Rising stars of NSW cricket: 60 players to watch in the Poidevin-Gray Shield
The distinguished cricket competition featuring the most talented under-21 players across NSW is already underway. Meet 60 rising stars of the Poidevin-Gray Shield.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Since 1926 the state’s most talented cricketing prospects have locked horns in an effort to hoist the prestigious Poidevin-Gray Shield.
Last season it was Randwick Petersham. Now a new generation of top under-21 talent – including established first grade players and a host of junior NSW representatives – will take part representing all 20 Sydney premier grade clubs.
Played in the 50-over format, sides are divided into two pools of 10 where five preliminary rounds are followed by quarterfinals, semi finals and a grand final in March.
Meet the teams and three young cricketers taking part from each club.
BANKSTOWN (Thunder Conf: 2022-23, 5th)
RYAN FREEMAN
Top order batter
The powerful right-hander has risen through the Bankstown ranks to become a first grade regular. Last season in second grade he hit over 600 runs including three centuries, and this season already has a Poidevin-Gray Shield ton under his belt.
ANGUS CAMPBELL
Middle order batter
An attacking right-hander, the Illawarra product was named player of the tournament at last year’s Country Colts championships. Now at Bankstown, Campbell has already had a taste of first grade.
Considered a long term candidate for a NSW contract, Campbell was recently awarded a prestigious Basil Sellers scholarship.
JAKE SMITH
Leg-spin bowler
A right-hand leg-spinner from Canberra, Smith has represented the ACT and also Australia at U17 level. Impressed in three PG’s matches for Bankstown last season, taking seven wickets at 10.6.
BLACKTOWN MOUNTIES (Thunder Conf: 2022-23, 6th)
KUNJ CHANGELA
Batting all-rounder
The right-hander hit a season best 112 in second grade last season on the way to compiling 411 runs at 58.7. Also made 15 top grade appearances across all formats and represented U19 NSW Metro. Bowls handy off-spin.
GAURAV DOGRA
Top order batter
The Blacktown skipper was in fine former last summer. In addition to the 288 at 57.6 he knocked up in PG’s, the former Aussie U17s right-hander also hit 364 runs in first grade.
JAYLEN MALLAWARATCHY
Top order batter
A Blacktown local on the rise, Mallawaratchy captained last season’s Green Shield (U16) side and also had a taste of second grade. Across all competitions, the youngster tallied 546 runs and hit five scores above 50.
CAMPBELLTOWN-CAMDEN (Thunder Conf: 2022-23, Finals)
BAILEY ABELA
Opening batter
A consistent accumulator, the Illawarra junior represented NSW Country at last season’s U17 nationals. Already in fine form this season, the left-hander recorded a pair of 60s at the Country champs before blasting 109 off 117 balls in the Ghosts’ opening round PG’s victory.
BLAKE SMITH
Top order batter
The Ghosts captain is a former U17 NSW rep who leads from the front with his hard hitting and reliable off spin. Started the season in first grade, and in PG’s he struck 52 against Blacktown off 41 balls.
LUKE MEEK
Medium pace bowler
A former Blues rep in his junior days, Meek continues to impress with Campbelltown Camden. Last season the right-arm paceman impressed in second grade taking 19 wickets at 22.2.
EASTERN SUBURBS (Sixers Conf: 2022-23, 7th)
YIANNA THEODORAKOPOULOS
Top order batter
Flagged as a talented all-rounder coming through the juniors, including T20 Cup, Theodorakopoulos made 10 appearances for Easts in the top grade last summer.
The free-flowing right-hander notched 74 off 80 balls in the opening round of PG’s. Also bowls pace, and last season bagged a five-wicket haul in second grade.
SAM WEIR
Top order batter
A gun right-hander from the North Coast, Weir starred at the recently completed U19 Country Colts championships scoring 205 runs at 68.3. Is also economical with the ball and took eight wickets in PG’s last season for Northern District.
RILEY KEEN
All-rounder
Formerly from Condobolin in the state’s central west, Keen is a left-hand bat and pace bowler. Represented Western at the U19 Country Colts championships where he top scored twice and bowled a couple of game changing spells.
FAIRFIELD-LIVERPOOL (Thunder Conf: 2022-23, 7th)
YUVA NISHCHAY
Pace bowler
The tall right-armer headed to Adelaide last summer with the U19 NSW Metro squad and also had his fair share of first grade exposure at Fairfield-Liverpool. Bowls sharp outswing and also holds his own with the bat, scoring 490 runs across all grades last summer.
CAMERON FRENDO
Left-arm orthodox
A left-arm orthodox spinner, Frendo came out of his shell last summer to become an integral member of the U19 Australian squad that toured England. Scored two fifties on tour and continues to improve with the bat.
