NSW Premier Cricket 2021/2022: 50 players to watch, young talent, BBL guns, rising stars
They are young guns, players on the rise, BBL guns and veterans. We have spoken to presidents, coaches and those in the know to pull together our 2021/22 NSW Premier Cricketers to watch list.
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From rising stars to NSW head-turners and players keen to make their mark – these are the players to watch during the 2021/2022 NSW Premier Cricket season.
Some of the big names will be missing from matches due to state or BBL commitments for chunks of the season but there’s plenty of hungry cricketers keen to take their place in the Sydney grade competitions.
Here’s a list of some of the players to watch this season.
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JACK NISBET – SYDNEY CRICKET
Jack Nisbet picked up a rookie contract with the Blues in the off-season and the club is looking forward to seeing what the young quick brings to them this season. He made his debut last season and cracked the final open with three wickets in Sydney’s victory over Manly.
JUSTIN MOSCA – SYDNEY CRICKET
He played alongside his brother Anthony last year but his sibling has now moved to Tasmania. Mosca is an opening left handed batsman. A nuggety batsman, he can dig in when the going gets tough and scored a brilliant T20 100 last season.
BEAU MCCLINTOCK – SYDNEY
McClintock was Player of the Match in the Belvidere Cup finals against Manly last season with his sixth first grade century – and the fourth of the 2020/21 season. A leader with bat and gloves and once in is hard to get out. Known to excel under pressure and make big runs in big games.
KAIN ANDERSON – SYDNEY CRICKET CLUB
Kain Anderson is a Newcastle player who has moved south for his cricket and is playing for Sydney cricket. In his debut for Sydney during the 2020/21 NSW Premier Cricket season he took 4/30 in his opening first grade match.
ANTHONY SAMS – RANDWICK PETERSHAM
Well known wicket keeping batsman and a very experienced member of the squad.
A club stalwart and leader who is expected to be a top performer for the club and a stable influence in the middle order.
RILEY AYRE – RANDWICK PETERSHAM
The left arm spinner and top order batsman is expected to make a big impact for the Randy Petes this season. Ayre, who originally hailed from the Hunter Valley and played Australian u19 cricket, is known for his great attitude and being a good team player.
DAYA SINGH – RANDWICK PETERSHAM
Has the captaincy role he will share with Jason Sangha at Randwick.
Singh, who hails from Seven Hills, is expected to lead the new ball attack and play a part in racking up runs in the middle order.
ETHAN JAMIESON – UNSW
Comes into the new season fresh off his HSC exams and was captain at Westfield Sports high at Fairfield, the old alma mater or Michael Clarke and Hannah Darlington. Left-handed, middle order batsman who bowls a little leg spin. This young gun played at the club for this first time last year and made his first grade debut.
JACK ATTENBOROUGH – UNSW
Right handed opening batsman and former under 19 NSW player who broke through for a number of centuries last season. Will be looking for higher honours with a top performance in grade. Has been with the club since he was 14.
SAM SKELLY – EASTERN SUBURBS
Made his first grade debut for old club Campbelltown Camden district in the 2017/18 NSW Premier Cricket season and is a former member of the Australian under 17s team who also played grade cricket in Canberra from the age of 15. Honed his skills with Crookwell junior cricket association and is a sharp, fast right arm bowler.
JONO COOK – EASTERN SUBURBS
Cook made his Twenty20 debut for Sydney Thunder in the 2018/19 Big Bash League season. Originally from Port Macquarie, the 31-year-old leg spinner is a former O’Reilly medal winner with Western Suburbs. The right arm leg spinner took 13 wickets last season for Thunder, including best figures of 4-21 in the eliminator final.
GREG WEST – MANLY
A fast, left arm bowler and former Mosman player who has joined Manly to train with fast bowling coach Morne Morkel. Extremely quick and expected to impress after injuries last season. Pushing to break into the NSW squad.
RYAN HADLEY – MANLY
One of the few player at Manly from outside the northern beaches but heads into his fifth season with the club. In NSW squad as a rookie and when Manly have him, he will open the bowling with Greg West. Quick and hits the wicket hard. Was one of the top three bowlers in the comp last year.
STEVE O’KEEFE – MANLY
Manly are hoping to have the legendary veteran SOK in their line-up for a few early rounds before the Big Bash starts. A top class player who has helped Manly to a 90 per cent win rate when he is playing. One of the hungriest and best spin bowlers in grade cricket with his mentoring of young players invaluable to the club.
JOEL DAVIES – MANLY
His brother Ollie has been turning heads for some time and this season could be the time for Joel Davies to do the same. Has just completed his HSC and was the leading batsman in second grade last season and player of the match in the season decider. This young gun was kept in second grade for experience last season but expected to make a big impression in first grade In 2021/2022.
LACHIE HEARNE – MOSMAN
Lachlan Hearne is just 20 but has already made his first-class debut for the Blues. Hearne debuted for NSW in the last Sheffield Shield season and made 50. He also played for Australia at the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. This Whales player is a left-handed top-order batsman and has been upgraded from a rookies contract with NSW.
