School Sport Australia cricket titles: Meet the junior NSW stars in Adelaide
The state’s best primary school cricketers are in Adelaide for the national titles including the son of a former Aussie Test star. Meet 24 boys and girls from NSW at the School Sport Champs.
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The best primary school cricketers in NSW are in Adelaide to compete in the School Sport Australia 12 Years and Under Championships.
Famous for helping launch the careers of current legends Steve Smith (Alfords Point Public School) and Ellyse Perry (Beecroft Public School), this year’s tournament will take place over six days from Sunday, December 1.
Gallant in last season’s grand final loss to Queensland, the boys head south keen for redemption. It’s a different story for the girls, who follow in the footsteps of an all conquering Blues side that claimed the title with an unbeaten run in Darwin.
Teams were selected from playing groups representing the state’s CIS schools, two Catholic zones and 12 public school regions.
The final squads of 12 were selected in October at the completion of the NSWPSSA championships held across regional NSW. The boys battled for spots in Armidale, while the girls headed to Bathurst.
Contested on turf wickets across 20 and 40-over formats, both NSW teams play six matches.
Meet the young stars representing NSW.
NSW GIRLS (COACH: KATE OWEN, SOUTH COOGEE PUBLIC SCHOOL)
ELODIE PHILLIPSON (LANE COVE PUBLIC SCHOOL)
A right-arm quick and fan of Ellyse Perry, Elodie booked her ticket to Adelaide following several game changing efforts for Sydney North in Bathurst. A consistent wicket taker, the Lane Cove gun also cracked a fine half century.
KAYA KUMAR (SHERWOOD RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOL)
One of two in the squad to hoist the shield in Darwin, Kaya returns as hungry as ever. An absolute run machine, the Hills Barbarians youngster has already topped 700 runs across all levels this season. Hammered a couple of fifties at the NSWPSSA champs, and for good measure took 14 wickets with her right-arm leg spin.
JANE CRUCKSHANK (GLENDALE EAST PUBLIC SCHOOL)
With plenty of spin options on the books, this Hunter keeper could be the icing on the cake. Loves to whip off the bails, and also accumulate runs like her favourite player Meg Lanning. A product of the Lake Macquarie club, she struck three fifties in Bathurst.
MIA GILBERT (MT ST JOHN’S, DORRIGO)
Another from regional NSW, Mia has risen through the ranks playing for Dorrigo in the Coffs Harbour competition. The Polding rep offers a point of difference with her left-arm leggies, and can be relied upon to limit the scoring through the middle overs.
GAYATHRI NAIK (RIVERSTONE PUBLIC SCHOOL)
With three appearances for NSWPSSA, this Phoebe Litchfield fan has just about seen it all at venues across the country. A born winner, the left-hander was a key figure in Sydney West claiming another title and with the ball her right-arm leg spin is usually delivered on point.
MICHELLE PHAM (ST ANTHONY’S, GIRRAWEEN)
Talk about having a good day out. Michelle not only picked up a hat-trick for MacKillop, the rising quick sent CIS packing with a match-winning 5/7. A danger when settled with the bat, the left-hander also notched a fifty in Bathurst.
MATILDA LETT (CAMBRIDGE GARDENS PUBLIC SCHOOL)
A rising force in Sydney’s west, the 12-year-old all-rounder recently made her debut for Penrith in the prestigious U18s Brewer Shield competition. Finished with a “bag” of wickets in Bathurst and also cashed in with the willow, scoring a career best 40.
MYRA GUGLANI (ARTARMON PUBLIC SCHOOL)
Those in the know say Myra hasn’t attended too many classes of late. And with an insatiable hunger for runs it is easy to see why. A powerhouse at the top of the order, in addition to three half centuries in Bathurst, she also hit an unbeaten 46 – still on the road, the right-hander also guided Artarmon to glory in the state knockout.
ELLA FINNANE (ST ANTHONY’S MARSFIELD)
While her teammates were put through their paces at Cricket Central, Ella was on the other side of town picking up a shot put silver medal. A Josh Hazlewood fan, the Epping Bulls quick also bowls a heavy ball and will take the new rock in Adelaide after a stunning 6/8 for MacKillop against Western.
DIVA PATEL (ROUSE HILL ANGLICAN COLLEGE)
Diva is a serious candidate to open the bowling for the Blues. Lists Mitchell Starc as her favourite player, and although she bowls with her right, just like the big man the Blacktown rep is capable of swinging the ball around a barn door.