MAX FARMER
Wicketkeeper
A product of the Hunter, Farmer is a quality gloveman and so far this season has completed six catches and two stumpings across the top grade and PG’s. Improving with the bat, he’s a dependable option in the middle order.
GORDON (Sixers Conf: 2022-23, Finals)
JOSEPH GILLARD
Opening batter
Arrives from Newcastle where he represented NSW Country at last year’s U19 national championships. A clever right-hander, Gillard backs himself and is adaptable to any situation.
Already has four half tons in the books this summer, including an 80 in second grade against Easts.
JAYLLEN NAGANAYAGAM
Opening batter
Well travelled, Naganayagam is a hard hitting force at the top of the order who can also keep wickets. Has played in Darwin, and last season at Gordon he played mostly seconds and thirds where he finished with 499 runs at 25.0.
BRYCE COOK
Opening bowler
Another NSW Country rep, Cook is a right-arm opening quick from the NSW North Coast. Played first grade in the Newcastle comp last season, and at this year’s Country Colts championships showed his class against Western taking 3/29.
HAWKESBURY (Thunder Conf: 2022-23, 10th)
AARUSH SONI
Leg-spin bowler
One of several rising talents from last season’s Green Shield grand final side, Soni is a right-arm leg-spinner currently in the NSW system. Made his first grade debut last season and took 11 wickets at 23.1 in seconds.
BEN BOXSHALL
Opening batter
Struck a patient 42 against the new ball in the opening round of PG’s, but loves nothing more than to dominate the bowling. Finished last season with 485 runs at 21.1 across all formats from Green Shield to second grade.
JAKE ROEDER
Middle order batter
Another aspiring teenager to step up from Green Shield, Roeder is known for taking on the bowling with his hard hitting. Lit the fuse in round one against Sydney University in PG’s, striking an unbeaten 38 off 21 deliveries to help guide Hawkesbury to a four-wicket victory.
MANLY WARRINGAH (Sixers Conf: 2022-23, Finals)
ROOP DHILLON
Leg-spin bowler
A long-termer on the Manly books, Dhillon is a regular among the wicket-takers with his right-arm leggies. Tall and with a wide variety of deliveries, it’s his wrong-un that has mesmerised many. Offers plenty in the middle order with his left-hand stroke play.
JOSH SEWARD
All-rounder
Reliable with the new rock, Seward is a tall right-armer who hits the deck hard. Picked up eight poles in the Belvidere Cup last season, and with the bat scored 225 runs at 16.1 across all grades.
OSCAR LUCIUS
Wicketkeeper
Confident behind the stumps, Lucius is a keen gloveman with lightning reflexes. Continues to improve with the bat, and last season hit 264 runs at 24.0 across all grades
MOSMAN (Sixers Conf: 2022-23, 6th)
RYAN HICKS
Wicketkeeper, top order batter
Hicks is definitely one to watch as the season unfolds. A quality keeper who oozes confidence with the stick, the right-hander cracked his maiden top grade ton last season and during the winter toured England with the u19 Australian team.
WILL ADLAM
Top order batter
A rapidly evolving accumulator of runs, Adlam was the only underage player in last season’s U17 NSW Metro squad. Also had a taste of PG’s last summer and is expected to be better for the experience.
ANGUS PARSONS
Pace bowler
Parsons is a right-arm quick from Bathurst who has joined a list of rising stars with a Basil Sellers scholarship. Has already played first grade and earlier this year took 4/29 against Northern District in the T20 Cup.
NORTHERN DISTRICT (Thunder Conf: 2022-23, Finals)
CAMERON TUNKS
Opening batter
Another on the Blues radar with a Basil Sellers scholarship, Tunks is a classy right-hander who has already hit 194 runs at 48.5 at first grade level this season. Started the summer in fine form, hitting 71 not out against a quality Sydney Uni attack.
LACHLAN SHAW
Wicketkeeper, top order batter
Shaw is a former Aussie U19 rep who is destined for higher honours. A first grade regular, the right-hander has two top grade fifties so far this season, and in the opening round of PG’s he slayed the Fairfield- Liverpool attack. In a knock from 70 balls, he cleared the rope on five occasions in a stunning innings of 118.
COREY MILLER
Top order batter
Nearing 21, Miller is another Northern District batting sensation who has represented Australia at U19 level. A damaging leftie, across all grades last season he totalled 635 runs at 27.6.
UTS NORTH SYDNEY (Sixers Conf: 2022-23, Finals)
ADDISON SHERRIFF
All-rounder
Transferred from Sydney to Norths in the off-season after representing NSW Metro at last season’s U17s nationals. A tall right-armer, Sherriff can move the ball both ways and has already had a taste of first grade for Norths. Batted at No.4 in the opening round of PG’s where he compiled a steady 50 from 79 balls.
