Women’s under-16 NSW cricket Country Championships: ultimate guide, players to watch for the tournament
The best U16s women’s cricketers from regional NSW will descend on Queanbeyan for the country championships. Find out how the teams are shaping up and which players to watch.
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As we work our way well into the 2023/24 representative season it’s time for the under-16s girls to take centre stage, with the Country Championships to kick off next week.
All eight zones will head to Queanbeyan for the carnival, in which all teams will play one 50-over match and four T20s to determine who is the country champion for 2023.
With many of the players having already featured in under-19 and Country Bash tournaments this season, it will be a chance for them to make a statement against players their own age.
In addition, the tournament acts as a key trial for the under-16 NSW Country squad, which will take on the country’s best at the national carnival in January.
Catch up with a preview of all sides, as well as a rundown of some of the players to watch in the tournament.
Central Coast
The Central Coast will come into the carnival with plenty of confidence as five of the zone’s under-19s country championship-winning side will line up again in the under-16s.
“That holds them in good stead. They know what the winning formula is,” said team manager Veronica Brown.
Indeed, in addition to their talent, Brown says the fact that most of the players have come through the female development pathways together means that the team should gel very well.
“They’ve played a lot of cricket together through the under-13s and development carnivals that we’ve had. They’re all used to playing together and have already got quite a good team bond.”
With talent all over, Brown believes the team’s dangerous pace attack, consisting of Layla Graham, Olivia Mitchell and Scarlett Sheridan, could well give it an edge in the tournament.
And while they will no doubt be gunning for an under-19s/under-16s double, Brown says the team will be taking a broader mindset into the carnival.
“We want them to all perform at their individual best, and if they’re all doing that, because of the team dynamic and them all having been together for a while now, I think that the wins should come along with that,” she said.
“We hope they can come away from the carnival having developed their own cricket and having learned from the experience.”
Ava Drury
Not just the captain of the side but quite simply one of the most talented players in the under-16 age group, the all-rounder is almost the complete package with her dangerous left-arm orthodox bowling and excellent batting.
Drury was outstanding in the Central Coast’s under-19s country championships win, finishing the tournament with the most wickets and eighth-highest run tally to deservedly earn a spot in our team of the tournament.
Layla Graham
A really exciting fast bowling prospect, Graham showed bucket loads of ability and maturity during the under-19s carnival, picking up five wickets across the week and memorably scoring a crucial 15 not out in the low-scoring final against Western to help get the Central Coast over the line.
“She’s a big, tall fast bowler and she’s really developing her pace and being consistent in that pace, which is lovely to see, because she’s put a lot of effort into her bowling,” said Brown. “She’ll be one to watch, for sure.”
Rejoice Mudavose
Another of the Central Coast’s triumphant under-19s team, the wicketkeeper has well and truly showed her value with some excellent glovework behind the stumps and handy middle-order runs.
“She’s definitely made the keeping position her own. She’s the go-to keeper for both the 16s and the 19s,” said Brown.
Central North
Last season’s beaten finalists will be looking to go one better this time round when they hit the field in Queanbeyan.
And despite being without the services of gun all-rounder Caoimhe Bray – who is remarkably representing NSW Country at the under-19 National Championships in Brisbane – and Brooke Moran, Central North will still take a very talented squad to the tournament.
With star batters like captain Sophie Parsons and a strong bowling attack, particularly when it comes to spinners, there is quality all over the park.
However coach Eddie McGuirk believes the team’s attitude and ability to react to setbacks will be key to its success.
“It all comes down to mindset. They’re all about the same in ability but it depends on how they handle the pressure, especially in a T20,” he said. “If you lose wickets early, we need at least one of the top four batters to bat through to the final few overs for stability to make sure we bat through.”
Sophie Parsons
A very accomplished batter with shots all around the park, Parsons was a standout for the team at the under-19s tournament in September, belting 136 runs at 45 to finish as the third-highest runscorer.
Still young enough for under-16s, Parsons will once again skipper the side after remarkably being picked as captain for the under-19s carnival.
“She’s a leader on the field and off the field. It’s good for the younger players because they see what they have to do to reach that level,” said McGuirk.
Mia Gentle
Coming into the tournament in good form with the bat and with an incredibly safe pair of hands, the wicketkeeper batter from Tamworth is a key player for Central North that could very well put herself into NSW Country calculations with a strong showing.
