PG’s last summer and also had a taste of first grade.
KOBEY FREER
Top order batter
A powerful force at the top of the order, the nuggety right-hander is a bright prospect. Scored a third grade ton last summer and hit 269 runs in seconds.
RYAN CATTLE
Leg-spin bowler
Another recruit from the Illawarra region, the crafty leggie joins brother Rhys in the Sutherland line-up. Has also represented NSW Country at U19 level.
SYDNEY (Sixers Conf: 2023-24, 10th)
CHARLIE HOWARD
Pace bowler
A right-arm fast bowler from the North Coast, Charlie is fast making a name for himself at Sydney. Has played Country reps, and last summer rose to another level with 15 first grade wickets.
THOMAS BLOWES
Top order batter
Another Country rep, Thomas hit the scene after coming through the grades at Orange. Still only young, the attacking top order specialist represented at last season’s U17s nationals.
JOHNATHAN STUART
Top order batter
There’s plenty to like about this top order young gun. A quality left-hander, Johnathan played PG’s last year and also struck three half centuries in second grade where he finished with 372 runs.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (Thunder Conf: 2023-24, 8th)
BAILEY LIDGARD
All-rounder
A hard hitting all-rounder from the Central Coast, Bailey is another who represented Country U19s last summer. Bowls tidy left-arm orthodox and held his own in Albury with eight wickets at 21.6.
CAMERON FRENDO
Spin bowler
Another who delivers left-arm orthodox, Cameron toured England with the Australian U19 side. Still only 19, the Fairfield-Liverpool recruit took 14 wickets in the Lions’ top grade last summer.
DARCY MOONEY
All-rounder
A key signing from Sydney, the tall right-arm quick is starting to establish himself in the senior grades where he was rewarded late last season with a first grade debut.
Held his own with the ball in seconds taking 19 wickets at 26, and doubled down with the willow, posting 329 at 21.9.
UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES (Sixers Conf: 2023-24, 9th)
NIHAL DESAI
Leg-spin bowler
The highly regarded leggie arrives at UNSW after taking 16 wickets in second grade at North Sydney. Handy with the bat, the right hander also hit a season best 56 in first grade.
MAHSEN NARVEL
Opening batter
Talk about making first impressions count. Arriving from Randwick Petersham, the powerful right-hander opened the PG’s season with a stunning 157 not out from 138 deliveries.
Caught the eye last summer playing thirds, where his stocks rose on the back of 350 runs at 87.5.
JAMES APOSTOLAKIS
Pace bowler
Another from Randy Petes, the tall right-arm paceman had a fine summer last year where he bagged 14 wickets in second grade at 18.5.
WESTERN SUBURBS (Thunder Conf: 2023-24, Finals)
HARJAS SINGH
Top-order batter
Stylish and hard hitting, the left-hander guided Australia to U19 World Cup glory earlier this year with a match defining half century in the final against India.
An established first grader, Harjas is definitely one to keep an eye on.
ETHAN JAMIESON
Top order batter
The former Aussie U19s rep joins Wests after several seasons at UNSW. An elegant left-hander, Ethan scored over 400 first grade runs last summer with one century.
Offers plenty with the ball. Last summer he picked up 13 top grade wickets with his right-arm leg-spin.
JAMES BARWISE
All-rounder
An all-rounder on the rise, James rose from fifth to third grade at Wests last season. Took 48 wickets across all grades and with the bat, the right-hander scored over 300 runs.
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