HAMISH REYNOLDS
All-rounder
A dangerous left-hander with shots all around the ground, Reynolds has opened the season in fine form compiling more than 140 runs in three digs across PG’s and third grade. It’s a similar story with the ball, where his eight wickets have come at less than 10 apiece.
EVERETT OXENHAM
Off-spin bowler
Well on his way to becoming an accomplished offie, the right-armer’s consistent flight and turn is not going unnoticed. Still in his teens, Oxenham has impressed with economical returns in the top grade this season and recently backed it up with a tidy 3/26 against Sydney Uni in the T20 Cup.
PARRAMATTA (Thunder Conf: 2022-23, Runner-up)
PATRICK XIE
Top order batter
An aggressive strokemaker, Xie held is own for NSW Metro at last summer’s U19 nationals in Adelaide. At Parramatta, the right-hander played the majority of last season in first grade where he compiled a respectable 362 runs in the Belvidere Cup at 25.9, including a season best 83 against St George.
NILAATHAN KULENDRAN
All-rounder
Captained Parramatta to last season’s Green Shield title where he opened both the batting and bowling. A right-arm quick, Kulendran showed he’s not out of place in PG’s with a return of 3/54 in the first round.
JAY NOORBERGEN
Wicketkeeper, middle order batter
An inspiration in the field from behind the stumps, Noorbergen is also a consistent contributor with the blade. For Parra seconds last season, he contributed 263 runs at 23.9 including a patient knock of 85 from 149 balls against Bankstown
PENRITH (Thunder Conf: 2022-23, 9th)
JAKE SCOTT
Top order batter
Now in his second season of the Basil Sellers program, the boy from Wagga continues to impress at Penrith. A punishing left-hander, Scott has already had a taste of first grade.
At the recent U19 Country championships he stamped his class for Riverina, clubbing 11 maximums in one innings of 134.
OWEN COLE
Leg-spin bowler
The right-arm leggie represented the Blues at consecutive U19 national championships. Tough to score from, Cole is fast making a name for himself in the short formats where he is a regular for Penrith in the T20 Cup.
JAMES LENNOX
All-rounder
A pace bowling all-rounder with experience in the NSW pathways, Lennox continues to show his class at Penrith. In a third grade contest to remember against Fairfield-Liverpool early this season, after hitting 52 runs, the right-armer then struck with the ball taking 5/41.
RANDWICK PETERSHAM (Thunder Conf: 2022-23, Premiers)
ZAK KEOGH
Opening batter
A Pambula junior and regular underage NSW Country rep, Keogh made a spectacular start to the season with Randy Petes. All class at the top of the PG’s order, the right-hander blazed a century from 122 balls to help guide his side to a solid victory over UNSW.
BEN TRACEY
All-rounder
Now in his second season at the club, Tracey’s development as an all-rounder continues with steady performances in PG’s and third grade. Across all grades last season, the right-hander hit 260 at 18.6 and finished with 22 wickets at a healthy 20.9.
JAKE EGAN
Batting all-rounder
Well travelled, Egan arrived in Sydney this season from the University club in Perth via a stint in Northern Ireland. With no time to waste, the right-hander immediately stamped his class with a second grade ton against Bankstown, while in PG’s, he picked up 4/49 against UNSW bowling his offies.
ST GEORGE (Sixers Conf: 2022-23, 8th)
HARRY SCOWEN
Wicketkeeper, top order batter
The Hunter Valley recruit showed his prowess with the gloves holding onto nine catches at the recent Country Colts championships. Tough to remove once he gets set, last season the busy right hander knocked up two breezy centuries for the Country Lions in the U17 State Challenge.
MANRAJ SINGH KAHLON
Pace bowler
The right-arm quick is capable of moving the new ball off the seam and through the air. Played Green Shield last season and continues to develop in the lower grades. Continues to improve with the bat, as shown by the 70 he scored at No.8 in the opening round of PG’s.
LEWIS KEENAN
Pace bowler
Opened the bowling in Green Shield last summer and continued to hone his craft in fifth grade where he claimed a confidence building 25 wickets at a tidy 14.8.
SUTHERLAND (Sixers Conf: 2022-23, 9th)
SAM KONSTAS
Opening batter
No one has a bigger appetite for runs than this prodigious right-hander. After breaking a stack of Green Shield records Konstas has gone from strength to strength. Notched his maiden first grade century for Sutherland late last year and finished the season with the most runs across all grades scoring 1,189 at 42.5 with four centuries and eight fifties.