“She’s quite a handy bat but she’s a very talented keeper,” said McGuirk. “She’s been fantastic behind the stumps. She’s got a lot of ability and a lot of potential.”
Georgie Leonard
Central North will be looking towards the young gun from Inverell for a big impact throughout the tournament, with her dangerous off-spinners and handy runs set to be crucial for the team.
Selected for the State Challenge earlier in the summer, Leonard can put herself on the radar of NSW Country selectors with a big tournament in Queanbeyan.
Greater Illawarra
After a disappointing showing in 2022/23 where they failed to pick up a win, Greater Illawarra come into this tournament optimistic with the squad they’ve put together.
“A couple of younger girls have come in, but mostly it’s the same group of girls who are a year older and a year wiser, which should set them in good stead for this year’s champs,” head coach Stephen Davies said.
“We’ve got a good mix across bat and ball, especially our medium pacers. Spin is an area we’re a bit deficient in, but I’m confident our medium pacers and top order bats can do a good job.
“I’d expect us to do better in the T20s, that’s what the girls have played more of, and they’ll have the opportunity to play four of those with the way the competition is structured.
“The goal from a coaching point of view is for the players to learn and enjoy themselves … I think if we do the little things well though we should win some games.”
Nicola Hudson
“An astute cricket mind for a young player,” according to Davies, Hudson will provide excellent leadership on the field for Greater Illawarra.
Returning for her second year in the competition, she’ll be much higher up the order this time and looking to lead with the bat.
Ella Yates
A skilful medium pace bowler, Yates will be looking to make a big contribution with the new ball, as well as picking up some runs in the middle order.
Cadence Waters
Another one looking to impact with the new ball, Waters swings it around a lot and will look to “make inroads and take early wickets,” according to her coach.
She’s also a handy source of runs in the lower order with her aggressive batting style.
Newcastle
The defending champions will take a talented side into the carnival as they look to go back to back in 2023.
Around 10 of last year’s triumphant team will return for another crack at the title, with the team stacked with talent across the board.
In addition, with the bulk of squad also having taken part in the under-19 country championships earlier in the summer, in which Newcastle finished third, the team should have plenty of high-quality match practice under its belt.
Madison Kedwell
The all-rounder was absolutely outstanding with the ball during the under-19s country championships, regularly claiming top order scalps as she finished with six wickets at 10 to make out team of the tournament.
A fearless cricketer, she’ll be one Newcastle looks towards with both the bat and ball.
Molly Dare
The fast bowler is another key strike weapon for Newcastle, with her ability to hit the line and generate pace and bounce set to make her difficult to face.
In addition, Dare has been in good touch with the willow this summer, scoring plenty of runs for Newcastle’s rep teams and Greater Hunter Coast in the Brewer Cup.
Felicity Wharton
Another outstanding Newcastle all-rounder, Wharton normally opens the bowling and bats in the top order.
At the under-19s championships she showed just how explosive she can be, putting an incredible spell to finish with figures of 4-7 against Greater Illawarra, and will be looking to do the same against cricketers her own age.
North Coastal
North Coastal will be looking to ruffle some feathers with a squad that features some talented young players within the NSW Country academy system.
With some of the squad already having tasted representative experience this season as part of North Coastal’s under-19s side, those players will be looking to lead their sides with some strong performances in Queanbeyan.
Lane Jordan
One of the top young prospects from the region, the 14-year-old fast bowler from Port Macquarie has plenty of pace and troubles batters with her ability to do a little with the ball both in the air and off the wicket.
Despite playing well above her age, Jordan performed well at the under-19s country carnival earlier in the season and will be looking to knock over a few top-order batters in the under-16s.
Stephanie Scouller
The bowler was among North Coastal’s best in September’s under-19s country championships, picking up six wickets across the week as she continually troubled batters with her deceptive length and speed.
This included an excellent three-wicket haul to rip through Riverina’s top order in what was a thrilling round two clash and a further two wickets in s strong display against Western.
Riverina
Riverina struggled at last year’s competition, failing to pick up any wins from their three pool games, before securing a consolation round victory over North Coastal.
However Morale is high ahead of this year’s competition, with manager Cath Wood optimistic her side is capable of pushing for a top-two finish.
