Darwin comedian Amy Hetherington signs up with PINT Cricket Club as a new recruit
After tackling burlesque and making a baby, a Darwin comedian has set her sights on her next big challenge: mastering cricket.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After successfully tackling the disparate worlds of stand up comedy, burlesque to having a baby in recent years, Darwin comic Amy Hetherington was actively searching for another annual challenge.
The native Western Australian says she chases a fresh hobby each and every year to “make sure I keep living”.
So while watching the women’s cricket on TV just after Christmas, Hetherington suddenly found her next hurdle to scale.
“Every year I try to do something different,” Hetherington told the NT News, a former sports journalist.
“Just to make sure I keep living.
“The hobbies I have taken up since then has been more in the arts world.
“One year I did burlesque, last year’s thing was having a baby which I think took up enough time.”
The Darwin comic, who had grown up watching the game, thought the women’s version appeared a lot more attractive than the men’s over summer, who were smashing England 4-0 in the Ashes.
“Summer means sitting around with a beer watching cricket,” she said.
“I thought: ‘I’m sick of backyard cricket, let’s level it up a bit’.
“It’s about time to have a crack.”
Hetherington, who has called the Territory home for the past eight years, had not played cricket proper since primary school in her native Albany, where girls were not able to play at high school level.
So making up for lost time, Hetherington shelled out on cricket kit before the women’s season starts on Friday.
“I’m one of those people who is ‘All the gear and no idea’,” she said.
“I just went out and bought everything.
“I’ve got a mallet to work the bat in, I’ve gone hardcore into it.
“It will be entertaining to say the least.”
She has also got in the habit of walking around the block, holding a ball, while practising her bowling action.
“Everyone (in the neighbourhood) thinks I’m insane,” she said.
“Maybe I’m the next Shane Warne, you never know.”
A lover of cricket’s two Bs – bowling and banter – Hetherington believes she’s in a fortunate position.
“I like that about cricket, you can be a bit cheeky,” she said.
“If I keep writing down this banter I think I’m going to have a brand new show about cricket, and then all the gear I’ve bought can be tax deductible.
“It’s either me screwing up my whole cricket journey and making a fool of myself and having a show, or I’m really good at cricket... either way I can’t lose.”
Hetherington is one a few new recruits at PINT who haven’t played an official game before, but have benefited from several months of pre-season training down at Marrara.
“If we can bowl the ball straight a couple of times I think that will be a win for us,” she said.
Darwin’s Tom Menzies makes best-of team at Under 19 championships
Darwin player and Northern Territory representative Tom Menzies has been selected in the best-of team from the Under 19 national championships in Mackay.
While the Territory finished at the bottom of Pool B with two wins and three losses, Tom Menzies was recognised for his consistent performances, taking six wickets at 19.66 from four games.
His best match with the ball came against South Australia were he claimed 3/13 in a four-wicket victory at Great Barrier Reef Arena.
On Thursday, the young Eagle said he was stunned to be selected
“I wasn’t really expecting it at all,” Menzies said.
“You could probably see me shaking standing next to the other boys (during the ceremony), but it was an honour to be selected.
“It was the last thing I was expecting, I’m pretty overwhelmed right now with these emotions.”
He was also proud to be part of an NT outfit which scored several wins at the tournament.
“We got a couple of wins under our belt, that doesn’t usually happen with us,” he said.
In their final game against South Australia on Thursday, a T20 fixture, the NT made 5/127 off their 20 overs (Jayllen Naganayagam 51), which was passed with 10 balls to spare.
After the game, Naganayagam said youngsters Menzies, leg spinner Charlie Smith and medium pacer Charlie Kemp had “taken charge” during the tournament.
“They really carried our bowling attack,” Naganayagam said.
Naganayagam was pleased to finally produce a decent score after slowly building over the tournament.
“It felt good to finally get some runs out there but sad we couldn’t get over the line,” he said.
“I felt like I did the preparations right but didn’t execute well.
“I’m glad I could finally do it in the last game.”
Nathan Brackens backs Darwin’s push for a one day international
Playing an international match in Darwin later this year is a great “opportunity to grow the game”, former Australian bowler Nathan Bracken has told NT News.
The Territory is firmly in the frame to host a one day international against Zimbabwe in August, with Cricket Australia due to make a decision this month.