RHYS CATTLE
Left-arm orthodox
Originally from Wollongong, Cattle made his way to Sutherland after a stint at St George. In addition to representing NSW Country at U19 level last season, in second grade for Saints his spinners yielded 19 wickets at 28.3.
KOBE ROSS
Opening batter
Another with origins in the Illawarra, Ross in a leftie with big wraps. Scored a first grade cap last summer but was most productive in seconds where he tallied 405 at 67.5. Struck four scores above 50, including a top score of 142 against Wests.
SYDNEY (Sixers Conf: 2022-23, 5th)
CHARLIE HOWARD
Pace bowler
An underage NSW Country rep from Sawtell on the North Coast, the right-armer has spent the early part of this season playing at the Country Colts champs and with Sydney in the T20 Cup.
A tall speedster, Howard showed what lies on the horizon with an impressive 2/15 from four overs in Sydney’s T20 win over Gordon.
NIKHIL AHLUWALIA
Opening batter
A stylish right-hander who dictates the pace of his innings to the needs of the team, Ahluwalia scored 333 runs at 25.6 in second grade last season. Started this season in first grade, and repaid the selectors with a patient 40 against Blacktown.
CIAN EGERTON
Opening bowler
A bustling quick, Egerton played two Belvidere Cup matches last season and held his own in second grade taking eight wickets at 22.8. This season, the right-armer went wicketless in the opening round of first grade, but has since delivered two multiple wicket outings in the T20 Cup.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (Thunder Conf: 2022-23, 8th)
HAYDEN McCARTHY
All-rounder
Skippered UNSW during last season’s Green Shield, but following an off-season switch to Sydney Uni, the aggressive right-hander has focused his efforts in the club’s third grade middle order.
A confident leggie, McCarthy has snared five wickets at 12.8 across PG’s and third grade.
THOMAS SIEDE
Opening batter, left-arm orthodox
Saw off the new ball in the first round of PG’s on the way to a patient 78 from 135 balls.
Last season for Gordon, Siede spent the majority of his time in thirds, and across all grades hit an impressive 446 runs at 37.2. Showed his all-round class with the ball, picking up 16 wickets at 20.2 with his left-arm orthodox.
DOM GODDARD
Opening batter
Goddard is a patient right-hander known for holding the innings together in times of trouble. Captained PG’s in the opening round and led from the front with a gritty 59 off 85 balls.
Had a taste of second grade last year and across all grades totalled 383 at 22.5.
UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES (Sixers Conf: 2022-23, 10th)
ETHAN JAMIESON
Opening batter, leg-spin bowler
A NSW pathways regular throughout his formative years, the prodigious left-hander notched two scores above fifty last summer for the Aussie U19 side against England.
An aspiring leader, the 20-year-old is developing as PG’s skipper. Continues to impress as a right-arm leg spinner, and so far in the top grade this season he has 10 wickets across all formats.
JARED HUMPHREYS
All-rounder
Since arriving at UNSW, the North Coast all-rounder has improved with both bat and ball. In third grade last season, the right-hander struck 329 at 29.9 and returned 15 wickets at 25.8 with his medium pace.
Took the new ball in his first PG’s outing this season and also top scored with a run-a-ball 71.
JEFFREY BADROUS
Opening batter
Badrous is a right-hand opener who transferred from Sydney during the off-season. Struck a season best 64 in second grade against Sydney Uni and backed it up in PG’s with a brisk 55.
WESTERN SUBURBS (Thunder Conf: 2022-23, Finals)
HARJAS SINGH
Top-order batter
Still only 18, this stylish lefty notched his maiden first grade century as a 16-year-old. A Basil Sellers scholar, Singh scored heavily for NSW Metro at last season’s nationals and has just returned from a tour of England with the Australian U19 side.
Showed his class in the opening round of PG’s, blasting six maximums in a whirlwind knock of 115 from 97 balls.
ARNAV RAINA
Opening batter
An attacking right-hander, Raina is settling in at the top of the order for Wests in both the Belvidere Cup and T20 Cup. Lit up Bankstown Oval with four sixes in the first round of PG’s.
FARHAN ZAKHAIL
Batting all-rounder
A former captain of Afghanistan at U19 level, the 20-year-old is one to keep an eye on. A highly skilled right-hander, Zakhail opened the season with a half century in first grade against Fairfield-Liverpool, and in his first seven outings has scored 215 runs at 35.8.
Provides value with his right-arm offies.
SG Moore Cup: Title decided with final-over thriller
There were in incredible scenes in the SG Moore Cup as the tournament was decided by the finest of margins in a final-over thriller.
‘Crucial exposure’: First look at young rugby players touted as future Wallabies
They have been rivals some days, teammates on others and now this close-knit group of young rugby players will share the honour of wearing an Australian uniform for the first time.