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The Top 50 junior cricketers in Cairns, FNQ

There are plenty of gun cricketers across Far North Queensland, but we’ve pored over the stats and awards to bring you the best 50. SEE OUR LIST HERE >>>

The Far North is brimming with young cricketing talents, who have achieved much both locally and on the state and national stages.

We’ve crunched the numbers, looked at the accolades and poured through the fixtures to bring you our top 50 junior players gracing pitches in FNQ at the moment.

50 – Emily Jaszcyszyn, Weipa

It’s a fair distance to travel for the love of cricket from Weipa, but the Jaszcyszyn family make it happen with Emily herself proving an up and coming young talent as both a state and school rep.

49 – Dante van Vuuren, Innisfail/Tully

Another strong van Vuuren in a family of quality cricketers, Dante leads Tully’s Jimmy Maher Blue team with a season aggregate of 212 runs.

48 – Jake Bombardieri, Atherton

A quick bowler and Northern Flames representative, Bombardieri has claimed eight wickets for 87 runs in the Jimmy Maher Cup Gold comp this season.

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47 – Robert Thirkell, Rovers

A reliable 5th grade and Jimmy Maher Cup Gold player, Thirkell opened his 2021-22 season with a three wicket haul against Atherton.

46 – Sam Musgrove, Norths/United

The handy bowler has performed well for Norths in the junior competitions, earning a spot on the 2nd grade list this season.

45 – Ashleigh Macpherson, Norths/United

Selected to represent NQ late last year in under-13s cricket, Macpherson has a solid future in women’s cricket in the Far North.

Ashleigh Macpherson during the Queensland Cricket All Girls Cricket Colour Blast match at Griffiths Park, Manunda in 2020. Picture: Brendan Radke
Ashleigh Macpherson during the Queensland Cricket All Girls Cricket Colour Blast match at Griffiths Park, Manunda in 2020. Picture: Brendan Radke

44– Dane Salerno, Norths/United

Quality bowling runs with the Salerno name in Cricket Far North, with Dane himself taking 11 wickets across nine games this season.

43 – Jonathon Biddle, Rovers

A quality all-rounder who got his Jimmy Maher Cup Blue season off to a strong start with a half century against Norths.

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42 – Damon Leeds, Mareeba

The captain of Mareeba’s Jimmy Maher Cup Blue team has more than 100 runs and five wickets to his name for the season.

41 – Myles Howard, Norths/United

The gloveman for Norths in the juniors also is pretty solid with the bat and has been known to turn his arm over at the bowling crease as well.

Myles Howard is a gamer in many respects, pictured here prior to competing in the Football Queensland's E-series championships in 2020. Picture: Brendan Radke
Myles Howard is a gamer in many respects, pictured here prior to competing in the Football Queensland's E-series championships in 2020. Picture: Brendan Radke

40 – Curtis Wright, Norths/United

This all-rounder must like the number 18 because he’s averaging more than 18 runs per game and has 18 fours to his name.

39 – Braith Bragg, Norths/United

With more than 130 runs and six wickets to his name for the season, Bragg has every right to brag about his all-rounder status.

38 – Jackson Lindsay, Tully

The talented batsman is no stranger to the boundary, having struck 14 fours and three sixes so far this season.

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37 – Ruby Croxford, Norths

A Far North rep in the under-13 girls late last year, Croxford has her eyes on a start in top tier ladies cricket next season.

36 – Kai Wall, Barron

The skilled bowler and top end batter returned the figures of 3-15 against Tully earlier in February.

35 – Tallas Blaney, Atherton

The Atherton right arm spin bowler has had a quality season with 12 wickets for just 119 runs in 10 games.

34 – Indiana Edhouse, Norths

Well on the way to a start in A Grade, Edhouse made a statement taking 3-17 in a win against Mulgrave in round four of the Ladies 30-over competition last year.

Indiana Edhouse in 2020. Picture: Stewart McLean
Indiana Edhouse in 2020. Picture: Stewart McLean

33 – Karina Guglilmi, Innisfail

Playing in both the Ladies 30-over and the boys’ Jimmy Maher Cup Blue competition, the batter belted 40 runs in the former and 27 in the latter.

32 – Joe Barnes, Norths/United

This quality all-rounder had a real day out against Tully in January, hitting an unbeaten 77 which featured nine fours and a six.