Bracken played in the last international match in the Territory nearly 14 years ago in September, 2008 against Bangladesh — back when Kevin Rudd was PM, and smart phones were far from the essential devices they are today.
It’s why the left arm quick, who took 174 one day wickets at a miserly 24.36 in the green and gold, said Darwin was long overdue to play host again.
“It’s an opportunity to grow the game,” Bracken told NT News, who took two wickets from those three games against Bangladesh.
“It’s about developing cricket and putting, I guess, areas (like Darwin) on the map.
“Playing games across the Top End... should almost be something that rolls on (after summer), it just happens.”
The five-Test bowler, who now works for a major building company in NSW, said this August was the perfect opportunity to provide international cricket to a starved NT audience.
“They’re the teams that should be playing there,” he said of Zimbabwe.
“If you chucked it in Sydney, you’d have 10 people.
“It’s an opportunity to get your pitches to the standard that they want without ridiculous pressure.
“Why can’t an (Australia) A team play during the winter and play a series up in Darwin and Cairns?”
He said that 2008 tour, which included players such as Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson, felt like a holiday at times.
“It was different, it felt like you were away from home but you weren’t,” the father of two said.
“It felt like you were away playing overseas, but you’re in Australia with all the creature comforts and things you know about Australia.
“Up there... the local people wanted you to do things, wanted you to be involved in things.
“There was always an opportunity. As soon as we hit Darwin... it was a constant.
“(Plus) the rich culture the place does have, which a lot of places around Australia don’t.”
One of those unique opportunities was Bracken and then fielding coach Mike Young entering the famous Cage of Death at Crocosauras Cove.
“Youngy was a bit bigger than me so I was hoping he’d be a bit more of an attraction to the crocodile that I was,” he said.
Bracken said the Top End trip was simply one of the more carefree tours he went on.
“Having the more laid-back approach, it’s a lot more enjoyable,” he said.
“If you want to go anywhere (in Sydney or Melbourne), you’ve got to plan your day around it.
“Whereas up there... you had time, it was 10 or 15 minutes wherever you wanted to go. It made life easy... it was amazing.”
Bracken enjoyed his time in the Top End so much, he returned for a couple of corporate gigs: “Because of the time and enjoyment that I had... it made it easy to go back.”
Most importantly from a cricket perspective, Bracken felt the local cricket facilities were good enough at the time, too.
“The facilities were good, there was nothing wrong with the facilities, the pitches were good, they were a little bit slower than what you’re used to,” he said.
“But you get that around the world don’t you?”
Meanwhile, PINT cricketer Simon Lavers, who played a match against Bangladesh in 2008 as part of the Chief Minister’s XI, which included D’Arcy Short, said local facilities had improved dramatically over the past 14 years, especially at Marrara.
The installation of $2m floodlights at DXC Arena has also made it a venue capable of hosting first class matches.
“I feel there’s now more opportunity to lock in touring teams than ever before with the support of Cricket Australia,” Lavers said.
“In the past we haven’t had the facilities looking like they do now, this is a credit to NT Cricket.
“Seeing how Marrara has transformed into the natural home of cricket has been pleasing to see, just looking at the ground now makes you want to be there, either playing or (as a) spectator.”
Cazalys Arena pitch labelled ‘horrendous’ by Darwin skipper
Reigning premier Southern Districts have crumbled in pursuit of Darwin’s 7/165 at Cazalys Arena, losing 8-39 on a wicket described as “horrendous” by Eagles captain Connor Hawkins.
In the first round of Darwin and District Cricket Competition’s 50-over fixtures, the Crocs were in relatively safe waters of 2/95 with Dean Fry and Tim Garner at the crease.
However, Fry’s dismissal – bowled by seamer Kristopher Denby – triggered a batting collapse as Denby claimed 5/24 off five destructive overs.
Hawkins did not mince his words while critiquing the pitch post-match, saying some players not overly thrilled playing at Cazalys Arena.
“The wicket was horrendous, it’s not a very good cricket wicket,” Hawkins said.
“It was below average, it wasn’t dangerous, it just wasn’t the best cricket wicket.
“For the spinners it was doing a bit, (but) it was two-paced and slow.
“A lot of blokes aren’t happy playing here, but we just have to get on with it.
“It could be a really good venue with a decent wicket”.
He said his team’s score was worth up to 250 runs on a decent strip and implored his bowlers to have a simple strategy.
