The 36 men and women set to light up NSW Regional Bash cricket this season
As the Regional Bash season continues across wider New South Wales, NewsLocal looks at the 36 men and women set to make their mark. SEE THE FULL LIST OF PLAYERS HERE
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THE finest male and female talent across wider New South Wales is on show with the return of the Regional Bash.
Teams from right across the state come together for the T20 tournament held at various venues, showcasing their love of the game.
With the season recently underway, NewsLocal looks at the 36 men and women to watch in this year’s Regional Bash.
MEN
BORDER BULLETS
DAVE TASSELL
Right-arm pace
Tassell’s right-arm pace is considered among the quickest in the Riverina. He had a huge series last year that included a five wicket haul against Wagga Wagga.
SHOAIB SHAIKH
All-rounder
Shoaib is no stranger to big occasions. Having played in the IPL, the right-hander oozes class with the bat and bowls handy leggies too.
LACHIE MCMILLAN
All-rounder
An under-23 representative, Lachie is a right-arm offie and skilled batter who doubles as a lightning fieldsman.
CENTRAL COAST RUSH
SHAUN EATON
Opening bat, right-arm medium pace
Captain of the side and is a hard-hitting batsmen who loves taking the game on. Represented NSW Country last season. Spent many years with Randwick/Petersham in Sydney.
CHRIS ARCHER
Left-arm orthodox
Arguably the best spinner in country NSW. A big game performer who has the ability to either take wickets or tie up the rate depending on the situation of the game. Former NSW Country player who has represented Central Coast for the past 10 years.
SCOTT BURKINSHAW
Right-arm fast, bat
Three-time Australian Country Merit player and seven times NSW Country player. Will be relied upon to make early breakthroughs and then restrict the runs last in the innings. Capable of late runs with the bat.
HUNTER THOROUGHBREDS
JOE PRICE
All-rounder
Does it all. Joe is an all-rounder and the side’s captain-coach. Has been a prominent player for Wests in Newcastle with the bat and ball and is great with assisting the development of all players.
JET LEE
Opening fast bowler
Like his namesake Brett, Jet is a young quick opening bowler. Still only around 18 years of age, the Maitland product shows great promise.
ISAAC BARRY
All-rounder
Still only 20, Isaac is a very experienced cricketer. He captains the Valley Cricket Club first grade side in the Singleton District competition and will most likely open the bowling with his right-arm pace and bat in the top to middle order.
ILLAWARRA FLAMES
MASON KING
Fast bowler
Still a young player and represented Greater Illawarra in the Country Championships last year. The first time people had seen him and made a big impression.
ANGUS CUMMING
Spin, middle order bat
Has been representing the side for a few years now and has prove himself as a talented lockdown spinner.
JAYDEN ZAHRA-SMITH
Top order bat
A very handy player at the top of the order who has gone through the NSW Pathways system and shown plenty of ability.
LAKE MAC ATTACK
DANIEL CHILLINGWORTH
All-rounder
Dan is a current NSW representative leg spinner. In addition to his bowling, he is a handy lower order batter and ranks as the side’s X-factor.
JOEY GILLARD
Top order bat
Joey represented NSW under-17 last season and is one to keep an eye on down the track. Dynamic in the field and a quality batting option, he joins the Regional Bash in good form having notched a ton in grade cricket during mid-October.
DANIEL BAILEY
Fast-medium bowler
A fast-medium bowler, Bailey’s consistent line and length under pressure earned him NSW Country honours last season. Also known as a clean striker of the ball, he brings serious clout to the end of Lake Mac’s innings.
NEWCASTLE BLASTERS
BEN PATTERSON
All-rounder
Ben is a devastating all-rounder. The right-arm paceman also hits the ball a mile and has represented NSW Country and the NSW Imparja side. He is a superb fieldsman and doesn’t mind bowling short either. Moved to Newcastle this season from Dubbo.
BEN BALCOMB
Top order bat, wicketkeeper
A vastly experienced keeper-batter, Balcomb is a hard hitting top order right-hander who has a good record against spin. He has won games for the Blasters previously.