KYRA PRAJAPATI (OUR LADY OF LOURDES, SEVEN HILLS)
A smiling assassin with all the cricket tricks, Kyra is an attacking force in the middle order and serious weapon in attack. Hit a near run-a-ball 52 at Bathurst, and the Hoxton Park junior also impressed with her ability to swing the ball both ways.
DRISTI ABHIJITH RAO (RIVERBANK PUBLIC SCHOOL)
Another from Hoxton Park, Dristi pouched 10-plus dismissals behind the stumps for Sydney West at the recent NSWPSSA champs. Reliable in the middle order, the right-hander also impressed selectors with a stylish 47.
NSW BOYS (COACH: RUSSEL McCOOL, THE KING’S SCHOOL)
HENRY GALLAND (ST MARY’S, CROOKWELL)
Multi-talented, Henry has also represented NSWPSSA in hockey. Plays his local cricket in the Southern Highlands where he has turned heads with his lively left-arm swing bowling. Handy under pressure, the right-hander scored 35 to help MacKillop win the title in Armidale.
JACK PALMER (GYMEA BAY PUBLIC SCHOOL)
Solid at the top of the order, it’s with the ball where the Sutherland Shire lefty comes into his own. A big fan of Nathan Lyon, Jack has learned how to consistently land his off spin on a handkerchief and strangle the opposition.
EMMETT PARSONS (THE KING’S SCHOOL)
The Winston Hills junior is another in the squad to have already represented the state. A promising gloveman and tenacious top order bat, Emmett spent seven days in Geelong early this year bumping shoulders with AFL elites.
ZACHARY MEACOCK (SACRED HEART MOSMAN)
With Tim Paine and Alex Carey topping his list of favourites, Zachary is motivated by slick glovework. And just like his idols, the right-hander knows how to bat and proved his worth with a fine 67 for MacKillop in Armidale.
TARUN JEGATHEESWARAN (GORDON EAST PUBLIC SCHOOL)
Tarun put his name on the list with a classy 82 for Sydney North. Loves to drive, especially through cover, and when it comes to favourite players the Lindfield cricketer is inspired by Dave Warner.
KAITO MORI (ST FELIX, BANKSTOWN)
Look out Adelaide, Kaito has his sights set on another trophy. A lethal left-armer, the Trent Boult fan carried MacKillop to glory with a grand final performance to remember. Bowling good heat, he swayed the contest with 3/9 from eight overs and doubled down with 50 off the blade.
TYSON JANSZ (ST CATHERINE SIENA, PRESTONS)
The Oran Park local still has a bee in his bonnet after last season’s narrow loss to Queensland. Now bigger and stronger, the leggie still gives the ball a big rip but has become more consistent. Mixes his pace and possess a well disguised wrong’un.
LEE HELMRICH (BROUGHTON ANGLICAN COLLEGE)
The Tahmoor Turtle showed he’s made of the right stuff during the semi-finals in Armidale. A quality leg spinner in his own right, inspired by the likes of Shane Warne and Virat Kohli, Lee dug in with the bat to save CIS with a crucial 37.
THOMAS O’SULLIVAN (ALDAVILLA PUBLIC SCHOOL)
One to watch in the 40-over format, Thomas has the patience to bat all day and scored heavily for North Coast at the recent rep carnival. Plays for Rovers in the Kempsey comp and enjoys the work of Steve Smith.
LAKYN TONKS (ST JOSEPH’S, BOMBALA)
There’s never enough cricket for this hungry speed demon. Based in southern NSW, he rolls the arm over for Bombala on Friday nights and backs up on Saturdays in the Bega comp. Another fan of Josh Hazlewood, the MacKillop pace bowler finished among the wickets in Armidale.
WILL WATSON (CRANBROOK JUNIOR SCHOOL)
The 11-year-old son of Shane Watson certainly knows where his bread is buttered. Didn’t hesitate to name the former Aussie star as his favourite cricketer, and with a fifty and four-wicket haul in Armidale, the hard hitting all-rounder and inswing bowler is a chip off the old block.
HARBAZ SINGH (THE KING’S SCHOOL)
Inspired by international heavyweights Shubman Gill and Dale Steyn, this Hornsby Ku-ring-gai rep has most bases covered. A serious danger with the new ball, the tall speedster recently used his height to record a stunning 5/22.
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