“I said just bowl at the stumps and let the pitch do what it wants,” he said.
Earlier, the Eagles built a defendable total through consistency down the list, with five scores between 18 and 33 — the latter being opener Anthony Adlam’s effort.
At DXC Arena, play was suspended due to rain with Nightcliff in the fifth over of its chase of Tracy Village’s 202 off 48 overs, on the back of Antum Naqvi’s 109 off 114 deliveries.
For the Tigers, Braden Taeuber (2/21), Nachiket Sant (2/22) and Andrew Richards (2/48) were amongst the wickets.
Nightcliff then reached a reduced target of 88 within a revised 15 overs (Josh Brown 37, Jacob Pawlowicz 3/8) with six balls to spare.
Also at Marrara, Palmerston compiled a competitive 6/176 as Alex Bleakley (45), Hamish Martin (38) and Charlie Bignell (33 not out) chipped in.
In reply, PINT cruised to victory with (Dhanusha Gamage 65 not out) five wickets in hand, and remain undefeated after two T20 wins last weekend.
Nightcliff demolish Tracy Village following monster hundred from William Blair
A monster innings of 159 off just 87 balls from Nightcliff’s William Blair has seen the Tigers demolish Tracy Village by 297 runs in B Grade.
Coming in at number three, Blair went at a strike rate of 182.76 as Nightcliff posted a huge 5/386 off just 40 overs at Tracy Village Oval, complemented by Byron Gale (65) and Mansukh Singh (51).
Some Tracy bowlers copped some absolute hammer, in particular Augustine Antony (0/42 off three overs) and Aaron Patel (2/59 off five).
In reply, Tracy were never in the hunt, dismissed for just 89 as Finn Gray took 5/13 off 7.4 overs.
At Cazalys Oval, PINT easily reeled in Palmerston’s 91 (Charlie Buddle 5/16 off eight), with Bilal Abbas (38) and Santosh Kumar (33 not out) guiding the ship.
Darwin also demolished Southern Districts by 153 runs at Kahlin Oval, with the Crocs rolled for 57 chasing the Eagles’ 210 (Dylan Slater 77, John Flynn 39), as Greg Brautigam (4/17), Shannon Smith (2/1) and Don Pathirana (2/27) did the damage.
For Districts, Casey Turner (3/23), Andrew Bourne (3/38) and Tom Harvey (3/58) were the pick of the bowlers.
Meanwhile, Waratah were wobbling at 8/85 (Pukar Bhandari 4/31, Hari Paramjyothi 2/5, Boney Sebastian 2/15) when the match was abandoned after rain affected the synthetic pitch.
Northern Territory draw first blood at Under 19 national champs
Northern Territory has drawn first blood on its Under 19 national championships campaign with a four wicket win over South Australia in Mackay on Sunday.
The match at Great Barrier Reef Arena was reduced to a T20 fixture due to bad weather.
Darwin’s Tom Menzies grabbed 3/13 off four overs – supported by Jaxon Treumer (2/20) and Devlin Webb (2/12) – as the Redbacks were held to 9/94 off their full 20 overs.
The Territory had stumbled to 2/1 in reply – losing Banjo Waring and Jayllen Naganayagam for ducks – before Awad Naqvi (34 off 44) and Harshtik Bimbral (20 off 28) combined for a steadying 35-run partnership, as the NT won with four balls to spare.
Northern Territory almost steal win over Country Victoria in Under 19 champs
Young Darwin all-rounder Charlie Kemp has been the find of the Under 19 national championships so far in Mackay, NT coach Adrian Gallagher says.
Gallagher told NT News the 16-year-old medium pacer had been a key reason why the Territory almost pinched victory from nowhere against Victoria Country in round one of the championships on Thursday, claiming 2/36.
Chasing 224 for victory, the southerners were relatively cruising at 1/110 before the two Charlies but on the clamps — Kemp and Nightcliff’s Smith (3/43) with his leg spinners.
Gallagher said before the tournament Kemp had been seen as a “fringe” player but was now an integral part of the squad.
“The captain’s actually turned to him to change the game,” Gallagher said.
“He bowled really well, young Charlie Kemp changed the game early on.
“He’s one of the youngest members in the team... he really broke up their batting.
“He kept the batsmen under pressure the whole time. He didn’t let them free their arms and they got frustrated with that.