DYLAN ROBERTSON
Left-arm orthodox spin, middle order bat
Considered an absolute matchwinner with bat and ball, Dylan is regular wicket taker with his left-arm orthodox spin and is known for his excellent late-order hitting. Returns to Newcastle after a couple of years at home on the Central Coast.
WAGGA WAGGA SLOGGERS
JOSH STAINES
Keeper-bat
Josh is a keeper batsmen originally from the RSL club in Wagga Wagga. Returning this year following a stint with the Canberra Comets, he’s the prized recruit that gives the Sloggers a genuine tilt at taking out the competition. He has represented the state in under-17s and 19s and has been a thorn in Wagga’s side when he has suited up as an opponent.
JOSH THOMPSON
Top order bat
A brilliant top order batsman in all forms of the game, Thompson doubles as captain and is also an accomplished spinner and keeper. He missed out on a big score in last year’s tournament, so will be determined to get among the runs this year.
HAMISH STARR
All-rounder
A Temora boy, Hamish is a star all-rounder and first year captain of the local Kooringal Colts. He played a starring role in the win against Murrumbidgee last year with his swashbuckling batting and death bowling. One to watch this year, a very exciting prospect.
WOMEN
CENTRAL COAST RUSH
GRACE DIGNAM
Bat, right-arm off-spin
Captain of the team. Former ACT/NSW Country U19’s captain who has plenty of Sydney Grade experience. Talented bat who has the ability to score big runs and a very crafty off spin bowler.
AMY CUNNINGHAM
Bat
Will open the batting and a player who has plenty of shots. Was the Central Coast’s leading run scorer in this competition last year.
ELIZA THOMPSON
Right-arm medium-fast, bat
At just 16 years of age Eliza is a very exciting talent. Has the ability to take early wickets with her pace bowling. Solid middle order batter. Represented NSW/ACT Country U16’s last year.
COFFS COAST CHARGERS
AJ OWENS
Top order bat
Returning after a long stint away from the game AJ is definitely one to watch across the tournament. A combination of technical elegance and power makes AJ dangerous with bat in hand.
HANNAH FAUX
Top order bat, right-arm off-spin
Hannah is an all-rounder of the highest quality. Plays 360 with bat in hand and can score quickly as well as being one of the best fielders in the game.
AVA RYAN
Wicketkeeper, top order bat
Ava is currently part of the Under 19s NSW Country Squad. Tidy hands behind the stumps and is developing as a solid top order bat.
ILLAWARRA FLAMES
DHARMINI CHAUHAN
Top order bat
Has gone through the NSW Pathways and captained the NSW U19s, such is the leadership she possesses. Plays for Bankstown in the women’s competition.
ANNALEE WATSON
All-rounder
Comes from the Highlands. Plays for Campbelltown in the open women’s competition and has made the NSW Country U16 squad.
TALEAH URSULAK
Bowling all-rounder
Comes from Illawarra and playing with the Plays for the St George club and will prove a vital player with both bat and ball.
NEWCASTLE BLASTERS
KATE MCTAGGART
Batting all-rounder
The club is confident she will be the next player from Newcastle to play for New South Wales, such is the ability of this young woman.
MADDI MCGUIGAN
Bowling all-rounder.
A star on the rise who made the Australian Merit U19s team last year. Newcastle is expecting big things from here this season.
SIENNA EVE
Left-arm orthodox
Bamboozles opposing batters with her bowling, and the club is excited to see how far she can progress within the sport.
RIVERINA BULLETS
JODIE HICKS
Opening bat, right-arm leg spin
Jodie took the leadership role on incredibly last year and the team lifted with her intensity and wealth of knowledge.
Jodie has a no-nonsense approach to the game which is vital in T20 cricket.
EBONY HOSKIN
Right arm Fast/Medium Opening bowler.
Ebony has come along leaps and bounds since last Season. With a breakers debut and a move to the big smoke Ebs is again our strike bowler and the vibe she brings to the team is infectious and hilarious.
CLAIRE MURRAY
Middle order batter. Right arm bowler.
Muz is that player you want in your team. Very capable with the ball.
Can open the bowling, can bowl tight in the middle overs if needed and solid in the back end of the game.
She is a very capable batter and turns the strike over well always looking to set up an innings.
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