The young guns who lit up VSDCA’s junior competition

The 2025 JG Craig Shield showed Victoria’s boy’s cricket talent runs deep. We profile 30 of the best performers.

Ranen Gandi was the competition's leading run scorer.

The 2025 JG Craig Shield unearthed more rising cricket stars to keep an eye on going forward.

Brighton claimed this year’s title after winning a thrilling grand final against Melton.

Take a look at 30 of the best leading performers.

Liam Adair, Ivanhoe

Enjoyed a fine tournament with the bat finishing with 205 runs at 41 with a high score of 60. Also impressive in the field with six catches and a run-out.

Sam Alford, Melton

A standout competition behind the stumps. Set the record for the most catches in a Craig Shield game, with eight. His overall stats were 16 catches, six run-outs and three stumpings.

Ayan Arya, Brighton

A consistent bowler throughout the tournament finishing with 15 wickets but was also valuable at the top of the order.

Kaevish Bhasin, Brighton

Was a leading force with the bat for the Tonners, scoring consistent runs and taking regular wickets throughout the tournament. Finished with 16 wickets at 15 and 223 runs at 24.78.

Cooper Box, Bayswater

Clean in his duties as a wicketkeeper completing catches, run-outs and stumpings consistently. An 81 in the final game showed his ability with the bat.

Elliot Brown, Yarraville

The Eagles skipper showed off his all-rounder ability throughout the tournament with 173 runs at 86.5 and took 11 wickets at 9.36.

Kanan Budhiraja, Oakleigh

A strong bowler throughout the tournament for his side, highlighted by two four-for games.

Luke Cameron, Coburg

Enjoyed a stunning run with bat and ball. Hit two half-centuries and won a game with a hat-trick.

Tom Corrie, Oakleigh

Named the South’s group player of the tournament after stunning all-round figures. Scored 261 runs, including three 50s, at an average of 43.5. Also took 11 wickets at 16.09.

Mitchell Crooks, Balwyn

Made consistent runs for his side, highlighted by a half-century against Mt Waverley. Also picked up three wickets.

James Damiano, Brighton

Brilliant throughout the entire tournament, consistently leading the way with the bat for the premiers. Scored 328 runs at 54.67 and showed his class with the gloves too.

Harry Denning, Yarraville

Clean behind the stumps throughout the tournament with 15 catches including a game-high of five.

Ranen Gandhi, Oakleigh

Finished as the competition’s leading run scorer with 389 runs at 48.63 including four half-centuries. Also took 11 wickets.

Arjun Itankar was the west group's best player.

Arjun Itankar, Melton

Named the best player in the west pool after an outstanding tournament as his side reached the grand final. Hit 371 runs at 53 with three half-centuries along the way.

Dunitha Kalupahana, Strathmore

One of the best bowlers in the tournament after finishing with 14 wickets at an average of 7.43.

Kaiden Kilpatick, Oakleigh

One of the leading performers for his side in the competition with 188 runs and eight wickets.

Viraj Kumaran, Mount Waverley

Kumaran took out the East group’s player of the tournament award after scoring 241 runs at an average of 60.45. Was one of the best wicketkeepers in the competition with nine catches.

Viraj Kumaran was a standout for Mt Waverley.

Patrick Macafee, Malvern

Showed plenty of promise as a wicketkeeper-batsman. Showed off his power hitting ability in one game when he hit 57 off 53 including five 6s.

Lachlan McKay, Brunswick

One of the leading all-rounders throughout the competition scoring 220 runs at 31.43 and taking 12 wickets at 7.58.

Oscar McKeown, Brighton

A leading force in his side’s run to the premiership taking 15 wickets at an average of just 8.87. Also showed his ability with the bat when he scored a half-century against Moorabbin.

Peter O’Malley, Ormond

Finished as Ormond’s leading run scorer for the tournament on the back of two half-centuries to close out the tournament.

Riyan Prajapati, Elsternwick

Took consistent wickets throughout the tournament, finishing with 13 at 10.85.

Ali Saleemi, Brunswick

Enjoyed a strong tournament with the ball as one of Brunswick’s leading performers. He took 14 wickets at 8.21.

Henry Stone, Preston

A leading bowler with the ball throughout the tournament with figures which are almost difficult to believe. He bowled 36 overs including 15 maidens for 12 wickets at 3.75. He conceded just 45 runs and was named the best player in the north group.

Harry Stone was the player of the north group.

Nikhil Suresh, Yarraville

Finished with a team-high 14 wickets throughout the competition at an average of just 10.79. Had some good moments with the bat including a 47.

Hugo Thompson, Ormond

The leading wicket taker in the competition with 17 at an average of just 7.65. Also proved to be handy with the bat when required.

Jerone Viknarajah, Taylors Lakes

Was impressive with the bat throughout the season after he scored 188 runs at 94. Also took four wickets.

Muhammad Abdul Wasay, Melton

The pick of the bowlers for the runners-up after finishing with 15 wickets at 11.27.

Jacob Wellington, Kew

Emerged as a strong batter who could contribute in the field. Consistently scored runs and finished with seven catches.

Charlie Williamson, Balwyn

Finished as the leading bowler for his side after taking 14 wickets at a lowly 7.36. Had some nice innings with the bat as well.

Zane Wunhym, Bayswater

A consistent wicket taker, finishing with 15. He had best figures of 5-7 against Box Hill.