“He’s almost one of the first or second selected at the moment.”
He also praised Awad Naqvi’s patient 78 off 113 rocks opening the batting as NT posted a competitive total.
“His role was to anchor, and have the other guys work around him, and he did that perfectly,” he said.
“He had to go long, and it worked perfect for us.”
However, an unbeaten 45 from Riley Mark, who has played cricket in Darwin previously, guided Vic Country to the finish line after stumbling to 8/196.
Gallagher said he was proud of his team for fighting back when the campaign appeared lost, with an edge flying just wide of the keeper with one wicket needed.
“They don’t get any closer,” he said of the loss.
“We almost pulled it off. I couldn’t have asked any more. It just needed a bit of luck there at the end.
“They stayed with it, whereas in the past the NT may have dropped their heads.
“They played well, they played hard, and it really did take that one guy (Mark) to get them over the line.
“That happens in a game of cricket.”
In round two on Friday, Gallagher said NT lost crucial wickets trying to keep in check with Duckworth-Lewis requirements with rain looming, bowled out for 188 with 52 balls remaining in answer to Tasmania’s 8/273, with Kemp taking 3/38.
He said rain lashed the ground as soon as the match was over.
Gallagher said there was a chance Sunday’s match against South Australia could be washed out with plenty of rain forecast over the weekend.
He said the squad had benefited from solid preparation in the lead up to the event, with NT traditionally accused of being “slow starters” in national championships.
Strike League calls for nominations
The Men’s Strike League returns in June as NT Cricket widens its net calling for player nominations.
The competition – which consists of 50 over matches on Sundays and T20 games on Wednesday nights – will run from June 26 to August 7.
The four Strike League teams – Desert Blaze, Southern Storm, City Cyclones and Northern Tide – will have 13 player per squad.
Players can be nominated by peak bodies in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia or be selected by NT Cricket.
The ACT will send players north this season after it didn't last year.
Players in the Darwin and District Cricket Competition can also nominate themselves at ntcricket.com.au
The Territory had the highest number of player representation at last year’s Strike League with 20.
NT Cricket received 120 online nominations last year.
Nominations must be completed by 4pm on April 22.
Meanwhile, it is also seeking player nominations for the inaugural Under 19 Women’s Junior Strike League, which will be held from June 27 to July 1.
A T20 format, the competition will involve one team consisting of NT players and up to four invitational teams from interstate.
Players can nominate by 4pm on April 19 at ntcricket.com.au
Palmerton and PINT enjoy spotless starts to cricket season
Palmerston and PINT cricket clubs have enjoyed spotless starts to the Darwin and District Cricket Competition.
After easily disposing of University Bulls on Saturday at DXC Arena by nine wickets, Palmerston beat Waratah by eight runs in round two of the T20 competition on Sunday.
Hard-hitting Queensland recruit Connor Carroll (44 off 29 balls) was the linchpin of Palmerston’s 5/146, while Corey McDean chipped in with 35 off 31 deliveries.
Udara Weerasinghe and Ishara Gange both returned 2/28 off their full quota of overs for Waratah.
However, the Warriors were restricted to 7/138, with Austin Umpherston the best with 44, as young leg spinner Jayden Chatto (2/14) and Tanner Coulthart (2/26) shone with the ball.
Meanwhile, PINT’s 6/150 (Coby Edmonstone 45) was six runs too many for University, despite the efforts of Bijaya Lamsasl (33) and Muhammad Faheem (33).
For PINT, Tharindu Balasooriya (3/17) and Lachlan Roughley (3/35) were the pick of the bowlers.
In the early game, Tracy Village captain Josh Kann’s 95 underpinned his side’s monster score of 4/193 against Darwin, with support from Antum Naqvi (44) as Marc Calkin claimed 2/39.
In reply, the Eagles mustered 9/176 (Tom Frawley 34, Dylan Slater 30) as Kann (2/18), Naqvi (2/23) and Jaxon Treumer (2/22) did the damage.
However, all games at DXC Arena’s second ground were cancelled following a downpour on Friday.
Waratah cruise to ten-wicket win
Waratah has handed the Territory’s most promising youngsters a lesson in its first dip into Darwin senior cricket this season, passing NT Academy’s 7/114 with eleven balls to spare on a stifling Saturday at DXC Arena.