31 – Kalan Wilson, Norths/United

The reliable all-rounder averages about 22 runs with the bat while conceding only 17 runs per wicket.

30 – Harry Halpin, Rovers

Halpin has been a captain, a keeper, and played well in both the Jimmy Maher Cup Gold and Blue competitions as well as 5th grade cricket this season.

Kalan Wilson, 11 at the Edge Hill Tennis Club in 2020. Picture: Brendan Radke
Kalan Wilson, 11 at the Edge Hill Tennis Club in 2020. Picture: Brendan Radke

29 – Charlie Lawrence, Rovers

This Rovers opener has had a cracker of a season at the crease, topped by a century against Barron in October.

28 – Seno Franklin, Barron

A three wicket performance against Norths in October has Franklin near the top of the wicket-taking leaderboard in the juniors.

27 – Angus Vikionkorpi, Atherton

The Northern Flames rep has proven capable as a quick bowler in Atherton’s junior competitions and 5th Grade.

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26 – Indie Palmer, Atherton

A North Queensland rep who has made strides in her very early cricketing career.

25 – Jaden Bakurski, Norths/United

A top talent in the Norths’ list, Bakurski has more than 200 runs and 20 fours this season.

Junior cricket at Griffiths Park
Junior cricket at Griffiths Park

24 - Lachlan Vella, Innisfail

Boasting about 19 fours and a handful of sixes pegs Vella as a quality middle-order batter in the Jimmy Maher Blue competition.

23 – Brooke Butler, Mareeba

Playing in the Ladies 30-Over competition as well as the boys’ Jimmy Maher Cup Blue comp has paid dividends for Butler, who has plenty of runs and wickets under her belt this season.

22 – Elisha Ayson, Norths

A state hockey player just as skilled with the bat, Ayson has had a solid season batting for Norths in the Ladies 30-Over competition.

21 – Kobi Johnston, Atherton

Selected in NQ’s under-16 rep team late last year, Johnston has scored nearly 200 runs for Atherton this season.

Kobi Johnston was a joint winner of the Atherton junior cricket rep player of the year with Alex Nasser in 2019. Picture: supplied
Kobi Johnston was a joint winner of the Atherton junior cricket rep player of the year with Alex Nasser in 2019. Picture: supplied

20 – Dayne Margiotta, Rovers

Runs and wickets come easily to this Rovers opener, who plays with Rovers’ Jimmy Maher Cup Gold team and its 5th grade side in both one day and T20.

19 – Isaac Nasser, Atherton

Quality cricket runs in the Nasser family – Isaac has scored more than 200 runs and seven wickets this season.

Atherton Cricket Club's growing Nasser clan. Lewis Nasser, Isaac Nasser, Alex Nasser, Roley Thomas, Augie Nasser in 2020.
Atherton Cricket Club's growing Nasser clan. Lewis Nasser, Isaac Nasser, Alex Nasser, Roley Thomas, Augie Nasser in 2020.

18 – Banjo Jenkins, Douglas/Rovers

The young batting gun led the Darling Dingos to a Brisbane Premier League victory and topped the competition's batting aggregate with more than 150 runs.

17 – Owen Macpherson, Norths/United

Boasting both a comp-high 14 wickets and one of the best economy ratings going at about 2.94 has Macpherson is one of the best bowlers on this list.

Owen Macpherson at the T20 Easter Cricket Cup on at Walker Road in 2019. Picture: Stewart McLean
Owen Macpherson at the T20 Easter Cricket Cup on at Walker Road in 2019. Picture: Stewart McLean

16 – Thomas King, Rovers

King is no slouch when it comes to hitting the stumps, taking nearly 20 wickets across the Jimmy Maher Blue and Gold competitions combined.

Rovers Blue under 17 years cricketer Thomas King. Picture: Brendan Radke
Rovers Blue under 17 years cricketer Thomas King. Picture: Brendan Radke

15 – Patrick Jones, Norths/United

With two four wicket games and nearly 300 runs to his name across junior competitions, 5th and 2nd Grade cricket, Jones is well on his way to being a top player in CFN.

14 – Jack Porter, Mulgrave

With multiple half centuries and even a nifty five-for to his name this season, Porter is a gun with both bat and ball for Mulgrave.