“We’ve got a few younger girls coming in this year, which is really exciting for women’s cricket in the Riverina region to be growing still,” Wood said.
“We’re always a fantastic bowling side, as a lot of girls’ teams are, but I think we have a good mix this year.
“T20 games are where a lot of these girls are comfortable, with not a lot of exposure to the longer formats, so it will be interesting to see how they go and how they adapt to having more time batting.”
Mia Elliott
One young gun who has had some good long-form experience playing in senior men's divisions is Elliott.
She’s returning from a second knee reconstruction suffered while playing netball, but has returned “absolutely firing and raring to go,” according to Wood.
In particular, Elliott has been working on her batting, which she hopes as a left-hander will provide something different to the side, while also continuing to develop her bowling.
Khyla Gardiner
Henty young gun Gardiner has “come along leaps and bounds in the last 12 months,” according to Wood, and will be batting with great confidence in the tournament.
She’s coming off the back of a stellar stint at the under-15s Youth Championships in Singleton where she steered her side to victory with an excellent knock of 75 not out.
Matilda Tainton
Had a little taste of the Country Champs with the under-19s back in September, which should put her in good stead for this carnival.
A great leader for the under-16 side, she has a “fantastic cricket brain” according to Wood, and is dangerous with her medium-fast bowling.
She’s also a livewire in the field, described as “a little whippet who’s such a delightful ball of energy, great for the team”.
Southern Districts
Another exciting initiation into country cricket for Southern Districts, entering the under-16s competition for the first time as a newly established zone.
Co-coach Sharna Mitchell highlights the excitement that the squad and the zone as a whole have ahead of this tournament, especially given the home ground advantage that a number of her players have in Queanbeyan.
“There’s a lot of variety in the squad, we’ve got girls as young as 12 all the way to 16,” Mitchell said.
“They’re all great talents, it’s exciting for the girls on the south coast to have this pathway in place now.
“We’ll be trying to be competitive and have fun, a lot of the girls haven’t had rep exposure before, so we’re excited to see what they can bring to the table.”
Natalia Egan
Captaining the side is one of the eldest in the team, taking on the senior responsibility for the young group of cricketers.
Egan is a talented all-rounder, looking to flourish with her medium-pacers and dominate with the bat in the top order.
“She’s a strong player and very reliable with what she wants to do, that’s why she’s captain,” said Mitchell.
Sophia Galland
“She’s just a gun,” according to Mitchell. Just 13 years old, Galland is one who Southern Districts are hoping can remain in the pathway system for years to come. In fact, in a sign of the high regard she is held, Galland will take on the vice-captain’s role in this tournament.
Another all-rounder, she’s “zippy” with the ball and strong with the bat, while also great in the field.
Eloise Deighton
The silent assassin in the Southern Districts ranks, Deighton is the quiet achiever looking to make a name for herself.
Also just 13, she’s another who is sturdy with the bat and handy with the ball, while also providing a lot of energy in the field.
Western
After finishing third in last year’s tournament, Western are feeling positive ahead of this year’s campaign, with a number of their talented young guns having been a part of country state squads this year.
“It’s quite a different side to last year … there’s a number of 12- and 13-year-olds in the squad, so that’s promising and we’re keen to see what they produce,” head coach Andrew Litchfield said.
“There are some good young bats in there, a number of good young bowlers, a few handy spinners as well.
“There’s a lot of the younger girls who are technically good bats, but might not be strong enough to hit boundaries just yet, so the T20 style might not suit them at this stage.
“What we’re really working hard on is technical batting attributes, trying to get them a solid base to work on from a young age … we’re trying to get the girls used to playing at a slightly higher level and give them that attitude of loving their time being in the middle.”
Phoebe Johnston
Provides a rare point of difference with her leg spinners, a unique style for a 14-year-old.
“She’s really developing some nice variation there,” said Litchfield. “It’s very rare in the female game, I can’t think of anyone at the top level doing that, it’s a tough art.”
Simran Dhatt
Top-order batter who is very proficient technically and has improved significantly with her exposure to the Country State squad trainings.
Holly Reed
A tall young gun who opens the bowling with her right-arm medium pace deliveries.
She can also hit the ball hard and will look to pick up some runs in the middle order.
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