The comfortable win came as Darwin and District Cricket Competition’s fixtures were thrown into turmoil after heavy rain on Friday afternoon, effectively cancelling all T20 games at the arena’s second ground over the weekend.
However, much like the downpour, the runs continued to flow for Warriors captain Isaac Conway.
After pounding 535 runs at 53 in the top flight for Port Adelaide over the summer in SACA Premier Cricket, including three hundreds, he continued in similar, numerical fashion with an unbeaten 53, combining with Port Adelaide compadre, Austin Umpherston — a handy support act with 45 not out off 51 deliveries.
Earlier, Awad Naqvi’s 28 at the top of the order was the academy’s best offering with the blade as Madura Weerasinghe cashed in with 2/17 off four overs.
Conway was happy with the win but admitted there were areas to improve on, as Waratah coughed up 20 extras.
“We’ve got to work on that and just get a bit sharper in the field,” Conway told NT News.
“It was pretty tough conditions, it was a pretty hot, we were struggling a bit.
“I like batting with Aussie (though), we’ve got a good partnership going.”
He was expecting a harder hit out against Palmerston on Sunday, but was unsure if star bat James Seymour was playing for Waratah this summer, dependent on Melbourne Renegades’ involvement in the upcoming Strike League.
“We’re trying to gel together as a team as quick as we can,” he said.
Meanwhile, Palmerston has opened its season with a commanding nine-wicket win over University at DXC Arena on Saturday.
Batters Harshtik Bimbral (51 not out off just 31 balls) and Corey McDean (37 off 23 rocks) combined for a 76-run stand for the second wicket, easily reeling in University’s meagre 8/103, in round one of the T20 competition at Marrara.
Queensland recruit Connor Carroll smote a few heavy balls before he was caught at mid-wicket for 18 off eleven deliveries.
Earlier, Palmerston were simply too slick in the field, affecting three run-outs plus a one handed catch from wicket keeper McDean.
Contributing to the win was 17-year-old spinner Jayden Chatto, who claimed 1/13 off three overs, bowling Mostofa Mahin for 24.
“(I bowled) pretty well for the first two overs, the third wasn’t as good,” Chatto said.
Chatto, one of 10 Palmerston players selected in the Darwin NT Cricket Academy, said the experience had helped his bowling “heaps” so far, improving his flight and turn.
“It’s been good, the extra training sessions,” he said.
The 17-year-old has set himself the benchmark of 50 wickets this year, including 10 in A Grade.
In the late game, which was delayed due to rain, PINT’s 3/152 was too many for the academy, who responded with 4/134 (Awad Naqvi 37, Sam Elder 36).
Southern Districts load up with talent
It’s fair to say Southern Districts have recruited well over the off season, signing up Redbacks all-rounders Corey Kelly and Sam Kerber, along with Victorian representatives Xavier Crone and Tom O’Connell.
Those four will also be complemented by former PINT skipper and three-time premiership player Tim Garner at the Crocs, with the Darwin and District Cricket Competition starting on Saturday with 10 T20 games at DXC Arena.
At Nightcliff, the Tigers have recruited News South Wales Sheffield Shield bat in Param Uppal while Tracy Village have signed Victorian Shield rookie off-spinner and Australian Under 19 representative, Todd Murphy.
In other moves, Tracy’s Awad Naqvi has joined Palmerston, while Jackson Edmonstone will not return to the club and his brother Coby is unsure if he will play this season, captain Josh Kann has told NT News.
GET ALL THE INS AND OUTS FOR SEASON 2022
Southern Districts
Last year: Premiers.
A Grade captain: Matt Hammond.
Ins: Tim Garner (PINT), Corey Kelly (Sturt, South Australia), Sam Kerber (Adelaide University, South Australia), Tom O’Connell (Victoria), Xavier Crone (Carlton, Victoria).
Out: Jackson Isakka (UK).
Dean Fry:
“We’ll have our core boys again, four or five boys, we’ve grown up together playing in the juniors, it’s a great base to start your team with, Daniel Mylius, Matt Hammond and Nathan Hangan, and the imports will fill in around that. We’ve got a great support crew at the club, our committee’s outstanding. There’s always expectation when a team wins (the premiership) and has to follow it up, but we’ll keep playing our brand of cricket, have fun and play for each other.”
Waratah
Last year: Runners up.
A Grade captain: Isaac Conway.