LIAM DODDRELL – PENRITH
A NSW Under 19 fast bowler and lower middle order batsman. With the Penrith club his entire life, he scored a lower grade 100 two seasons ago. He is very quick, raw but extremely talented. Considered one of the most exciting players in the game, quick and aggressive and the club is expecting big things from this youngster who played first grade last season.
TYRAN LIDDIARD – PENRITH
Penrith are hoping this youngster will back up and go on to higher honours in the game.
The batsman keeper is likely to open in the short format and likes to play shots, scores quickly and pressures the opposition. The son of former NRL professional Glenn Liddiard, he played for clubs including tennis and Parramatta in his heyday, scored three hundreds last season.
RYLEY SMITH – PENRITH
A multi-talented young cricketer who also plays rugby league and was in the Australian use 16’s team along with state squads. A top order batsman who is likely to open in the short format and bat middle order in two day matches. Very strong for his age and an aggressive. batsman who can score quickly.
DYLAN HUNTER – GORDON
A former Randwick Petersham player who originally hailed from Newcastle and joined the club two seasons ago. Hunter will be batting four in the early stages and bowls left arm finger spin. Hunter turned heads in the T20 last season and captained Gordon in this comp, helping the club into the playoffs.
LACHLAN BARNSLEY – GORDON
Gordon is fielding a similar team to last year and Lachlan Barnsley is one the club is expecting a good season from. He has had two and a half seasons in first grade and will bat number three for the side. The 21-year-old originally hailed from Lismore and is part of the clubs country program.
BEN PARSONS – GORDON
One to follow is Bathurst player Ben Parsons. A player on the rise, he made his first grade debut for Gordon last season and shone in the short form game. A powerful player who is a fast bowler and middle order bat. He also played a few games of T20 last season.
AIDEN BARIOL – UTS NORTH SYDNEY
Aiden Bariol has been with the Bears for a number of seasons and has proved his worth with a number of hundreds. A gifted player with the bat and gloves, he is one of the back bones of UTS North Sydney. This wicket keeper batsman has in the past played for Manly and Sutherland.
TOM JAGOT – UTS NORTH SYDNEY
The big-hitting Tom Jagot was a joint winner of the O’Reilly Medal for men’s first grade player of the year last season. The right-hander made 1000 run across all formats during the 2020/21 season. He is expected to be a big hit for the club again this seasons.
MAC JENKINS – UTS NORTH SYDNEY
An up-and-comer who is a left arm orthodox bowler and bats middle order. Joined the Bears in 2019/20, having previously made his first grade debut for Randwick-Petersham. A player with talent and skill.
NICK LARKIN – SYDNEY UNI
Nick Larkin hails from Taree and made his move to Sydney Uni back in 2008 before being named captain in 2015. A top order batsman who honed his skills at Taree Wests Juniors, he is a run-scoring machine for the club and valued for his skill and experience. A former NSW player and long-serving member of the Melbourne stars.
HAYDEN KERR – SYDNEY UNI.
Hayden Kerr is contracted to the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming BBL season and is also in the NSW squad. This 25-year-old batsman is an all-rounder who bowls left arm, fast medium.
JORDAN GAUCI – SYDNEY UNI
Former Blacktown captain and right-handed batsman now playing for the Students. His pedigree includes playing Australian Under 19 cricket. A cricketer the club is excited about with a sound batting technique and playing his first season at Sydney Uni.
TIM CUMMINS – SYDNEY UNI
Tim Cummins is the brother of Aussie paceman Pat Cummins and the Sydney Uni captain this year. A wicket keeper batsman who scores plenty for the club as a middle order batsman. Last season he scored a century early in Sydney Premier Cricket.
KALEB PHILLIPS – ST GEORGE
A young talent who played with great promise last season for the club. Last season was his first full one in first grade and the club are expecting good things from the young middle order bat who hails from the south coast.
NICK STAPLETON – ST GEORGE
Comes into the new season off a brilliant 2020/21 where he was named joint winner of the Bill O’Reilly award. Is reportedly in good touch with the bat and predicted to have another memorable season for the club after a strong showing in trials.
LUKE BARTIER – ST GEORGE
A left-handed middle order batsman and a medium pace quick bowler. Has been with St George – which is celebrating its centenary this season, since his junior years and is looking good with both the bat and the ball this season.
ARJUN NAIR – FAIRFIELD-LIVERPOOL
A 23-year-old BBL veteran, Nair is tipped to feature prominently with bat and ball this upcoming season. A mainstay for Sydney Thunder for the past five seasons, the right-arm mystery spinner is expected to bowl a heavy load while batting up the top of the order.
LUKE OHRYNOWSKY – FAIRFIELD-LIVERPOOL
An experienced campaigner with the Lions, Ohrynowsky is tipped by those inside the club to come of age as a batsmen with a greater sense of maturity at the crease. The middle-order batsman has a strong all-round game and reads the match situation extremely well.