Jack Porter in 2019. Picture: Brendan Radke
Jack Porter in 2019. Picture: Brendan Radke

13 – Daniel Brennan, Rovers

Brennan has started his year off on the right foot, compiling 200 runs in the Jimmy Maher Blue competition and taking 3-15 for the Rovers’ 5th grade team the next day.

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12 – Phillip Cleall, Mareeba

Scoring more than 200 runs in Jimmy Maher Blue competition as well taking a handful of wickets, Cleall is making waves for Mareeba and plays in the club’s 4th grade team as well.

11 – Nathan Daley, Atherton

One of the top batsman in the Jimmy Maher Blue comp, Daley is just shy of cracking 300 runs for the season.

10 – Ian De Lange, Mulgrave

This under-12s right arm bowler, left hand batter is already one of the best bowlers in the competition, with 20 wickets to his name in the juniors this season.

9 – Alex Nasser, Atherton

“Big Rig” Nasser has well over 300 runs heading into 2022, having knocked up big scores across Jimmy Maher Gold, 2nd and 1st grade cricket so far this season.

8 – Gareth Thomas, Norths/United

As consistent a batter as they come; Thomas was another state rep selection who’s belted more than 300 runs across various comps and grades this season.

7 – Austin Stuart, Tully

The sniper of a bowler has claimed 14 wickets to top the Jimmy Maher Blue comp – this included a 5-18 performance against Rovers.

6 – Marcus Carruthers, Rovers

In the Jimmy Maher Cup Gold junior competition, there’s been no one nastier with the bat than Carruthers. The green, mean run-scoring machine leads the competition with 335 runs at an average of 33.5 after 10 games.

5 – Henry King, Rovers

With 18 wickets and more than 200 runs for Rovers in junior and 5th grade cricket, King reigns supreme when it comes to reliability.

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Badgers bowler Aidan Beach appeals during the 2021 Barrier Reef Big Bash. Picture: Stewart McLean
Badgers bowler Aidan Beach appeals during the 2021 Barrier Reef Big Bash. Picture: Stewart McLean

4 – Aidan Beach, Mulgrave

This under-16s bowler has spent his entire season playing 1st grade for Mulgrave, taking 11 wickets overall. At under-16s representative level, Beach also had a quality showing in Bundaberg for NQ.

3 – Aidan Firman, Norths/United

The batting gun has accumulated an astounding 500 runs across three grades so far this cricket season, leading Norths’ second grade side with an aggregate of 227 runs.

Seth McGinty with his father former Rovers captain, coach and life member Josh McGinty in 2020. Picture: Stewart McLean
Seth McGinty with his father former Rovers captain, coach and life member Josh McGinty in 2020. Picture: Stewart McLean

2 – Seth McGinty, Rovers

A young quick bowler who’s just as handy with the bat, McGinty has made his family – including club life member Josh McGinty – proud with his continued growth.

Playing for the club’s first grade one day side this season, McGinty has shown promise eith the ball. The teen talent has also impressed with the bat as a tailender, including a recent game-winning performance in the Barrier Reef Big Bash in which he struck two runs on the final ball to win the tourney for the Designer Home Dare Devils.

He also took a five-for for NQ in the under-16s late last year.

Kairi teenager Amy Hunter, 16, was awarded the 2021 Jodie Fields young cricketer development scholarship. Picture: Brendan Radke
Kairi teenager Amy Hunter, 16, was awarded the 2021 Jodie Fields young cricketer development scholarship. Picture: Brendan Radke

1 – Amy Hunter, Atherton

As far as Far North guns are concerned, none are batting above their weight more than Hunter. The 16-year-old star has achieved much in her young career as a junior female cricketer.

Hunter has already represented the region and the state on many fronts, including the under-15 Queensland country squad, under-13s and under-15s school teams and more recently playing in the Brisbane Premier League for the Southside Rockets.

The right arm quick shows no mercy on both sides of the crease, playing both men’s and women’s cricket for Atherton in CFN.

Don’t be shocked if you see Hunter in a baggy green in a few years – she’s in a league of her own and only getting better.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Leave us a comment below of who you think is FNQ’s best junior cricketer below!

harrison.murtough@news.com.au

Originally published as The Top 50 junior cricketers in Cairns, FNQ

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/cairns/the-top-50-junior-cricketers-in-cairns-fnq/news-story/1de3afb956c08d3d20bde33040e71729