Coach: Udara Weerasinghe.
Ins: Caiden Eaton (WA Second XI), Tim Reynolds (UTS North Sydney), Sam Geyer (South Brisbane), Roby Lane (Northcote), Jagadesh Koduru (Nothcote).
Outs: Yash Pednekar, Jonathon Caderamanpulle.
Isaac Conway:
“Most of the blokes who came up last year have come back and a couple of new faces... a couple of handy inclusions... (but) the same group from the last couple of years we've had some success with, so hopefully we can continue that. I had a broken finger (in July) so I was pretty flat... I’m pretty hungry for this season. I missed the back half of the year, I was pretty flat about missing finals, the club means a lot to me, it hurt a lot.”
Darwin
Last year: Third.
Coach: Jake Reed.
A Grade captain: Connor Hawkins.
Ins: Jake Reed (Footscray), Dylan Brasher (Nightcliff, Footscray), Matt Calder (Mosman), Dhruv Kant (Paramatta), Shehan Sinnetamby (Mosman).
Outs: Harry Chamberlain, Beau Webster, Mitch Fuss, William Foley.
Connor Hawkins:
“(New coach) Jake Reed, he’s a Vic boy, we’re pretty stoked with him, and a couple of Sydney boys (too). We’re pretty happy (with the squad). It’s a young team, (I’ve asked them to) just be fearless, play how you want to play. If you get out, you get out, nobody means to. That’s why we brought them up, play the game that you’ve played (before). It’s up to them. We’re looking all right.”
Tracy Village
Last year: Fourth.
A Grade captain: Josh Kann.
Ins: Todd Murphy (Victoria), Riley Mark (Victoria), Josh Hoffman (Woodville, SA), Tim Cummins (NSW).
Outs: Awad Naqvi (Palmerston), Jackson Edmonstone.
Josh Kann:
“I think we’ve recruited pretty well. Todd Murphy from Victoria is playing Shield cricket at the moment. Jacko’s not playing this year, he’s gone back to Perth and Koby... we’re not too sure about him yet. I think our juniors and locals... can help us out this year too... young Jaxon Treumer is going to be handy. And young Zayden Lewis.”
PINT
Last year: Fifth.
A Grade captain: Sanka Wijegunarathna.
Ins: Harry Massey (Geelong CC), Liam Blackford (Geelong), Dhanusha Gamage (Casey South Melbourne), Kavvy Saini (Blacktown Mounties).
Outs: Tim Garner (Southern Districts).
Sanka Wijegunarathna:
“We are going to a have around 10 imports, and already three are here now currently. So I hope the team will be very strong. The right people will get the right opportunity.”
Palmerston
Last year: Sixth.
A Grade captain: Alex Bleakley, Hamish Martin.
Ins: Awad Naqvi (Tracy Village), Connor Carroll (Queensland).
Outs: Oscar Osborn-Corby, Liam Sparke.
Hamish Martin:
“It’s exciting, we’ve got some good juniors, a blend of everything. If anything, very similar set up (to last year) with Alex leading the side, he’s going to do the majority of one day and red ball stuff. A similar group to last year will be key for us, not much has changed. We had a good thing going last year, when we were hot we were pretty hot. Having a similar First XI to last year will hold us in good stead I reckon.”
Nightcliff
Last year: Seventh.
Coach: Michael Hancock
A Grade captain: Raveesh Srivastava, Josh Hartill.
Ins: Smit Doshi (Blacktown Mounties), Braden Taeuber (Dandenong), Caelan Maladay (Sydney University), Yuvraj Sharma (Fairfield-Liverpool), Raveesh Srivastava (Fairfield-Liverpool), Josh Brown (Northern Suburbs), Param Uppal (University of Tasmania).
Outs: Dylan Brasher (Darwin), Ryan Hackney, Joel Curtis, Ryan McElduff, Tushaar Garg.
Raveesh Srivastava:
“We’ve got to have confidence in what we bring. It’s all about the community we have to build as individuals, as imports as well, if we do that I think the club will be in a good headspace. Yuvraj (Sharma) has been in the News South Wales system... he’s played a couple of games for Australian Under 19s, he’s one we expect to play well.”
Southern Districts pull of huge recruiting coup
Reigning premier Southern Districts have produced an impressive off-season recruiting coup, poaching four players who have represented their state and a three-time premiership player from local ranks.