COREY MILLER – NORTHERN DISTRICT
A bright up-and-coming cricketer, Miller is one of the most promising prospects at Northern District. The teenage left-handed opening batsman has been selected in a NSW under-19 pathways squad, the Australian under-19 preliminary 2022 World Cup squad in the past 12 months, and was recently announced as a recipient of a Basil Sellers scholarship.
ROSS PAWSON – NORTHERN DISTRICT
A hustling quick bowler who has been a mainstay of the Rangers bowling attack for the best part of a decade. With the ability to get a bit of movement off the ball, Pawson is capable of shaping up a batsman. The inside word is the pace bowler has shaken off some injury concerns and is primed for a big season.
HUNAR VERMA – BLACKTOWN MOUNTIES
A promising right-arm fast bowler, who has signed a rookie contract with NSW, is one to watch for Blacktown this coming season. The 20-year-old, who stands a whopping 2m tall, is shaping to be a constant threat.
SMIT RAVAL – BLACKTOWN MOUNTIES
A dangerous leg spin bowler who ended the 2020/21 season in white hot form with three consecutive seven wicket hauls, Raval has all the tricks with the ball in hand. Will be one of the key men for Blacktown.
HARJAS SINGH – BLACKTOWN MOUNTIES
At 16, Singh has spent more time at the crease than most his age with the batsman accumulating runs like there is no tomorrow. The middle order batsman will debut in first grade in the opening round and is well prepared, chalking up a number of centuries in second grade and Green Shield last season.
YIANNI THEODORAKOPOULOS – BLACKTOWN MOUNTIES
The Poidevin-Gray captain will be a key player in first grade as an opening batsman, with his strong batting technique laying a strong foundation for his team. If Blacktown are having a bumper season, expect Theodorakopolous to have played his part.
JAKE FAWCETT – BLACKTOWN MOUNTIES
A left-handed batter who is highly capable of punishing anything deserving square of the wicket. Fawcett, who has previously played first class cricket in Western Australia, has been proven performer in the grade scene accumulating 900-plus runs across the 2019/20 season.
JACKSON ISAKKA – CAMPBELLTOWN-CAMDEN
Few will be better prepared than top-order batsman Isakka who has enjoyed a successful off-season campaign in the Northern Territory in the Strike League. The 20-year-old and reigning Ghosts player of the year will look to continue his run-scoring ways this season, as well as chipping in with some more than handy medium pace deliveries.
TOBY FLYNN-DUNCOMBE – CAMPBELLTOWN-CAMDEN
New Ghosts recruit Flynn-Duncombe is expected to open the batting for the Ghosts, with impressive trial form has club insiders hopeful of a strong campaign. Most recently playing for Blacktown, the young batsman has been previously mentored by well-regarded coach Neil D’Costa.
TOM DOYLE – SUTHERLAND
The talented batsmen, set to feature high up the order for Sutherland, has impressed in a short pre-season with club insiders believing he is ready to “rock and roll”. The 24-year-old is known to attack the ball head on with his stroke play often leaving bowlers scratching their heads.
CHRIS WILLIAMS – SUTHERLAND
One of the most experienced campaigners at Sutherland, the reliable opening batsman is set to retain his role of the rock of the batting line-up. The 34-year-old skipper is a prized wicket for opposition teams and doesn’t often come cheap.
TOM PINSON – SUTHERLAND
A dangerous fast bowler returning to the Sydney grade cricket scene after plying his trade in South Australia, Pinson is tipped to be among the wickets for Sutherland this season. Standing about six foot four, Pinson’s height leads him to be an awkward proposition for opposition batsmen.
DANIEL SOLWAY – BANKSTOWN
One of the most prolific scorers in grade cricket in recent years, Bankstown opening batsman has begun the season in red hot trial form when onlookers have said he hasn’t looked like getting out. The 26-year-old has a first class average of 39.6 and scored a century on his NSW debut in 2019.
BRAD SIMPSON – BANKSTOWN
One of the fastest young quicks in the state, the talented up-and-comer has earnt himself the strike bowler tag in recent campaigns. Simpson represented Australia in the 2020 under-19 World Cup and is capable of using his speed and length to challenge opposition batsmen and clean up the tail.
NICK BERTUS – PARRAMATTA
The skipper of the Parramatta outfit, left-handed top order batsman Bertus is expected to figure greatly in the upcoming season. The 28-year-old has played in recent seasons with Sydney Sixers in the BBL and has chalked up a century at first class level. His ability to turn starts into big scores will be appreciated by teammates across the season.
RYAN HACKNEY – PARRAMATTA
A left handed opening batsman, Hackney will join the Parramatta first grade XI from Penrith Cricket Club. The 22-year-old is strong off the pads and is well-suited to the longer formats of the game and is expected to play a stable role in the batting line up. A contracted NSW Blues player, Hackney is ready for a strong season.
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