The Crocs have recruited Redback all-rounders Corey Kelly and Sam Kerber, and Victorian representatives Xavier Crone and Tom O’Connell, a leg spinner.
However, to top things off, Districts have also signed three-time PINT premiership player Tim Garner.
He was one of PINT’s best Premier Grade bats last summer with 392 runs at 35.64
Garner, who lives at Humpty Doo and skippered two of PINT’s three consecutive premierships last decade, told NT News the Crocs had been chasing him for at least a year before he made the "hard” call to switch clubs.
“I live out that way so it’s just more convenient for me,” Garner said, who started playing at PINT in 1998 as a junior.
He said it would only take him five minutes to get to training as opposed to more than half an hour at PINT.
“They’ve been chasing me for a few years. I just thought a change... why not,” Garner said.
“It was hard because I’ve got so many good friends at PINT.
“It came down to a few different things, it’s much more convenient to play out there.
“I’ve always got along well with the boys at Southern Districts. That made the decision easier.”
He was also lured by the prospect of premiership success, with Southern Districts chasing back-to-back flags after beating Waratah by seven wickets in last year’s decider.
“I’m not getting any younger, now is the time to win a few premierships if it’s possible,” he said.
“It’s all about the premierships, it’s why we play.”
He also said recruiting the likes of Kelly, Kerber, Crone and O’Connell was one of the best off-season coups in recent times.
“We’ve got some good players,” he said.
“Fingers crossed they hang around for the whole season.
“It obviously makes spots like mine harder to come by because you’ve got some seriously good players who are going to want to bat in the top order.”
He also said Crocs has assembled an impressive group of local players to complement the imports.
“I think Southern Districts have probably got the best local crop of players as well,” he said.
“It’s almost unheard of now days.
“There’s a lot of local players who have gone by the wayside in recent years.”
Darwin and District Cricket Competition’s management committee president Lachlan Baird said it was similar to Darwin’s recruiting drive last year with first class players Beau Webster, Tom Andrews and Harry Chamberlain (New Zealand) playing for the Eagles.
“It’s a pretty significant... in terms of current and active Shield players, absolutely," he said of the Crocs’ off-season signings.
“From all reports... it’s absolutely out of the box in terms of guys who are here for the full season.
“It’s going to be a really strong year in terms of the guys who are in town here to play cricket.”
Two Darwin clubs produce half of the Territory’s Under 19 squad
Half of the Territory’s most promising Under 19 talent has come from two Darwin cricket clubs.
NT Cricket dropped its 14-member squad recently which will travel to Mackay for the Under 19 national championships next month, to be captained by Waratah cricketer Sam Elder with Nightcliff’s Michael Kudra as his deputy.
The squad contains Darwin’s Charlie Kemp, Tom Menzies and William Pilkington, and Jayllen Naganayagam, Nick Wheeler, Charlie Smith and Kudra of Nightcliff.
It includes several members who made the NT’s development squad which was dropped in February, including Smith and Pilkington.
The team will be marshalled by head coach Adrian Gallagher and assistant Himesh Silva.
NT Cricket Pathways Specialist Megan White said many of the players had missed the opportunity play in a national championships since 2019 due to Covid.
“There is no doubt we have the raw talent in this group of young men and I’m confident the team will come together and be competitive against the other states,” Ms White said.
Darwin-based players will play in the upcoming Darwin and District Competition T20 competition, which begins on April 2, in the lead up to travelling to Mackay.
The squad also includes top up players Devlin Webb and Ellis Sherriff.
MEET THE SQUAD
Sam Elder
Club: Gordon District Cricket Club.
Last season (B Grade): 38 runs at 9.5.
Highest score: 16.
Wickets: Three at 77.
Best bowling: 1/25.
Tom Kelaart
Club: University of Queensland.
Last season: (B Grade): 530 runs at 40.77.
Highest score: 91 not out.
Charlie Kemp
Club: Darwin Cricket Club.
Last season:
B Grade: 110 runs at 13.75.
Under 18: 406 runs at 50.75.
Highest score: 61 retired.
Wickets:
(B Grade) 14 wickets at 19.14.
Best bowling: 3/19.
(Under 18) 15 at 24.33.
Best bowling: 5/21.
Michael Kudra
Club: Port Adelaide/Nightcliff.
Last season:
(Port Adelaide, B Grade): 128 runs at 16.
Highest score: 48.
(Premier Grade): 110 runs at 15.71.
Highest score: 35.
Tom Menzies
Club: Darwin.
Last season:
(B Grade): 69 runs at 9.86.
Highest score: 13 not out.
(Under 18): 450 runs at 50.
Highest score: 74 retired.
Wickets:
(B Grade): 13 wickets at 16.
Best bowling: 3/14.
(Under 18): 13 at 19.54.
Best bowling: 4/19.
Awad Naqvi
Club: Fairfield-Liverpool/Tracy Village.
Last season:
(Fairfield-Liverpool A Grade): 90 runs at nine.
Highest score: 19 not out.
(Premier Grade): 111 runs at 22.2.
Highest score: 77.
Ellis Sherriff
Club: Sydney.
Last season (B Grade): 76 runs at 12.67.
Wickets: 15 at 20.53.
Best bowling: 3/44.
William Pilkington
Club: Darwin.
Last season:
(B Grade): 85 runs at 28.33.
Highest score: 62.
(Under 18): 596 runs at 74.50.
Highest score: 87 not out.
Wickets:
(B Grade) Seven at 34.43.
Best bowling: 2/26.
(Under 18): 12 at 21.17.
Best bowling: 3/12.
Charlie Smith
Club: Nightcliff.
Last season:
(Under 18) 307 runs at 51.17.
Highest score: 41 not out.
Wickets:
(Under 18): 10 at 18.8.
Best bowling: 3/20.
Jaxon Treumer
Club: Tracy Village.
Last season:
(Under 18) 328 runs at 41.
Highest score: 89 not out.
Wickets:
(Under 18): 12 at 21.33
Best bowling: 3/17.
Banjo Waring
Club: Federal
Nick Wheeler
Club: Nightcliff
Last season:
(B Grade): 88 runs at 12.57.
Highest score: 32.
(Under 18) 211 runs at 21.1
Highest score: 48 not out.
Bowling:
(Under 18): Five at 20.20.
Best bowling: 2/19.
Devlin Webb
Club: Sydney
Jayllen Naganayagam
Club: Nightcliff
Darwin and District Cricket Association drops short form fixtures
The Territory’s soon-to-be named Under 19 squad will take on the best T20 players in the NT as the sport’s peak body dropped its short form fixtures for the coming season.
The Darwin and District Cricket Association’s one day competition will begin on April 9, with both Premier and B Grade to play day-night matches again.
Two day-night fixtures will help kickstart round one of Premier Cricket – Southern Districts against Darwin and PINT taking on Palmerston – and in B Grade in round two, a Waratah against Southern Districts match.
There will be eight day-night matches in the Premier one day competition, including the grand final.
However, in a new initiative, the Territory’s Under 19 squad will contest the association’s Premier T20 competition, which begins with a cricketing feast on April 2 and 3, with 10 matches over the weekend across two pools of teams.
Cricket NT pathways manager Megan White said it would allow Territory rookies to be exposed to a higher level of cricket.
“There will be some first class players from down south, and stalwarts of NT cricket... it will hold them in good stead moving forward when they go away to the national championships,” Ms White said.
Further T20 rounds will also be held on April 20, then additional games in May, June and finals in July.
Darwin and District Cricket Association management committee president Lachlan Baird said it was an exciting opportunity for the academy team to play against older cricketers, with the concept happening in the past under an emerging players program.
“It’s been done before in the NT but not in the same manner,” Mr Baird said.
The Under 19 squad will contest the national championships in Mackay from April 7 to 14, which was initially postponed due to Covid.
Meanwhile, Baird also said Darwin and PINT will play another pink ball, two-day fixture this year in round nine (June 11 and 18).
He said both teams enjoyed the concept last year and were keen to revisit it this season.
More Coverage
Originally published as Darwin comedian Amy Hetherington signs up with PINT Cricket Club as a new recruit
‘No apologies’: Finocchiaro, BBC lock horns on age of criminal responsibility
The British Broadcasting Channel has taken an interest in Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro’s plan to lower the age of criminal responsibility, with an international reporter asking the CLP leader why she was not following the United Nation’s direction on jailing kids.
Driver taken to hospital after commute crash
A driver has been taken to hospital after a morning commute ended in a single vehicle crash near a major thoroughfare.